China denies detention of over 100 Chinese 'spies' by N Korea

China today refuted reports that its close ally and neighbour North Korea has detained 100 Chinese nationals on the charges of spying.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang described as "sheer fiction" recent media reports that said more than 100 Chinese nationals were arrested in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) for alleged espionage.
"Violation of laws or criminal activities by Chinese residing in the DPRK are individual cases, there's no 'spies' at all, and the so-called 'hundred of Chinese nationals arrested' is sheer fiction," the unnamed spokesperson was quoted by state-run China Daily.
The reports of arrests of the Chinese followed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's move to abruptly withdrew his country's famous all women pop band from China peeved by top Chinese leaders to attend its performance.

The espionage report was initially made by a website called "Daily NK" and was cited on Tuesday by some media in the Republic of Korea, including the Kookmin Ilbo newspaper.
Currently, there are around 3,000 Chinese nationals working or living in the DPRK, the Chinese embassy said.

"They observe the law, are disciplined and work with diligence", the spokesperson said.
Chinese nationals "have made great contributions to the DPRK's economic and social development and the socialist construction along with the DPRK people, and they have played an important role in inheriting and carrying forward the China-DPRK traditional friendship," the spokesperson added.

The two sides are dedicated to developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship on a proactive basis, and "the public in the two countries are an important impetus for developing the China-DPRK relationship", the spokesperson said.
Strains appeared in recent times in ties between China and North Korea which were close allies for decades as Beijing tried to improve its relations with DPRK's arch rival South Korea.