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China ire at US-Taiwan arms deal Iran says nuclear deal is 'close'
(about 1 hour later)
China's foreign minister has spoken out against a planned US arms sale to Taiwan and called for more direct talks on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran's foreign minister has said that a final deal on exchanging nuclear fuel could be close.
Yang Jiechi made his remarks during a speech to a major security conference in the German city of Munich. Speaking at a major security conference in the German city of Munich, Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was ready to "operationalise" a deal.
Mr Yang was responding to the recent approval by the Pentagon of a $6.4bn (£4bn) package of weapons to Taiwan. China, opposed to the imposition of sanctions against Tehran, said talks with international community had reached a "crucial stage".
He also said Iran had not shut the door on a deal with the UN nuclear watchdog, rejecting calls for new sanctions. There was no reaction to Mr Mottaki's comments from Western delegates.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute, the Associated Press reports. The Iranian comments on the uranium issue came after Mr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute and told a late-night audience that "conducive ground" on a nuclear fuel deal had been reached.
However, it was not clear whether Mr Mottaki would attend the entire three-day forum. "Under the present conditions that we have reached, I think that we are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he said.
"[The] Islamic republic of Iran has shown it is serious about doing this, and we have shown it at the highest level," he said.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently indicated he would be amenable to idea of sending uranium abroad for enrichment.
The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran in recent months, a move unpopular in China.
Making his first appearance at the annual Munich conference, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said a better solution would be to "concentrate on consultation and dialogue".
Beijing's warningBeijing's warning
Speaking in Munich, Mr Yang said the US arms sale to Taiwan - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was "obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations". Mr Yang also expressed Beijing's much-voiced anger at US plans to sell $6.4bn (£4bn) of arms to Taiwan.
He said the arms sale - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was "obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations".
"Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary."Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary.
China is seen as having closer ties to Iran than Western nations Mr Yang said a more developed China was an opportunity to the world
"I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing," he added."I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing," he added.
Beijing earlier warned of "serious harm" to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved.Beijing earlier warned of "serious harm" to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved.
Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory.Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory.
On Iran, Mr Yang said that the negotiations had reached a crucial stage.
He added that Tehran had not shut the door on an agreement with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran.
"There are chances for us to explore," Mr Yang said.
"So China's view is very clear. In order not to complicate the situation, it's better for us now to concentrate on consultation and dialogue so as to achieve a satisfactory solution."
ReassuranceReassurance
The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang's appearance as a remarkable event. The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang's appearance in Munich as a remarkable event.
The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says.The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says.
Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times.Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times.
He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates.He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates.
But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries' internal affairs.But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries' internal affairs.
Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development.Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development.