China recently criticized the European Union for banning oil imports from Beijing's third biggest crude supplier and a major trading partner, Iran.

The EU recently agreed to ban imports of oil from Iran and imposed a number of other economic sanctions, joining the United States of America in a new round of measures that are aimed at pushing Iran into reining in its nuclear activities that Tehran says are for peaceful purposes.

The world's second largest crude consumer, China, has long opposed unilateral sanctions that target energy sector of Iran and has tried to reduce tensions that could threaten its oil supply.

A visiting Iranian delegation was told by Beijing that returning to nuclear talks was a "top priority." Chinese premier Wen Jiabao during a tour to Arab states in January also made a strong statement opposing Iran developing and possessing nuclear weapons, but defended China's right to buy Iranian crude oil as normal trade activity.

China's Foreign Ministry when asked about the EU embargo said in a faxed statement: "It is not a constructive approach to simply pile up the pressure and impose sanctions." "China hopes relevant parties to resort to measures conducive to regional peace and stability," the statement added.