Following trips to China by Western world leaders trying to persuade the Chinese to reduce their oil imports from Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi announced that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will soon travel to China, and a Chinese envoy will visit Tehran in the next couple of days.
The Fars news agency reports that Salehi announced on state television that Ahmadinejad will travel to Beijing at the invitation of Chinese officials.
He added that China’s deputy foreign minister will visit Iran in the next few days.
The Foreign Ministry announced that the Chinese envoy plans to discuss Iran’s nuclear dossier with the express aim of working toward the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1.
Western governments have been trying to persuade Asian countries to join in their new wave of sanctions against Iran. China has declined, stressing that the “only” way to resolve nuclear disputes with Iran is through negotiations.
The Chinese premier has said that the use of force will lead to confusion and chaos in the Middle East and the rest of the world, and it will not be in anyone’s interest.
Despite concerns from Western countries that Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons, Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful.
