China hitsout at US sanctions on 5 state companies

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China yesterday denounced US sanctions against five state companies over alleged illicit dealings with North Korea, Syria and Iran.

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

China's Foreign Ministry said yesterday the actions "seriously violate the norms of international relations and undermine China's interests."

It said China strongly enforces non-proliferation laws and had lodged a formal complaint with Washington.

"The US 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.

Xinhua news agency cited a company official as denying having violated any UN 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 US side to respect the fact and immediately lift the sanctions," Xinhua quoted the unnamed official as saying.

The US 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.

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