Q：  The Washington Times carried a report on August 6th, claiming that a Chinese company exported missile components to Pakistan.  What is your comment?

A：  The Chinese Government clearly stated in November 2000 that China has no intention of assisting in whatever form any country in developing ballistic missiles that can be used for the delivery of nuclear weapons.  China has all along been implementing this policy in a serious, earnest and responsible approach.  Some individual press in the US frequently spreads some irresponsible and totally unfounded rumors and slanders China of engaging in proliferation, which is entirely driven by ulterior motives.  The Chinese company concerned has already issued a solemn statement on the matter.

I would like to point out that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles impacts on international peace and security and all countries have the obligation to strictly observe the relevant international legal instruments.  If any country adopts a selective approach to these legal instruments, it will only undermine the international non-proliferation efforts. It is even more unadvisable to spread irresponsible remarks based on so-called “intelligence” that is fabricated out of thin air in an attempt to exert pressure on other countries.

I would like to take this opportunity to stress that the Chinese side has reasons to urge the US Government to implement in earnest the policy it announced last November and take effective actions to remove the artificial barriers on satellite exports to China, so as to bring the cooperation between China and US in satellite launching back to the normal track.