Geithner may discuss Iran sanctions on Beijing trip

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will arrive in Beijing on Jan 10 for a two-day visit, the US Treasury Department said on Wednesday.

While in Beijing, Geithner will meet Vice-Premier Wang Qishan on Tuesday, and Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice-President Xi Jinping and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday to discuss measures to promote continued economic growth, the Treasury said.

The Treasury statement said Geithner would also discuss the possibility of increasing pressure on Iran, including financial measures targeting the Central Bank of Iran.

On Saturday, US President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions against financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank, the main conduit for the country's oil revenues.

On Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated China's position on Iran, saying it prefers dialogue rather than sanctions.

Hong said China opposes one country placing its domestic law above international law and imposing unilateral sanctions on other countries.

The European Union and the United States on Wednesday tightened their sanctions on Iran, with diplomats in Brussels saying a preliminary agreement had been reached on an EU embargo of Iranian oil.

Geithner's visit to Beijing comes ahead of Xi's visit to Washington, due to take place in February.

A statement from the US Treasury Department said Geithner will "discuss the state of the global economy, policies to strengthen global growth and other economic issues of mutual importance".