The Chinese Government has made formal representations to the government of the United States over its decision to impose sanctions against the Chinese side, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said that the US Government decided, starting from September 1, to impose sanctions against the Chinese side under the pretext of the claimed export of missile-related items to Pakistan by the China Metallurgical Equipment Corporation (MECC). The Chinese side cannot but express strong indignation at and resolute opposition to the United States's hegemonic act of willfully imposing sanctions against other countries according to its own domestic laws.
He said that over a period of time, the US has repeatedly alleged that MECC was engaged in missile proliferation activities according to its so-called "intelligence information.'' In-depth investigations by the Chinese side indicate that MECC has never engaged in any activities as alleged by the United States and that the US allegation is groundless.
However, he said, the US side is bent on making the erroneous decision based on its wrong intelligence information, in disregard of the constructive position and the investigation results of the Chinese side. Such a US move is totally groundless and irresponsible, and the Chinese side can never accept it.
He said that on the issue of non-proliferation, the Chinese policy is consistent and clear-cut. Last November, China and the United States announced respectively their policies on missile non-proliferation and Sino-US co-operation on space launches. China has all along strictly fulfilled its own commitment. However, the US side not only failed to honor its own commitment, but also decided to impose sanctions on China with no cause.
"This cannot but make us doubt the sincerity of the United States in honoring the relevant bilateral understandings,'' he said.
The improvement and development of Sino-US relations is in the common interest of the two sides and calls for joint efforts. China strongly urges the US side to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, so as to avoid any damage to Sino-US co-operation in non-proliferation. Otherwise, the US side must bear all responsibility for consequences arising there from, he said.
(China Daily 09/06/2001)
