China on Tuesday condemned US sanctions imposed last week on three Chinese companies for allegedly selling banned weapons to Iran and Syria, calling the accusations "totally groundless". "We strongly oppose this and demand the US side correct this erroneous action," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular press conference. The Chinese firms are among 24 foreign entities from several countries hit with the sanctions, invoked under the 2005 Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act.
The law bars US government dealings with companies, governments or individuals caught transferring missile technology, weapons of mass destruction or advanced conventional arms to the two countries.
The targeted Chinese firms were China National Electronic Import-Export Company, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Company and Zibo Chemet Equipment Company.
Firms from Russia, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, Malaysia and Mexico also were affected by the measures, which were announced Friday.
Liu said China opposed the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by any company or individual but that the sanctions had been imposed without any evidence being offered.
The US government has not specified exactly what sales or transfers to Iran and Syria prompted the step.
Russia has already issued a sharp protest over the sanctions, which named Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboroneksport among the targets.
Such US measures are often largely symbolic, but can impact the international dealings of some firms.
Source: Agence France-Presse
