Spokesman Refutes US Allegations as GroundlessA Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman November 23 called the US allegation of China's proliferation of missiles to Pakistan and Iran as "rumours with ulterior motives."At a regular briefing, spokesman Sun Yuxi said that China has serious policies and regulations concerning missile-related exports, and has exercised strict and effective control on the export of missile technology. "In recent years some parties concerned have spread rumours about so-called proliferation of missiles by China to Pakistan and Iran," said Sun. "This is totally unfounded and has the sole purpose of undermining China's international image." The US State Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Pakistan and Iran for the alleged acquisition of missile technology from China. "Our position on this (the US imposing sanctions on foreign countries) has always been to oppose it," said Sun. The US State Department also said on Tuesday that it would not impose sanctions on China concerning the issue. "We hope that the United States will honour its commitments," said Sun. Sun also commented on the United Nations' 55th General Assembly session adoption of a resolution that called for preservation and compliance with the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty on Monday. Sun, noting that more states supported the resolution this year, said that this "fully demonstrated the will and determination of the international community to maintain a global strategic balance, and their opposition to a certain country deploying a National Missile Defence (NMD) system." "We hope that the relevant country will listen to the calls of the international community, strictly abide by and safeguard the ABM treaty, and give up the missile defence plan, which will destroy world strategic balance," said Sun, apparently referring to the United States. On the escalation of tension between Israel and Palestine, Sun said China is "deeply concerned" about it. The most important thing now is that the parties concerned adopt effective measures to ease the tension as soon as possible, said Sun. He again reiterated China's willingness to contribute to the improvement of situation in the Middle East. Source: chinadaily.com.cn |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |