China, Israel to discuss Iran nuke issue

Iran's nuclear program will be a main topic of discussion when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets China's leaders, an Israeli official said Wednesday.

Olmert, scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao during his three-day visit, will talk about the importance of U.N.-imposed sanctions on Iran, said a member of his delegation.

"He will surely talk about how Israel is concerned by Iranians becoming a nuclear state and what are the consequences that can take place if the Iranians will hold a nuclear bomb or weapon," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as the person wasn't authorized to speak to the media. "It will be high on the agenda."

China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has strong trade ties with Iran and has been leery about imposing punitive measures.

But it supported the U.N. resolution that orders all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs. The resolution also freezes Iranian assets of 10 key companies and 12 individuals related to those programs.

The security council has warned that it will adopt further nonmilitary sanctions if Iran continues to refuse to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that produces the material for either nuclear reactors or bombs.

Iran denies that it seeks to build atomic weapons, saying its nuclear program is limited to generating electricity.

Israel's considers Iran one of its most serious threats, fears fueled by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated calls to wipe the Jewish state off the map. Olmert has not ruled out a military strike against Tehran's nuclear program, but has said he hopes diplomatic means will work in keeping Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

Olmert's trip marks the 15-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and China, whose good relations have been marred by occasional political and trade tensions.

Both sides have emphasized that the visit is aimed at fostering a deeper friendship and strengthening economic and trade ties.

China is now Israel's third-largest trading partner, following the United States and Germany. According to the federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Israeli exports to China jumped 31 percent to $740 million in the first 11 months of last year, when compared to the same period the previous year.