China opposes EU sanctions on Iran

Beijing, (IANS) - China has opposed the new sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) on Iran over its uranium enrichment programme, a media report said.

"We hope the relevant parties will adhere to diplomatic means on the issue," China Daily reported on its website quoting foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu Friday.

China maintains that the issue should be resolved through dialogue, she told reporters here.

EU foreign ministers Monday approved tougher sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt its uranium enrichment programme, including measures to block oil and gas investment.

EU's restrictive measures, which went beyond UN sanctions imposed June 9, followed a similar move by the US.

On July 1, US President Barack Obama signed a new Iran sanction bill into law, which was described by him as "striking at the heart" of Iranian government's nuclear ability.

Iran has submitted a letter to director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on resuming the nuclear talks.

The letter, jointly given by Iran's National Security Supreme Council and Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, expresses Iran's readiness to start uranium swap talks.

"We welcome Iran's move on the issue," said Jiang.

China hoped the talks between Iran and the Vienna Group, comprising the US, France, Russia and the IAEA, would start as soon as possible, she said.