China dismisses claims of support to Iran's military as 'false information'

China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday denied claims that Chinese firms offered chip equipment and intelligence support to Iran's military, dismissing them as "false information".

The ministry's spokesman Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks at an online news briefing on Thursday in response to media reports claiming that the Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp provided chipmaking equipment to Iran's military and that a Chinese commercial satellite company had released images of United States' military bases in the Middle East.

Zhang said China firmly opposes the spread of "speculative, insinuative and false information" targeting the Chinese side.

He also rejected remarks by US officials who claimed they were aware of actions taken by China and Russia to help Iran and would respond if necessary.

"China's position on the Iran issue is aboveboard and straightforward. We have always upheld an objective and impartial stance," Zhang said, noting that China has consistently worked to promote peace talks and "never added fuel to the fire".

"Who is saying one thing and doing another, and who is creating wars and conflicts around the world? The international community sees this very clearly," the spokesman said.

(China Daily)