China rejects Obama's push to punish countries importing Iranian oil

1 April 2012, BEIJING, China rejects Obama's push to punish countries importing Iranian oil, SKorea seeks agreement.
China - China rejected President Barack Obama's decision to move forward with plans for sanctions on countries buying oil from Iran, saying  that Washington had no right to unilaterally punish other nations.

South Korean officials said they will continue working with the U.S. to reduce oil imports from Iran, as other U.S. allies who depend on Iranian oil worked to find alternative energy supplies.
Obama announced Friday that he is plowing ahead with the potential sanctions, which could affect U.S. allies in Asia and Europe, as part of a deepening campaign to starve Iran of money for its disputed nuclear program. The U.S. and allies believe that Iran is pursuing a nuclear bomb; Iran denies that.
China is one of the biggest importers of Iranian oil, and its Foreign Ministry reiterated its opposition to the U.S. moves.