FOREIGN MINISTRY DEFENDS ARMS SALES TO CHINA.

A Russian deputy foreign minister told parliament members June 7 that China poses no threat to Russia in the foreseeable future and that Moscow’s arms sales to Beijing are not of a scope or a level of sophistication to put Russia’s security at risk. Aleksandr Panov also described as "very dangerous" media reports of an alleged Chinese expansionist threat. According to Panov, Moscow and Beijing are interested only in ensuring stability and political predictability. He said that Moscow strictly observes international norms in its arms dealings with China, and that all military sales are registered appropriately with the U.N. Much of the military technology involved was designed 10-20 years ago, he added. (Itar-Tass, June 7)

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