January 11, 2002	Friday	Shawwal 26, 1422

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BEIJING, Jan 10: Supply of arms to Pakistan has no link with the current tense situation in the region, said Sun Yuxi, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry.

He told reporters at a regular press briefing on Thursday that China had normal military trade relations with some countries, including Pakistan.

“On military trade we have always adopted a prudent and responsible attitude,” he added.

In reply to a question, the spokesman said the military trade between the two countries had been going on since long, and it was not related to the current tense situation between India and Pakistan.

China is deeply concerned with worsening relations between the two countries. “We hope both the countries will exercise restraint, and resolve their disputes through dialogue and consultation,” he added.

The spokesman said, “it is in their interest to maintain peace and stability in the region.” He said China would continue to persuade India and Pakistan to take steps for de-escalation of the tense situation.—APP

AIRCRAFT RECEIVED: Pakistan on Thursday said it had received 10 fighter aircraft from China but insisted the deal was unrelated to the current military stand-off between Islamabad and New Delhi, adds AFP.

Defence officials in Islamabad said they had received the first batch of 40 Chinese-made F-7PG fighters in December and the rest would be delivered this year.

“The delivery of the planes and the deal itself have no connection at all with the current crisis between India and Pakistan. It was a deal which was made early last year,” one official said.

Pakistan officials also denied reports that Beijing had supplied new defence equipment to Islamabad to bolster its capability in the current stand-off with India. India’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said in New Delhi that the reports of the delivery of the planes was an “issue of concern for us”.