Posted on 02/25/2003 9:22:44 AM PST by batter
BEIJING, Feb 25 (AFP) - 09:35 GMT - China on Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" reports that a missile fired by North Korea into the Sea of Japan was exported to the hermit regime from China.
"Regardless of whether they allude to or directly say these missiles are China's, made in China or made with Chinese technology, all such reports are extremely irresponsible and groundless," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.
"Everyone knows we have adopted very strict control measures on weapons of mass destruction, especially missiles, biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.
"Last September we promulgated a series of laws and regulations. We also have lists of items banned for export.
"So in this area, China is a very responsible country. Under these circumstances, we are firmly opposed to anyone spreading these groundless and irresponsible comments," Kong said.
The missile was fired Monday into international waters in the Sea of Japan, a South Korean defense ministry official.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda added the test weapon appeared to be an anti-ship missile with a short range of 100 kilometres (60 miles).
Japanese media said the missile was likely to be a China-developed Silkworm.
Kong declined to confirm whether the missile had been fired, saying he had only seen reports, and refrained from saying whether China would criticize North Korea if it did fire the missile.
"If indeed this incident happened, since there is a nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula, we believe we should more than ever safeguard peace and stability on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"To safeguard peace and stability, all parties should exercise restraint and stay calm."
North Korea agreed to a moratorium on missile testing after it caused international alarm in 1998 when it test-fired a Taepodong ballistic missile that flew over northeastern Japan into the Pacific Ocean.
Kong also clarified China's position that it still supports the North Korean nuclear issue being resolved in a bilateral forum, rather than a multilateral setting as Washington wants.
"The Chinese side thinks both parties should conduct equal dialogue as the first step to resolving this problem," he said.
Washington wants the nuclear crisis over the North's reactivating its nuclear activities to be resolved in a multilateral forum, saying North Korea was posing a threat to regional and international peace.
Ah,but are they false? Reminds me of Clinton's "there is no evidence that...." (fill in the blanks).
Hell, the still deny the Tiananmen Square Massacre. What does anyone expect?
North Korean nuclear missile supplies: made in China
Proliferation Policies - USCC
CHINA OPENS PANDORA'S NUCLEAR BOX
Proliferation and Chinese Relations with Terrorist-Sponsoring States - Chapter in USCC report to congress
The cooperation list goes on. The PRC continues to deny its proliferation, most have learned to ignore their denials as their actions speak differently.
Most have. But not Johnny Hong Kong.
Exactly. Any time Chinese spokespersons deny then use the words "always..." or "groundless" (or variants thereof) start suspecting the BS to flow.
Oh yeah? Really?
Its either Russian or Chinese which puts China as suspect #1 or #2...
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Intelligence data from the test contradicted statements by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, who told reporters Tuesday that the test was a "fairly innocuous" firing of an old missile. "It appears to be a Silkworm variant that they [North Koreans] modified to get a longer range," said one U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Initial reports said the missile test, which occurred hours before South Korea's new president, Roh Moo-hyun, was inaugurated in Seoul, involved a short-range Russian Styx anti-ship missile with a range of about 50 miles. Further analysis of intelligence data collected on the flight test sharply changed the estimate of the missile's capability, and thus its importance in the international community's current standoff with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program. The Washington Times first disclosed the existence of the new North Korean cruise missile in 1997, when it was test fired for the first time. The missile was identified as a long-range variant of China's HY-2 Silkworm missile and dubbed the AG-1 by the Pentagon. The first test launch was May 23, 1997, from a military base at the Angol army barracks in northeastern North Korea.
It looks like China to me.
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