China rejects Trump claim over seized Iran ship

BEIJING: China on Friday rejected an accusation by U.S. President Donald Trump that an Iranian-flagged cargo ship intercepted by American forces was a “gift from China.”

The United States said it had fired on and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to evade a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s military said the ship had been travelling from China and condemned the incident as “armed piracy” by US forces, warning of retaliation.

Speaking to CNBC earlier this week, Trump claimed the ship “had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China perhaps, I don’t know.”

Responding to the remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegation.

“China opposes any accusations and associations that lack a factual basis,” Guo told reporters in Beijing.

He added that “normal international trade relations between countries should not be subject to interference and disruption.”

According to maritime security sources, the container ship Touska, seized by US forces on Sunday, is suspected of carrying dual-use items that Washington believes could have military applications.