A top Chinese Foreign Ministry official said that Beijing's trade with Iran has nothing to do with the Iranian nuclear program, Fars News Agency reported.

"Normal trade relations and energy cooperation between China and Iran have nothing to do with the nuclear issue," Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said. "We should not mix issues with different natures, and China's legitimate concerns and demands should be respected."

The Chinese official's remark came on the eve of a visit by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to seek support for anti-Iran sanctions.

Tiankai went on to say that Beijing supports nuclear nonproliferation efforts but believes Iran is entitled to develop peaceful nuclear energy, and called for talks between Iran and the West in order to build mutual trust.

China is a major trade partner of Iran. The two countries are endeavoring to enhance their bilateral trade ties significantly. Crude supplies constitute a major part of Iran's exports to China. Iran is currently China's third largest crude supplier, providing China with roughly 12% of its total annual oil consumption needs - nearly one million barrels per day.