Chinese diplomats rejected Israeli calls for sanctions against Iran on Tuesday, saying they prefer “a peaceful resolution...through negotiation.” “Sanctions should not be rashly applied,” said spokesman Liu Jianchao.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had urged Chinese officials to support tough economic sanctions against Iran during a visit to China this week. China is one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, a group that Israeli diplomats hope will agree to further sanctions against Iran until the country agrees to freeze its nuclear program.