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Iran wants China its top oil importer
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-07 10:29
Iran wants China to replace Japan as its biggest importer of oil and gas,
Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was reported as saying here.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing talks to the media
while his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi (R) looks on in Tehran,
November 6, 2004. China said on Saturday it would be better to resolve
Iran's nuclear case without sending it to the U.N. Security Council, where
Beijing holds the option of vetoing any sanctions against
Tehran. [AP] | "Japan is our number
one energy importer due to historical reasons ... but we would like to give
preference to exports to China," Zanganeh was quoted as saying the China
Business Weekly magazine.
"From the supply side, we have no difficulties (in making China the top
energy oil importer from Iran)," the minister added.
Iran and China last week signed a preliminary accord under which China will
buy 10 million tonnes a year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 25 years in a
deal worth 100 billion dollars.
The memorandum of understanding also grants to Chinese oil giant Sinopec the
right to exploit the Yadavaran oil field on a buy-back basis in cooperation with
a major international oil company.
On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Tehran that Beijing
opposed US efforts to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council over its
nuclear programme.
"It would only make the issue more complicated and difficult to work out," Li
said during a news conference.
The United States accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons
under cover of its civilian atomic energy program and wants the UN watchdog
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take Iran before the UN Security
Council when the IAEA meets in Vienna on November 25.
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