China to send foreign minister to Teheran to meet counterpart, Tuesday

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
China, under pressure to take a harder line on Iran's nuclear plans, announced Monday it is sending its foreign minister to Teheran for talks. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi will visit Iran on Tuesday at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said. China agreed to earlier sanctions against Iran from the UN Security Council, but has argued against further tough economic measures. Beijing's refusal reflects both its traditional distaste for such intervention and its diplomatic and economic ties to Iran. China has been urged to take a stronger stance on Iran during recent visits to Beijing by US Defense Robert Gates and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.