SPOKESPERSON ON THE US NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT CHINESE COMPANIES ARE IN IRAQ HELPING THE LATTER IMPROVE ITS AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEM

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY

August 17, 2001

Q: The Wall Street Journal of the United States reported that Chinese companies are in Iraq helping the latter improve its air-defense system.  What is your comment?

A: At present, the Chinese Government has not discovered any violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions in China's trade with Iraq.  On the matter of enforcing the relevant resolution of the UN Security Council on sanctions against Iraq, the attitude of the Chinese Government is consistent, clear-cut and unswerving.  It strictly forbids any business entity or individual from engaging in economic activities or trade that violate the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the question of Iraq.  The competent departments of the Chinese Government reiterated the relevant regulations not long ago. Violations of the regulations, once discovered, will be seriously dealt with.