Washington Times Report "Groundless": FM Spokesperson

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 25, 2001

Washington Times Report "Groundless": FM Spokesperson

The Washington Times report about China providing weapons to al-Qaida after the September 11 terror attacks is "groundless", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Monday. According to Zhang, the Chinese side has made serious representations to the U.S. side on the matter. She reiterated that China opposes terrorism of all forms and its stance is definite and consistent.

Report with Ulterior Motives

The Washington Times carried a story by reporter Bill Gertz on December 21, which claimed that a senior U.S. official disclosed that China continued to provide weapons to al-Qaida after September 11.

The report is groundless and with ulterior motives, Zhang said, and the Chinese side has made serious representations to the U.S. side on the matter.

China's Stance Reiterated

She reiterated that China opposes terrorism of all forms and its stance is definite and consistent.

China has actively participated in the international cooperation of combating terrorism and rendered support and assistance to the U.S. side since the September 11 incident, she said, adding that the facts are obvious to all.

She pointed out that a limited number of people in the United States have tried to use the rumor to defame China and impede the improvement of Sino-U.S. relations. "Their ulterior motives are doomed to failure," she said.

China Opposes Terrorism in All Forms: Li Peng

Chinese top legislator Li Peng said on October 31that China opposes and condemns terrorism in all forms, pointing out that terrorism poses threat to world peace and security.

Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, said that an enhanced international cooperation is necessary for fight against terrorism and the role of the United Nations and its Security Council should be brought into full play in this regard.

"We oppose to link terrorism to a certain religion or a nation," Li stressed. He said China upholds that any military strike against terrorism must be based on hard evidence and have definite targets so as to avoid innocents' casualties.

China Opposes All Forms of Terrorism, Envoy Says

Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, said in Washington on October 3 that China opposes and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and it is China's basic policy to prevent and combat all terrorist activities.

China has already been party to nine out of the 12 international conventions against terrorism and active preparations are under way for it to join the two recently adopted conventions -- the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing and the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism, he said.

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