China denied reports that two Nepalese Maoist guerrillas...

China denied reports that two Nepalese Maoist guerrillas suspected of smuggling arms across the Himalayan border had been sentenced to death, but confirmed that they were being tried. "As far as I know, this case is still being heard," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. "China's judicial court will strictly and in accordance with regulations in the criminal law, hand down a fair decision." Hirala Lal Shrestha and Gyaljen Sherpa were arrested in October 2003 in a Tibetan border village and were subsequently sentenced to death.