Chinese officials will head for Washington for arms control talks with the United States early next month, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on February 28.

 The officials will attend a Sino-US seminar on arms control in Washington, in which the two sides are to hold in-depth discussions and exchange views on issues concerning arms control, the ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at a news briefing.

  He said the two countries have mutual interest in, but some differing opinions on, arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation, and the seminar will provide an opportunity for further discussion.

  In order to abide by relevant international treaties and its commitment to nonproliferation, China has taken a very prudent and responsible stance, and has carried out strict and effective controls on the export of all sensitive items connected with weapons of mass destruction, Kong said.

  China also urged the international community to increase its nonproliferation efforts through establishing a fair and rational multilateral mechanism in which all nations are involved, he said.

  Any problems concerning nonproliferation should be properly solved through political and diplomatic means, he said.