Chinese admission

China said on Tuesday that its sales of missiles and other weapons to Iran are principled and should not affect the renewal of its trading privileges by the US.

The state department reportedly told Congress recently that China sold anti-ship cruise missiles to Iran. Some members of Congress see the sale as further reason to deny China low-tariff treatment, or Most-Favored-Nation MFN status for its imports.

The United States reviews China8217;s MFN annually, making it one of the few US trading partners subjected to such scrutiny. Reviews have become heated since the Tiananmen episode in 1989.