CHINA / National

China opposes US sanctions on 4 Chinese firms
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-16 09:29

China expressed its strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the U.S. sanctions on four Chinese firms.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks at a regular news conference here Thursday, referring to the U.S. government's sanctions of assets freeze on the China Great Wall Industry Corporation and three other Chinese firms as "groundless" and "extremely irresponsible".

On June 13, the United States sanctioned four Chinese firms alleging that they had provided Iran with materials and items that could serve both military and civilian purposes.

The U.S. government didn't provide any convincing evidence and acted on its own domestic laws, Jiang said.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is not conducive to international and regional peace and stability and not in the interest of China, she said, adding that the Chinese government therefore takes a clear stance by firmly opposing to the spread of WMD and does not allow any corporate or individual engagement in or support to the relevant activities.

Jiang stressed that the Chinese government will strictly handle any acts against the country's non-proliferation policies and export control regulations.

China also calls on the United States to alter its decision and completely abandon wrong doings such as inflicting sanctions and pressure on Chinese firms, she said, as both nations have common interest in dealing with the non-proliferation issue whereas what the U.S. did has damaged Sino-U.S. cooperation in this regard and is harmful for the development of bilateral ties.

The Chinese government will always implement the non-proliferation policies and regulations as it has been committed to the international community and would like to conduct exchanges and cooperation with other nations on the basis of equality and mutual trust, the spokeswoman said.