China’s oil thirst affects relations with Iran

China’s trade with the United States, at US$150 billion in the first seven months of this year, dwarfs its US$12 billion trade with Iran over the same period. But China is the world’s second-biggest oil consumer after the United States, and Iran is one of Beijing’s biggest suppliers. Chinese imports of Iranian crude grew to 13 million metric tons in the first half, about 15% of China’s total, and up 22% from a year earlier, according to government data. In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it hopes “that Iran cooperates” on the issue of the uranium-enrichment plant, and reiterated its stance that nonproliferation should be achieved “peacefully through negotiations.” (September 28, 2009)