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China denies spying on United States after 2 charged in missile case


Canadian Press


Wednesday, February 15, 2006


BEIJING (AP) - The Chinese government is denying it spies on the United States after U.S. officials charged a Taiwanese man and a Frenchman with trying to export missiles, a jet engine and other military equipment to China.

"This accusation saying that China is collecting intelligence in the United States is completely groundless," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

Ko-Suen (Bill) Moo, of Taipei, was charged last week in Miami with trying to buy cruise missiles, a jet engine for an F-16 fighter and other military parts and weaponry. The other man indicted, Maurice Serge Voros of Paris, is a fugitive.

The two men are accused of violating the U.S. Arms Export Control Act.

"China has very strict regulation and monitoring concerning the exporting of military products and we will not buy any military products from clients that could not offer legal documents," Liu said Tuesday at a regular news briefing.

Since 2000, there have been more than 400 investigations into alleged efforts by Chinese agents or front companies to buy or illegally divert U.S.-made weapons, military components and sensitive technology, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

The indictment said Moo deposited $3.9 million US in a Swiss bank account to pay for weaponry after he allegedly met with undercover U.S. agents he thought could arrange the sale.