China denies allegations of reselling imported radars to Iraq
( 2002-11-27 01:16 ) (1 )

A Foreign Ministry spokesman Tuesday denied allegations that China may have sold imported radar detection systems to Iraq.

"The Chinese Government has all along adhered strictly to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the sanctions on Iraq,'' said Kong Quan. "There has not been such an instance of China reselling (imported) radar detection systems to Iraq.''

The US State Department released a report on Monday, saying that Ukraine had sold four radar detection systems to China and suspected the systems might be in Iraq now.

Kong said the co-operation between China and Ukraine conforms to international norms and both countries have acted strictly in accordance with their international obligations.

Commenting on the upcoming visit to China of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kong said separate meetings have been arranged between the Russian president and his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin and Vice-President Hu Jintao.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Putin will visit China between December 1 and 3 to discuss with the Chinese leaders the development of bilateral relations in the past decade and draw up a strategic plan for the future development of ties.

They will also exchange views on international issues of common concern, which may include the issue of nuclear weapons in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Kong Tuesday reaffirmed that China's stance is to oppose the proliferation of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction on the Korean Peninsula.

Asked to respond to NATO's eastward expansion, Kong expressed the hope that NATO would consider the concerns and interests of all European countries, and act in the interests of peace and stability.

He stressed that there could be a peaceful international environment of long-term stability and security only with a concept of security that stresses trust, reciprocity, equality and co-operation.

Kong also briefed the press on the recent border talks between China and India.

The two countries swapped views on the exchange of maps of the line of control on their border and on ways to build trust. Kong described the talks as "candid and friendly.''

Having narrowed their differences, the two sides have agreed to hold talks between their diplomatic and military experts on the border issue in Beijing next January, Kong added.