Beijing stresses iron-clad friendship with Pakistan

China's latest export control measures on rare earths and related items have nothing to do with Pakistan, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday, stressing the "iron-clad" friendship between the two countries.

Lin made the remarks at a regular news conference, dismissing reports that "Pakistan's export of rare earths to the United States triggered China's new export control measures".

"China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners," he said, adding that the two countries have maintained close communication over major issues concerning both sides' shared interests.

China and Pakistan have also been in communication over Pakistan's mining cooperation with the US, Lin said. Pakistan has emphasized that its exchanges with the US will never harm China's interests or China-Pakistan cooperation, Lin said.

China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday new measures to tighten export control on rare earths and related items, including certain equipment and technologies.

Dispelling rumors that linked the measures with Pakistan's sending mineral samples to the US, Lin said the samples that the Pakistani leaders showed and gave to the US leader are gem ores purchased by staff members in Pakistan.

Dismissing related reports, Lin said they were "either misinformed or invented, or even designed to drive a wedge between China and Pakistan".

China's export control measures on rare earths and related items are a legitimate action the government took to refine its own export control system according to laws and regulations, Lin said.

The measures aim to safeguard world peace and regional stability better, as well as to fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations, he said.

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn