Kuwait Asks China to Aid Ships
China is studying a request from Kuwait for Kuwaiti ships to be registered under the Chinese flag to provide protection in the Persian Gulf, a Chinese spokesman said Wednesday.
“Kuwait is very much concerned about the security of its shipping. . . , “ a Foreign Ministry spokesman told a news briefing. “We fully understand this and express our sympathy.”
The spokesman denied reports that Beijing has sold Chinese-made Silkworm missiles to Iran for use in its war with Iraq.
President Reagan plans to fly the U.S. flag on 11 Kuwaiti ships in the gulf as protection against possible attacks by Iran. In addition, Kuwait has chartered a small number of Soviet tankers to help move its oil out of the gulf.
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