Reports on Russia's refusal 'groundless'

BEIJING - The Defense Ministry brushed aside reports on Wednesday about Russia's refusal to sell China cables used to catch and slow planes on aircraft carriers, saying all major equipment on China's carrier is developed domestically.

"The reports are totally groundless," ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said at a monthly news conference. He was asked about a report in November carried by Asian Defence, a Toronto-based monthly, that claimed Russia refused to sell the cables to China because of strategic concerns.

"All the major systems and equipment on our aircraft carrier, including the arresting cables, are developed or refit by us," Yang said.