China Accuses Media of Publishing 'Misinformation' Over Alleged Chip Equipment Transfer to Iran

Beijing. China's Foreign Ministry on Friday accused the media of publishing 'misinformation' following reports that the country's top semiconductor company had sent chip-making equipment to Iran.

The report, citing information from two unnamed senior officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump, stated that "the chip manufacturing company (SMIC) had started sending equipment to Iran almost a year ago."

Quoting a US official, the report said, "All of this has been stopped, so there is no need for them to doubt this." China is a major partner of Iran but has not announced military support for Iran in the war that began after the US-Israel attack on February 28.

SMIC declined to respond to AFP's request for comment on Friday. When asked about the report at a regular press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that he was 'unaware of the situation.'

"What I can tell you is that recently, some media, some news outlets are eager to release things that look true but are completely false," Lin said. He added, "After verification, all such reports were found to be 'misinformation'." However, he did not provide detailed information about this.

China condemned the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by the US-Israel but stated it would make 'no comment' on the attack on the US military base in the Gulf country.

Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi expressed confidence in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi this week that 'all parties should take advantage of every chance and opportunity for peace and start the peace negotiation process.'