China is "deeply shocked'' at the US Defence Department's report
that includes China in a list of seven countries that would be
subjected to a US nuclear attack under emergency, according to
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi.
A
Los Angeles Times report on Saturday said a US Defence Department
study outlined a contingency plan to use nuclear weapons against
seven countries, consisting of China, Russia, Iraq, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria.
China is a peace-loving nation that does not impose a threat to any
country, said Sun.
He
added that China has all along advocated the comprehensive ban and
complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapon countries should commit themselves to the
unconditional no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and promise not to
use or threaten to use nuclear weapons on nuclear weapon-free
countries and regions, said Sun.
He
also noted that China and the US have agreed not to target each
other with their nuclear weapons.
Stressing that the Cold War mentality is not in line with the
current trend for peace, co-operation and development, and will not
succeed, Sun urged the US to explain the report.
Concerning the situation in Madagascar, Sun called on relevant
parties to pay more attention to the state's supreme interest and
national unity, to have an attitude of restraint, and to find a
proper settlement to the political crisis through dialogue.
The spokesman said that China supports the efforts made by the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) to solve the crisis in
Madagascar.
Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana claims he beat President
Ratsiraka in presidential elections in December, and has named his
own government.
(China Daily March 12,
2002)