BEIJING (AP) - A top Chinese diplomat has rejected linking Iran's nuclear program to trade on the eve of a visit by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to seek support for sanctions on Tehran's oil industry.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai says China's trade relations with Iran, a major oil supplier, have nothing to do with the Iranian nuclear program. Cui said Monday that sanctions alone cannot resolve the dispute and called for negotiations.

Washington is trying to pressure Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions by hampering its oil sales. The U.S. government says it will sanction companies that deal with Iran's central bank.

Geithner is due in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Chinese leaders that U.S. officials say will include Iran sanctions.