Washington: Despite China's assurance that it would not help Pakistan in its nuclear programme, Beijing continues to provide nuclear weapon and ballistic missiles assistance to Islamabad, according to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

"We cannot rule out, however, some continued contacts subsequent to the pledge between Chinese entities and entities associated with Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme", it said in its latest six- monthly report to Congress.

The unclassified report noted that Beijing promised Washington in May 1996 not to provide assistance to unsafeguarded nuclear facilities.

It also noted that China had taken some steps to educate individuals and firms on new missile-related export control regulations.

However, the report said, "Chinese entities continued to work with Pakistan and Iran on ballistic-missile- related projects during the first half of 2003."

The report elaborates on the assistance Pakistan and other countries are receiving for developing its Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Advanced Conventional Ammunitions.

Chinese entity assistance has helped Pakistan move toward domestic serial production of solid- propellant SRBMs (Short-Range Ballistic Missiles) and supported Pakistan's development of solid-propellant MRBMs (Medium Range Ballistic Missiles), it said.

PTI