China stated its appreciation of its energy and trade ties with Iran, implying it would provide little support for efforts to impose sanctions on the country over its nuclear program, the Wall Street Journal reported. In a meeting with visiting Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said, "The Sino-Iran relationship has witnessed rapid development, as the two countries’ leaders have had frequent exchanges, and cooperation in trade and energy has widened and deepened." Such positive statements are thought to undermine any expectations that China would support US sanctions against the Middle Eastern country within the United Nations Security Council. In exchange for guaranteed supplies of oil and natural gas, China has pledged billions of dollars in energy-infrastructure investment in Iran.