Question: German newspaper Die Welt reported that China is providing assistance to Egypt in developing nuclear weapons. What抯 the comment of the Chinese Embassy?

Answer: This report is a complete fabrication.

As a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), China has always adopted a serious and responsible approach to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and pursued a policy of not supporting, encouraging or engaging in the proliferation of nuclear weapons and not assisting any other country in the development of such weapons.

China supports the initiative of establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (Middle East NWFZ/WMD-Free Zone) by the Middle East countries and China is endeavoring to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East region.

China follows three principles regarding nuclear exports: exports serving peaceful use only, accepting safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and no retransfers to a third country without China's consent. China has strictly fulfilled all its obligations under the NPT, including the obligation of safeguard application. In the meantime, China fully cooperates with the IAEA in this respect.

The Cooperation Agreement on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy signed by the Chinese and Egyptian Governments in January 2002 and relevant cooperation carried out in accordance with this Agreement are fully compliant with these principles.