from:english.people.com.cn/200602/15/eng20060215_242784.html

China denies arrest of any individual for releasing online comment
       

China's government denied the arrest of any individual for "just releasing his comment on the Internet", implying that any online comment shouldn't challenge nation's regulations and laws.

"Since 2000, China has enacted serial regulations and laws for Internet service providers, by which China manages its Internet market in line with international conventions," said Liu Zhengrong, an official with the Internet Affairs Bureau of the State Council Information Office.

Liu gave the remark in response to questions raised by foreign reporters who had expected him to confirm a case in which reportedly a Chinese dissident was arrested for releasing comment on the Internet at a press conference held on Tuesday.

"It's common that some websites deleted law-breaking content from the webpage, for many international news providers, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, have similar claims in their websites that netizen's comment should comply with relevant laws," he said.

"It is unfair to slam website's deletion of harmful content in China which websites in other countries like the United States regularly do," the official said, "It is double-standard."

Liu said the management of the Internet should not be an obstacle for the development of new technology and the public Internet users should be the master in management.

"China has 'actively advocated' professional guilds' participation in Internet self-discipline and lots of problems have been resolved with their self-discipline work," he said.

Liu also said the Internet has developed in China for a relatively short time and China is ready to learn other countries' success in managing the Internet market.

The authorities will protect foreign web companies' legitimate interests and rights in China, he said, noting that China is not "controlling" but "regulating" the development of the Internet.

"Every market should have some rules for developing in a 'good order'," Liu said.

Source: Xinhua

from:mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/international/asia/news/20060215p2g00m0in013000c.html


China denies ties with Japanese company accused of exporting nuclear-related machinery


BEIJING -- China is denying links to a Japanese precision instrument maker accused of illegally exporting machinery that could help in making a nuclear bomb.

Mitutoyo Corp., based just outside Tokyo, is suspected of exporting three-dimensional measuring machines to Japanese companies in China and Thailand in 2001 without the required government permission. The equipment could be used to enrich uranium, a key step in making the bomb.

"After our inquiries, we felt that this issue had nothing to do with China," Liu Jianchao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular briefing Tuesday.

"We resolutely oppose any form of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. China is a signatory to the Nonproliferation Treaty and has resolutely abided by its obligations."

According to Japanese media reports, authorities suspect the company may have fabricated information in export documents about the function of the equipment being exported to get it past inspectors.

Mitutoyo's president has said that the company had not attempted to evade the law.

Reports also say that the machinery may have been diverted separately to Libya for use in that country's now-abandoned nuclear program and could also have reached North Korea. (AP)



Link: Factory workers knew exports of nuclear-related machinery were illegal

February 15, 2006

From:www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=275581&sid=WOR

China denies it is trying to smuggle F-16 engine from US      

Beijing, Feb 14: China today refuted as "groundless" the allegation that covert Chinese agents were attempting to smuggle sensitive items like F-16 aircraft engines, cruise missiles and other military wares from the United States.

"We have taken note of such reports. The accusation that China is collecting scientific and military intelligence is groundless," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters while commenting on reports that a Taiwanese citizen has been indicted as a Chinese agent by a federal grand jury in Florida.

The man, identified as Ko-Suen Moo of Taipei, is charged with being a covert Chinese agent, and working with a Frenchman, Serge Voros, to try to ship sophisticated high-tech military equipment from the US to China.

Chinese military product importers have very strict review and monitoring process. Chinese military and importers will not buy any product from sellers without any lawful documents.

Moo and Voros have been indicted in Miami, Florida with attempting to export an F-16 aircraft engine, black hawk helicopter engines, cruise missiles and air-to-air missiles to China, the US immigration and customs enforcement authorities said last week.

While Moo is in federal custody in Florida, Voros remains at large, media reports said.

The indictment says Moo and Voros had been negotiating to deliver the equipment to China for two years.

To another question on reports that Chinese companies have transferred sensitive technology to Libyan firms, the spokesman said that such reports had nothing to do with China and that Beijing adhered to non-proliferation and opposed spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

"China's position on non-proliferation is very clear. We are resolutely opposed to any form of proliferation of WMD. China is a signatory to the NPT and has resolutely abided by its obligations," Liu said.

Bureau Report