China Accuses U.S. of Rumors on Iran Silkworms

China accused U.S. officials and the American news media Wednesday of spreading “groundless rumors” alleging that China is selling Silkworm anti-ship missiles to Iran.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Li Zhaoxing made the accusation in a prepared statement at a briefing for Chinese and foreign reporters.

He said the ministry had been asked to comment on reports “by U.S. newspapers that China had sold 96 missiles to Iran and there were Chinese military specialists in Iran helping operate Silkworm missiles.”

“Here is our reply,” Li said. “All these are groundless rumors. Recently the U.S. press has been trying to give the international community the impression (that) China has become the biggest arms supplier for Iran and has been spreading such rumors. This is really ridiculous. We express our strong dissatisfaction with the practice of shifting to China the responsibility for the escalation of tension in the (Persian) Gulf. Such attempts will get nowhere.”

Li took no questions at the briefing, which was called for the purpose of making a series of Foreign Ministry announcements.

U.S. officials in Washington have said that China is Iran’s principal arms supplier, with annual sales of about $1 billion. Last month, Washington suspended liberalization of high-technology exports to China in retaliation. The Chinese government has consistently denied selling weapons to Iran and insists that it has been strictly neutral in the war between Iran and Iraq.

Chinese officials have acknowledged, however, that Iran may have acquired Chinese-made arms through third countries. They have said that China is trying to prevent such sales.