LOS ANGELES, April 18: China recently turned down a United States invitation to join the main international group seeking to limit the spread of missile technology, according to US officials cited in a media report.By not becoming a member of the 29-nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), China could continue to export missile components or missile technology to nations such as Pakistan or Iran, the Los Angeles Times said yesterday.
The US had hoped Beijing would accept group membership during US President Bill Clinton's visit to China next summer, according to the report.
The Times said the Chinese took a dim view of the proposal during a visit to Beijing at the end of March by John Holum, director of the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
