By Robert Saiget

Source: Agence France Presse (AFP)

March 18, 2010

BEIJING — Chinese-US differences over Taiwan and Tibet should not stop Beijing from backing strong sanctions against Iran or trip up cooperation on global issues, Washington’s ambassador to Beijing said Thursday.

“Differences on Taiwan and Tibet cannot, must not, prevent us from working together to create jobs, address climate change, and prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability,” ambassador Jon Huntsman said.

“We look to China to support strong sanctions should Iran continue to stall on the dialogue track,” he told students in a speech at Beijing’s Tsinghua University against a background of rising US-China tension.

China and the United States along with Britain, France, Germany and Russia have been pressuring Iran on its nuclear programme due to fears that Tehran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

However, while Moscow has suggested it is toughening its stance on Iran, China has continued to resist fresh sanctions.

Washington angered Beijing in January by approving the sale of 6.4 billion dollars worth of weapons to Taiwan, and again when President Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama at the White House last month.

On Thursday Beijing lashed out at what it called “groundless accusations” by the US House of Representatives of Chinese persecution of the Falungong spiritual group. Related article: China slams US resolution on Falungong.

The two nations have also been at odds over Beijing’s management of its yuan currency. US senators introduced legislation Tuesday that would impose tough new penalties on China if it failed to let the yuan rise in value.

Last week, Obama renewed calls for China to embrace a “market-oriented” exchange rate.

“I suspect there will be many important negotiations in the weeks ahead” on currency policy, said Huntsman.

Critics say Beijing keeps the yuan’s value artificially low to make Chinese exports cheaper and thus more competitive on world markets.

Huntsman said he was “optimistic” President Hu Jintao would attend a global security summit in Washington next month, a visit reportedly in jeopardy due to the turmoil in relations.

“I don’t even want to speculate on President Hu not being there. I think they recognise what an important issue this is not only to the US-China relationship but also the people of the world,” he said.

China has so far not disclosed who it will send to the meeting.

Huntsman also criticised China’s rights record and support for oppressive regimes, but expressed optimism for future relations.

“The recent turbulence we have experienced is part of a natural cycle… but our relationship is mature and stable enough to weather our differences,” he said.

“I am convinced that blue skies are already on the horizon.”

China welcomed Huntsman’s comments, but also urged Washington to take “concrete actions” to solidify the relationship, without giving details.

“We hope there will always be blue skies in China-US relations, but of course it calls for our concerted efforts to remove obstacles and clouds,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.