(SomaliNet) A shipment of weapons bound for Zimbabwe would be recalled after South African port workers refused to unload it, China said on Thursday. "To my knowledge, the Chinese company has decided to recall the ship and the relevant goods bound for Zimbabwe," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference.
Earlier, Zambia, which chairs the Southern African Development Community grouping, had urged regional states to bar the An Yue Jiang from entering their waters, saying the weapons could deepen Zimbabwe's election crisis.
Jiang said the reason was the same she gave on Tuesday -- that the ship had been unable to unload its goods, but she defended the shipment. "In the field of conventional weapons, we have trade relations with some countries. These are consistent with our laws and with Security Council resolutions and China's international obligations.
"We have been very responsible and cautious with regards to weapons exports." |