The report on China's acquisition from the Taliban of Afghanistan cruise missiles left by the United States during its attacks on the Taliban is groundless and concocted out of ulterior motives, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao said in Beijing Monday.
The Washington Times claimed in a September 28 report that China obtained the US cruise missiles and that Chinese companies were assisting the Taliban in installing a telecom system.
Zhu said that such accusations are "groundless", reiterating that the Chinese government has no formal ties of any kind with the Taliban.
"It is necessary to point out that since the 'September 11 Incident,' there have always been some people in the United States who spread various rumors out of ulterior motives and attempt to tarnish the image of China," Zhu said.
"Their political motives will not succeed," he added.
(People's Daily 10/01/2001)
