These new challenges have forced China to rethink its diplomacy. So now, it has adopted a "double-track strategy" of diplomatic efforts and sanctions to resolve international crises.

Apart from safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and supporting further sanctions against Iran, China has also emphasized that the door for diplomatic mediation is still open.

Besides, because of China's efforts, the clause of "disapproval of the use or threat of force" against Iran was written into the sanction draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council, which avoided imposing sanctions against Teheran's energy industry, its biggest economic mainstay.

The result: Sino-Iranian energy cooperation does not violate the promise made by China of imposing sanctions. This has helped China, as a responsible world power, to maintain world peace and security as well as continue to cooperate with Iran on its energy sector because the sanctions are not against the Iranian people but to prevent Teheran from developing nuclear weapons.

A look at history would tell us that a country's people rather than its government suffers from sanctions. If pressed too hard, Iran may tend to beef up its security by developing nuclear weapons through means fair or foul, which would be more harmful to international peace.

China's double-track strategy has guaranteed the maintenance of Sino-Iranian relations and the effectiveness of the UN sanctions against Iran. That Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited China on June 11, two days after the sanctions were imposed on his country, proves he understood the position Beijing was in over the international security situation.

Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on July 26 that it was willing to restart unconditional nuclear talks. Later, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran was ready for negotiations on nuclear issues with the international community, proving further that China' diplomatic outlook and measures had been effective.

China has consistently opposed (and will oppose) nuclear proliferation. But it also opposes any attempt to take advantage of the sanctions to attack or even weaken Iran.

The accuracy and reliability of intelligence reports on whether Iran is developing nuclear weapons will continue to test the international community. The intelligence failure that led to the Iraq War in 2003, for example, has caused US citizens a lot. If a similar mistake were to be repeated, it would spell disaster for not only the Iranian people, but also for US nationals.

The author, based in Zhejiang province, is a scholar of international studies.