China denies US espionage accusation

China has termed as "groundless" American accusation that much of the progress in its space exploration programme was made through espionage.

"China deeply regrets the relevant report from the US administration, and is firmly against the groundless accusation made against China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a media briefing in Beijing on Friday.

The US report, jointly prepared by its defence and State Departments, while recommending loosening US export controls on items used to build satellites and other relevant equipment suggested maintaining or tightening controls on exports to particular countries like China and Iran, accusing them of obtaining space technology though espionage.

"The report mistakenly insisted on the two-decade-old satellite export restrictions against China, which was against the consensus reached between the two heads of state on enhancing space cooperation," Liu said.

The achievements made in China's space programmes should be attributed to the hard pioneering work, innovation and diligence of the Chinese people, he said.

"Any restriction, imputation or defamation against China's cause of space exploration will end in vain," Liu said.

He stressed that China would stick to peaceful development, constantly improve its capabilities in the peaceful use of outer space and carry out space cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.