Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that China opposes the middle eastern country’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, in a meeting between the two leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation security summit, Xinhua has reported. It could signal a change of tact from China, which imports much of its energy resources from Iran. China stopped short of joining the bandwagon to impose sanctions on Iran, instead urging the use of what it calls “diplomatic channels, in an impartial way” to resolve the issue.

Six world powers traveled to Baghdad to offer concessions to Iran in exchange of significant cuts in its enriched-uranium production. However, the talks have made little or no progress. Iran stands by its claim that the nuclear program is a “peaceful production of electricity” for civilian use.

Iran seems to hold China in high regard as it shares the same view on the West. President Ahmadinejad reportedly asked the Asian country to “stand with Tehran to promote world peace” against the “wolf”, Iranian state news agency, IRNA, said.