China Tells US not to Meddle in Ties with Iran

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- China warned the United States not to meddle in its trade relations with Iran after Washington expressed concern about a planned investment by a Chinese oil company in an Iranian gas field.

“We think this kind of cooperation and relationship is legitimate. Normal cooperation should not be interfered (with),” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

Asked whether that meant Beijing believed the United States was interfering in its dealings with Iran, Liu said, “This is our position.”

The US government expressed concern last month to Beijing about a planned investment by state-owned Chinese oil company CNOOC Ltd. in Iran’s Northern Pars gas field. Washington said major business dealings with Tehran were inappropriate at a time when Iran was defying UN resolutions over its nuclear program.