Senior Chinese leaders have assured a Jewish organizational leader that China would never sell nuclear arms and that any transfer of nuclear technology would be in strict compliance with international treaties.
Isi Liebler, co-chairman of the World Jewish Congress governing board, met recently with Chinese officials, including Wu Xue Qian, the vice chairman of the Chinese Political Consultative Committee.
Liebler urged Wu and other Chinese officials not to export nuclear technology or sophisticated arms to the Middle East that could threaten Israel’s security.
The United States and Israel have recently expressed concern at reported Chinese sales of ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia and Syria and nuclear technology to Iran.
“Notwithstanding China’s welcome moves to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, Jews throughout the world sought to be reassured from China that no activities were being undertaken that could threaten the security of Israel or strengthen the forces of terrorism,” Liebler told Wu.
The Chinese official replied that his country was actively promoting the peace process and that China had agreed to relevant international accords and treaties regarding arms transfers and would continue to act in strict accordance with them.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
