Associated Press

Beijing, June 27:

China today complained about outside interference in its relations with Israel after reports that the Israeli government called off an arms deal under US pressure.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz yesterday said the government had confiscated key parts of unmanned “Harpy” drone aircraft sent to Israel by China for servicing.

Israeli officials said the United States had imposed sanctions on Israel over the deal.

A statement by China’s Foreign Ministry said development of relations with Israel “will not harm the interests of any third party,” without mentioning the arms deal or the United States.

“Other countries should not make unreasonable remarks regarding this,”

the statement said. It said relations should “overcome interference by outside elements.”