"We have very good relations with China, and there is no reason to weaken this relationship," Ahmadinejad told reporters during a visit to the Expo 2010 Shanghai, when the Islamic Republic of Iran celebrated its National Pavilion Day.

Ahmadinejad said Iran and China can boost collaboration on the basis of friendship and trust that will benefit all.

He lashed out at the fourth round of sanctions passed at the Security Council over its controversial nuclear program as "a worthless paper" which "lacks legal value" and said it would "have no effect" on his country.

He said the resolution was "the last shot" of the Security Council, which is "a tool in the hands of the United States".

"The US administration is abusing power in the UN Security Council in order to impose its hegemony on other nations," the president said.

He also criticized the world's nuclear powers for wanting to "monopolize" nuclear energy for their own gain while preventing other nations from pursuing the technology for peaceful purposes.

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adopted a US-drafted resolution hitting Tehran with fresh military and financial sanctions, despite the Islamic Republic's agreement to a nuclear fuel swap deal with Turkey and Brazil.

China, which also voted for the resolution for tougher sanctions against Iran, has reiterated that dialogue and negotiation are the proper ways to settle the issue, saying the door to diplomatic dialogues is still open.

However, Ahmadinejad said: "Having (a) dialogue under hostile atmosphere has no meaning."

Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Shanghai on Thursday, is not expected to visit Beijing and meet Chinese leaders during his stay.

CHINA DAILY

(China Daily 06/12/2010 page4)