China Tuesday expressed "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition'' to arbitrary sanctions imposed by the United States on China North Industries Corporation (CNORINCO) and related sectors.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan. [newsphoto.com.cn/file]

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan made the remarks in response to a report about the US Government's sanctions.

Kong said the Chinese Government has always opposed the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

China has introduced export regulations and worked with countries such as the United States to control the movement of such weapons, he said.

"We would like to maintain such co-operation on the basis of mutual understanding and trust," Kong stressed.

He said the US Government had provided no proof or explanation for the sanctions, which affect not only individual companies but the development and production of all missiles, aircraft, spacecraft, electronics and warplanes in China.

The sanctions have made China doubt the sincerity of the US' co-operation with China to limit weapons proliferation and to suspect its motives, Kong said.

"We demand the US side corrects its wrongdoings and lift the sanctions,'' he said.

Ties `full of vitality'

In Washington, US President George W. Bush said on Monday local time that the present US-China relationship is full of vitality, and this is crucial to the two countries.

He made the comments during talks with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Chinese diplomats said.

The United States is willing, together with China, to continue pushing forward the bilateral relationship, Bush said at the meeting.

Bush reiterated that the United States adheres to the one-China policy, abides by the three joint communiques between the two nations and opposes the "independence of Taiwan.''

He spoke highly of the constructive role China has played in international affairs including issues concerning Iraq and the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula.

At yesterday's regular foreign ministry press conference, Kong Quan stressed that China has worked hard to deliver the right of education to its people since adopting reform and opening-up policies 20 years ago.

He made the remarks in response to criticism by Katarina Tomasevski, special rapporteur on the right to education of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, who has just concluded a visit in China.

During talks with the rapporteur, Chinese education officials and experts explained how much China spends on education, saying it accounts for 3.41 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

Kong said Tomasevski did not use this correct data, instead announcing that China spends only 2 per cent of its GDP on education, Kong said.

"We hope the rapporteur utilizes right data and introduces the reform and development of China's education with an objective and fair attitude,'' Kong said, adding that China would study Tomasevski's suggestions regarding China's education system.

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