China has defended its business ties with Iran after a United States official urged Beijing to fully implement sanctions against Tehran.
China Thursday rejected concerns about its dealings with Iran.
China's state media quoted a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman saying trade with Tehran is normal business and does not harm the interests of other countries or the international community.
She was responding to comments made by the United States' special advisor for nonproliferation and arms control, Robert Einhorn.
This week Einhorn said China should fully cooperate with United Nations sanctions imposed against North Korea and Iran because of their nuclear programs.
The U.S. and European Union recently passed new sanctions against Iran and are encouraging Russia and China to support them. The sanctions target Iran's energy and banking sectors.
Joseph Cheng, a professor of political science at Hong Kong's City University, says Beijing has little interest in new sanctions. VOA News
