Should China respect sanctions on Iran?

Considering that many western companies have outlawed military sales to china, I dont see why china should respect the wests wishes to sanction iran?

For example the iranians are keen on getting hold of s-300's from russia, china could provide them with their HQ-9?

One big consideration is china's relationship with israel

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

I dont see a hard reason for it to do so, especially if it acts in conjunction with Russia.
No amount of sanctioning of Iran is likely to stop the Anti Chinese hostility of the UK/USA establishment.

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

its not a smart thing to sell iran arms. its one thing to have economic cooperation, but completely another to have military cooperation. its like China opposing to arms sale to Taiwan, not that those weapons really poses any threat to the PLA, but its underlying policies is important.

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

samba said:

Considering that many western companies have outlawed military sales to china, I dont see why china should respect the wests wishes to sanction iran?

For example the iranians are keen on getting hold of s-300's from russia, china could provide them with their HQ-9?

One big consideration is china's relationship with israel

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China relation with Israel is not the key.

China relation with other major Arab nation especially Saudi is the key.

Iran despite being Islam belongs to Shite sect which is different from Saudi or most Islamic countries of Sunni.

Major Arab countries do not want to see the rise of Shite muslim and spread to their country. Selling advance weapon to Iran may strain China relationship with Sunni especially China needed to buy more and more fuel abroad. It is best China maintain a good relationship with Sunni muslim while at same time still buy fuel from Iran.

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

China's attitude towards the middle east has been emphasizing on economy anyways. let the US do all the dirty work, we just do business.

both russia and china come under political pressure from saude,gulf state and arab countries to join the embargo.

It seems Russia is getting a bit weary of Iran, especially with its nuclear testing and may be willing to side with the US on Iran. This leaves China, who with economic cooperation will provide China with the ability to 'handle' Iran like it does North Korea (hopefully).

Iran is still in a bit politically fractured after the election, while there is no need for China to get its hands dirty with politics and taking sides, perhaps a mediating role through economics means would greatly legitimise China's political interests in the region as a neutral party. What's good for the Iranian economy is potentially good for the Chinese economy. The market is wide open for China to capitalise on, its just a matter of stability.

China import most of the oil from Iran. Saunction against Iran meants act of war against China.

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

Lion said:

China relation with Israel is not the key.

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Chinese relations with Israel is pretty damn important. China gets most of the high-tech western military technology (the ones US and EU won't sell to China) from Israel.

Re: Should China respect sanctions on Iran

solarz said:

Chinese relations with Israel is pretty damn important. China gets most of the high-tech western military technology (the ones US and EU won't sell to China) from Israel.

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That is in the 80's and 90's where China technology is weak. After embargo by western and realise they can't heavily depend on outside sources for improvement of their technology. Indigenous is the key now.

And surely Israel don't want to jeopardise more of their relationship with US more than China since US already express displeasure over a few arm procurement and block a few deal. There is not much Israel can offer for China. Now most important thing for China is to make sure import of fossil fuel is not disrupted to halt economy growth and which region has the most fossil fuel available?

Unless Israel can offer billion tons of fuel. I don't see how important Israel is to China? China definitely view relationship with Iran more than Israel. Iran is the biggest exporter of fossil fuel to China. I say again, any sanction against Iran which resulted halt export of fossil fuel and hampen China economy growth is an act of war.