"No relevant Chinese company has assisted relevant programs in Iran," foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a regular briefing.

"We're against any organization using any method to engage in proliferation," she said.

The US State Department last week announced the termination of all existing contracts between the US government and the North China Industries Corporation, or NORINCO, as well as an Iranian company.

The United States imposed the sanctions after it determined NORINCO had helped Iran "use, acquire, design, develop, produce or stockpile missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction," according to a US official.

A key supplier of the People's Liberation Army of China, NORINCO also has a visible presence in the US market as an exporter of hunting rifles and other firearms.

Zhang said China had introduced tighter rules on missile technology exports in August last year.

"These rules have been implemented strictly and efficiently," she said.

WAR.WIRE