China rips US claims on weapons sales
(Agencies)
Updated: 2006-09-16 09:30 China on Friday denounced
accusations by top U.S. officials that it was selling weapons to Iran and North
Korea. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang called the U.S. criticism "groundless
and irresponsible," the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Peter Rodman, assistant secretary of defense for international security, on
Thursday called China to re-evaluate its relationship with Iran and North Korea,
two countries with which the United States is locked in tense nuclear standoffs.
Rodman said Washington sees "a general willingness (of China) to transfer a
wide variety of technologies to customers around the world."
China has denied the charges and says it opposes the spread of weapons
technology and materials. It also says it forbids Chinese companies from
transferring such material and technology.
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