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China denies U.S. espionage accusation

Chinese take photographs of the country's first capsule to be put in space and on display at China's National Military Museum, meant to showcase the country's military might, in Beijing April 15, 2012. China plans to put laboratories in space, collect samples from the moon and prepare to build space stations over the next five years, according to a government report. UPI/Stephen Shaver
1 of 3 | Chinese take photographs of the country's first capsule to be put in space and on display at China's National Military Museum, meant to showcase the country's military might, in Beijing April 15, 2012. China plans to put laboratories in space, collect samples from the moon and prepare to build space stations over the next five years, according to a government report. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

BEIJING, April 20 (UPI) -- Chinese officials have denied U.S. accusations that China's progress in space exploration is partly owed to espionage.

A report Wednesday by the U.S. Defense and State departments recommended loosening U.S. export controls on items used to build satellites and other relevant equipment but suggested maintaining or tightening controls on exports to particular countries such as China and Iran, and accused China of stealing space technology.

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"China deeply regrets the relevant report from the U.S. administration, and is firmly against the groundless accusation made against China," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told China's state-run news agency Xinhua.

"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.

China's achievements in space exploration are the result of hard pioneering work, innovation and diligence of the Chinese people, he said.

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