China denounces US sanctions against companies

[February 12, 2013]  BEIJING (AP) -- China on Tuesday denounced U.S. sanctions against a leading state arms maker and other companies over alleged illicit dealings with North Korea, Syria and Iran.

The U.S. State Department on Monday said that Poly Technologies Inc. is among companies barred from dealing with the U.S. government or purchasing U.S. military hardware for two years. The company is part of a massive state-owned conglomerate.

China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the actions "seriously violate the norms of international relations and undermine China's interests." The ministry said China strongly enforces non-proliferation laws and had lodged a formal complaint with Washington.

"The U.S. should work together with China under the principle of 'equality, mutual benefit and concerted efforts' to promote practical cooperation on non-proliferation, instead of threatening sanctions at will or undermining the interests of the other side," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The official Xinhua News Agency cited a company official as denying having violated any U.N. Security Council arms embargoes and saying it strictly adheres to Chinese law and international statutes.

"We have never helped any countries or regions develop any banned weapons, nor have we exported or promised to export weapons or technologies to any countries or regions that are under United Nations Security Council Resolutions Sanctions. We hereby demand the U.S. side to respect the fact and immediately lift the sanctions," Xinhua quoted the unnamed spokesman as saying.

The State Department notice said Poly Technologies was in violation of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act that sanctions persons and companies that transfer or sell those nations goods, services or technology related to weapons of mass destruction or ballistic and cruise missiles. The law cites items banned under international agreements such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.