China reacts cautiously to proposed tax on arms trade to feed poor

BEIJING (AFP) Jun 03, 2003
China reacted cautiously Tuesday to a proposed tax on arms trade to help finance a fund to feed the world's poor, while saying it backed any suggestion to alleviate the plight of the developing countries.

"We're willing to earnestly study all proposals that can help solve the problem of poverty in developing nations, and in particular the issue of starvation," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We're willing to look into the relevant proposals together with all parties."

The tax was pushed by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of a meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized democracies in France.

Leaders of large developing countries, such as China and Brazil, were invited to an "enlarged dialogue" at the G8 summit over the weekend.

Lula's proposal got support from French President Jacques Chirac, who said a tax on the weapons trade was an idea that should be closely considered.

China has pledged to improve its control over exports of sensitive military equipment, such as missile technology, but remains a large buyer of military hardware, especially from Russia.

WAR.WIRE