China’s agreement last month to join the US and other powers in a diplomatic initiative to contain the Iranian nuclear programme was an important and positive step. If Iran were to accept the offer – including international support for its civil nuclear energy programme and other incentives in exchange for the suspension of uranium enrichment – both sides would get what they say they want: civil nuclear energy for Iran, reassurance on nuclear proliferation for the others. The problem, as made clear to me in discussions with Chinese officials and analysts in Beijing and Shanghai last month, is that China has no intention of backing this proposal with teeth. Whereas the European Union and US are committed to increasing sanctions on Iran if it rejects the offer, China has made clear that it would continue to oppose significant...
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