UPDATED: 07:53, September 16, 2006

Roundup: China refutes U.S. officials' criticism on nonproliferation

China on Friday refuted criticism from U.S. officials on China's nonproliferation commitment, saying the claim is "groundless and irresponsible".

"The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their carriers," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

Qin said China also banned the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons.

Qin's comments followed reports that some U.S. officials said China was helping some countries develop ballistic missile technology. China was also blasted for developing biological and chemical weapons, a violation of international convention.

"No Chinese company or individual is allowed to engage in WMD proliferation," Qin said.

China has done a lot of work in nonproliferation legislation and law enforcement, educating companies and improving international cooperation, Qin said, adding that the work has yielded remarkable achievements.

The Associated Press quoted Peter Rodman, U.S. assistant defense secretary, as saying that "Chinese companies have helped Iran as it tries to establish a self-sufficient ballistic missile production program."

Paula DeSutter, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance and Implementation, was quoted by the AFP as saying "we remain deeply concerned about the Chinese government's commitment towards its nonproliferation obligations."

"As China was the victim of biological and chemical weapons, China has always maintained the all-round ban and comprehensive disposal of all WMD, including biological and chemical weapons," Qin said.

Since becoming a party to the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention, China has consistently and strictly honored its nonproliferation commitment, Qin said.

"China has never been involved in any activities against the biological weapons and the chemical weapons conventions," the spokesman said.

China has been committed to fulfilling its obligations on nuclear nonproliferation and work at improving international cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Jin Zhuanglong, deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said in late August.

Jin said China has signed 70 international treaties and inter-department agreements on international cooperation of peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.

Source: Xinhua