AFP, Washington, April 13, 2010 – China is ’more open’ to sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, a German diplomatic source said Tuesday at the sidelines of a landmark nuclear summit.
The statement came amid conflicting signals about China’s stance over imposing new sanctions against Iran, which the United States and its allies accuse of covertly working on a nuclear weapon.
Iran says it is pursuing only civilian power.
’The German delegation has won the impression that China is now more open for sanctions against Iran,’ said a German diplomatic source as Obama opened the meeting among 47 nations in Washington Tuesday aimed at keeping atomic weapons out of terrorist hands.
On Monday, US officials said Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed during talks on the sidelines Monday to jointly push for new nuclear sanctions on Iran.
But Chinese officials said sanctions were not the answer to the nuclear stand-off.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China backs a ’dual-track strategy’ — continued dialogue with Tehran while considering the possibility of sanctions if that fails to halt sensitive nuclear work.