Sunday, November 11, 2007

China to Push Suspension of Nuclear Program

China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over Iran's uranium enrichment program, the Chinese foreign ministry said today (Xinhua).

Last Thursday, China called on Iran to “respond positively” to international concerns about its nuclear program. Chinese request had come a day after Ahmadinejd announced that Iran has installed 3,000 centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

Chinese foreign minister’s upcoming visit to Tehran is seen by analysts as a direct pressure on Ahmadinejad to halt the enrichment program. China needs to cast a vote at UN Security Council later in the month for a new round of sanctions if Iran did not agree to halt the program. China would be under enormous pressure not to ignore Ahmadinejad’s latest remarks in voting on new sanctions against Iran. For China, halting the enrichment program would be the best option available.

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