 Around the World: Zimbabwe
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-24 07:36 Aussie media report refuted China yesterday refuted an Australian media report that Air Zimbabwe Corporation's scheduled civilian flights to China engaged in illegal dealings. "The report proved to be malicious rumors," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in a press release. He said some foreign media frequently fabricated non-existent news attacking China's relationships with African countries. Their lack of basic professional ethics would finally ruin their reputation and credibility. His comments came as The Age, a Melbourne-based newspaper, recently reported the Air Zimbabwe Corporation arranged scheduled flights to Beijing and southern China each week. It claimed these flights passed through Australia's and Singapore's air space, ferrying high-ranking officials and veterans of the Zimbabwe army to China. The flights were alleged to be loaded with ivory, gold and diamonds that were exchanged for weapons and luxury goods from China.. (China Daily 07/24/2008 page12) |
