China denies N-transfer

Published March 8, 2004

BEIJING, March 7: Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has taken a strong exception to media reports about the alleged transfer of nuclear technology to any other country.

Referring to North Korea's alleged uranium enrichment programme, Foreign Minister Li said at a news conference: "We don't have (any) such information about the alleged uranium programme of North Korea."

"(Even) if the media's information is supported by evidence, that will have nothing to do with China," the minister added. Stressing that China has always advocated a nuclear-weapon- free Korean peninsula, Mr Li said: "We don't wish to see the Korean peninsula with nuclear weapons, we wish to see (the) peninsula that is peaceful, stable and prosperous."

Li Zhaoxing at his annual news conference on Saturday contributed much of his time to talk about bilateral relations between China and its neighbouring countries.

Talking about a tension-free South Asia, he said China was "very pleased to see" that Pakistan and India were trying to improve bilateral relations. Deliberating on Sino-Russian ties, Mr Li announced that Chinese and Russian presidents would hold a summit in Beijing in the latter half of this year.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Premier Wen Jiabao would also visit to Russia this year. Li said only when the Japanese leaders take history as a mirror and look into the future, can the friendship between China and Japan develop. -APP

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.