CHINA / National

Washington sanctions on China firms 'irresponsible'
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-16 05:55

Beijing yesterday criticized Washington for imposing sanctions on four Chinese companies allegedly involved in arms sales.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the US action was "completely unreasonable and irresponsible."

"We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition," she told a regular news briefing.

On Tuesday the US prohibited all transactions with four Chinese companies and one US company alleged to have helped Iran acquire weapons of mass destruction and the missiles capable of delivering them.

Washington said the companies supplied Iran with missile-related and dual use components.

Three of the Chinese companies are Beijing Alite Technologies Company Ltd, LIMMT Economic and Trade Company Ltd and Great Wall Industry Corporation.

The company with US connections is China National Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation, whose US representative is GW Aerospace Inc, based in California.

"The US Government did not provide any evidence before they froze transactions on the four Chinese companies. This is completely unreasonable and irresponsible," said Jiang.

She noted that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction threatens peace and security, and does not serve China's interests.

"The Chinese Government is firmly opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and does not allow any companies or individuals to support or engage in proliferation of any form," she said.

"This is our clear and firm stance."

China and the United States share common interests on non-proliferation, but the latest sanctions have "severely harmed" bilateral co-operation in this regard, as well as the development of bilateral relations, she added.

Jiang urged the US to correct its mistakes and stop exerting sanctions and pressures against China.

Observers said no country is authorized to override international law with its domestic laws and the US sanctions, based on US law, are therefore illegal.

"These sanctions are in flagrant disregard of international law, and are a sign of disrespect towards another country's sovereignty," said retired diplomat Zhang Yijun.

While Guo Xiaobing, a researcher with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told Global Times that the move reflected the US hegemony.

The US Government has applied various sanctions against the four Chinese companies in the past. In 2004 the US State Department sanctioned all four under the Iran Non-proliferation Act of 2000 for transferring equipment and technology to Iran.

On China-Japan relations, Jiang said: "We hope the Japanese leaders will make the right decision ... and help create healthy and stable ties as soon as possible."

(China Daily 06/16/2006 page1)