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US presses China on nuclear Iran US presses China on nuclear Iran
(30 minutes later)
President Obama has made a direct appeal to Chinese President Hu Jintao for the two countries to co-operate on the Iranian nuclear issue.President Obama has made a direct appeal to Chinese President Hu Jintao for the two countries to co-operate on the Iranian nuclear issue.
In an hour-long phone call Mr Obama stressed "the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its... obligations," the US said.In an hour-long phone call Mr Obama stressed "the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its... obligations," the US said.
Their talks came as Iran's top nuclear official, Saeed Jalili, was in China for talks.Their talks came as Iran's top nuclear official, Saeed Jalili, was in China for talks.
Beijing agreed that sanctions were "not effective", Mr Jalili said.Beijing agreed that sanctions were "not effective", Mr Jalili said.
"In our talks with China it was agreed that tools such as sanctions have lost their effectiveness,""In our talks with China it was agreed that tools such as sanctions have lost their effectiveness,"
International sanctions would not prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear activities, he told reporters in Beijing.International sanctions would not prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear activities, he told reporters in Beijing.
Chinese officials have not commented after the talks.Chinese officials have not commented after the talks.
Have Your Say China has too much interest in Iran and would not want to change Anon, UK Read your commentsHave Your Say China has too much interest in Iran and would not want to change Anon, UK Read your comments
China's foreign minister has said he still hopes the nuclear issue can be resolved through negotiations.China's foreign minister has said he still hopes the nuclear issue can be resolved through negotiations.
Serious talksSerious talks
China's President Hu called for "healthy and stable" relations with the US during the telephone call with Mr Obama.China's President Hu called for "healthy and stable" relations with the US during the telephone call with Mr Obama.
The two leaders also discussed Taiwan and the importance of implementing G20 agreements to boost economic growth.The two leaders also discussed Taiwan and the importance of implementing G20 agreements to boost economic growth.
The exchange capped a week of easing tensions between the two big powers who have recently had high-profile disagreements over Tibet, trade and Taiwan.The exchange capped a week of easing tensions between the two big powers who have recently had high-profile disagreements over Tibet, trade and Taiwan.
Saeed Jalili had two days of talks in BeijingSaeed Jalili had two days of talks in Beijing
But in the brewing confrontation between the west and Iran over its nuclear programme, China is now key to what happens next, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas, in Beijing.But in the brewing confrontation between the west and Iran over its nuclear programme, China is now key to what happens next, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas, in Beijing.
Earlier this week President Obama said he wanted to see new UN sanctions on Iran "within weeks".Earlier this week President Obama said he wanted to see new UN sanctions on Iran "within weeks".
China, a veto-wielding UN Security Council member with strong ties to Iran, has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed.China, a veto-wielding UN Security Council member with strong ties to Iran, has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed.
However the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said on Thursday that China had indicated it was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution.However the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said on Thursday that China had indicated it was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution.
Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Strained tiesStrained ties
The US and China have disagreed recently over Tibet and Taiwan.The US and China have disagreed recently over Tibet and Taiwan.
ANALYSIS By Damian Grammaticus,BBC News, Beijing
The Chinese have been reluctant in the past to push for sanctions on Iran, but there are signs that this position may be shifting.
There are a few small signs, largely from the UN in New York where the American delegation has said China is willing to sit down and have serious discussions about tough sanctions.
Also, there have been some small indications here in the diplomatic language China is using - nothing concrete from the Chinese side, but some signs that it could be prepared to shift its position.
Mr Hu warned Mr Obama not to antagonise Beijing on the issues, China's foreign ministry said.Mr Hu warned Mr Obama not to antagonise Beijing on the issues, China's foreign ministry said.
"Hu stressed the Taiwan and Tibet issues concern China's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and China's core interests, and properly dealing with these issues is key to ensuring the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations," said a ministry statement."Hu stressed the Taiwan and Tibet issues concern China's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and China's core interests, and properly dealing with these issues is key to ensuring the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations," said a ministry statement.
China was upset when Mr Obama met Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in February. It was also angered by Taiwan securing a weapons deal from the US.China was upset when Mr Obama met Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in February. It was also angered by Taiwan securing a weapons deal from the US.
The US has supported the internet search company Google in its concerns over censorship in China, and other trade rows persist.The US has supported the internet search company Google in its concerns over censorship in China, and other trade rows persist.
However, Beijing did allow the visit of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to Hong Kong in February.However, Beijing did allow the visit of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to Hong Kong in February.
One issue where China and US are in agreement is the need to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table over plans to end its nuclear programmes.One issue where China and US are in agreement is the need to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table over plans to end its nuclear programmes.