Space

DATE=07/16/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA / U-S MISSILE (L)

NUMBER=2-278272

BYLINE=KIRK TROY

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Chinese officials say the U-S plan to build a missile defense system will undermine global stability. As Kirk Troy reports from Beijing, the statement comes after a successful U-S missile test, Saturday.

TEXT: Beijing's foreign ministry criticized the U-S national missile defense plan, saying it was not "favorable" to the present global strategic balance. According to Chinese officials, Washington should adopt what they call prudent measures on the issue and consider opinions of other countries.

Chinese officials have repeatedly voiced opposition to the U-S defense plan, saying it threatens to start a new global arms race and that it would encourage the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The statement from Beijing Monday comes after a successful test Saturday night, in which a U-S missile interceptor in the South Pacific destroyed a mock warhead launched from California.

Chinese officials fear a working missile defense shield would effectively nullify China's small nuclear arsenal and cancel out its short-range missiles deployed near Taiwan.

The Chinese response to the test came after a similar reaction in Russia. Chinese President Jiang Zemin is in Moscow, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U-S missile defense is expected to be high on the agenda during talks over the next few days. (signed)

NEB/HK/KT/HB/WD