BEIJING (AP) — China said Friday that it opposes the sanctions the European Union is imposing on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, saying it supports Iran's renewed efforts to hold talks on a possible swap of nuclear fuel.

China often says dialogue and diplomatic means are the best way to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry, Jiang Yu, repeated that position in comments posted on the ministry's website.

The European Union and Canada adopted new sanctions Monday against Iran that target its foreign trade, banking and energy sectors.

The countries worry Iran's nuclear program could be used for weapons. Iran denies it, saying its program is intended solely for peaceful purposes such as energy generation.

"China does not agree with the EU's unilateral sanctions against Iran," Jiang said. China made a similar objection when the United States recently imposed its own sanctions.