China hopes US fairly treats ZTE probe

China's second-largest telecommunications equipment maker ZTE is facing a FBI investigation into a sale of banned products to Iran.

Story highlights

• China's commerce ministry calls on the U.S. to "fairly" resolve the ZTE case. • A Reuters report said in March that ZTE sold banned telecom products it bought from the U.S. to Iran.

China urged the United States to fairly resolve a case in which it accused Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE of shipping banned U.S. computer products to Iran.

"We hope to receive objective, just and proper treatment from the United States," said Shen Danyang, a spokesman to China's commerce ministry at a routine news conference.

A Reuters report in March said the FBI has opened a probe in Shenzhen-based ZTE over sales of hardware and software it purchased from the U.S. tech firms to Iran's largest telecoms firm.

The products included a powerful surveillance system capable of monitoring landline, mobile and Internet communications, the report said.

According to Shen, China has kept normal, open and transparent economic and trade relations with Iran, not violating any UN Security Council resolution, and should not have to endure groundless criticisms.

China has clashed with the U.S. over sanctions against Iran since last year. The U.S. has used oil sanctions to force Iran to halt nuclear program.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao defended China's extensive oil trade with Iran against pressure from the west to impose sanctions in January, while also warning Tehran against any effort to acquire nuclear weapons.

China-Iran trade value reached US$45 billion in 2011 and is expected to increase to US$50 billion by 2012.