Spokesperson on China-US strategic and security consultation(Feb 22, 2000)
Q: Would you please brief us on the just-concluded China-US strategic and security consultation?
A: From February 17 to 18, 2000£¬Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held strategic and security consultations with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Talbott. Mr. Slocombe, US Under Secretary of Defense, Gen. Ralston, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Mr. Steinberg, Deputy Assistant to the US President on National Security Affairs and US Ambassador to China Prueher were present at the consultations. On February 18, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission Zhang Wannian, Minister Liu Huaqiu and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Xiong Guangkai met with Mr.Talbott and his delegation respectively.
During the China-US strategic and security consultations, the two sides exchanged views on regional and global security, ballistic missile defense and bilateral relations (US's arms sale to Taiwan in particular) in a candid and in-depth manner.
Regarding the regional and global security question, China expounded its position and view on the global security situation and the new security concept by reviewing a series of latest developments in the international security fields in recent years.
Ballistic missile defense was one of the core topics of the consultation. The US side noted that US developed TMD and NMD to counter the so-called "rogue states"and to enhance the security of US. The US side went on to brief the Chinese side about its basic plan. The Chinese side pointed out that the excuses offered by US did not hold water. The plan was not in the interest of global strategic balance and stability. Nor did it serve regional peace and security. It would not only impair the legitimate security interests of the other countries, but also undermine US's own interests. Therefore, it was our hope that the US side should take into consideration the political and strategic price it would have to pay in pursuing the NMD plan and would forgo the test and deployment of NMD which was detrimental to stability and would do no good to U.S. while injuring others.
As regards China-US relations and the Taiwan question, the Chinese side pointed out to the US side during the talks and consultations that the maintenance and development of friendly cooperative and normal state-to-state relations between China and the United States, two major countries with important influence in the world, is of great significance for the maintenance of world peace and the promotion of the global economic development. Last year, Sino-US relations went through considerable fluctuations. Thanks to the joint efforts of the leaders and governments of the two countries, particularly after the meeting between President Jiang Zemin and President Clinton in Auckland, Sino-US relations have been restored and developed. At present, Sino-US relations are faced with opportunities for further improvement and development, but there are also challenges. The Chinese side is ready to work together with the US side to advance Sino-US relations in the direction and towards the goal set by the two leaders. The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan question has always been the most important and most sensitive issue at the core of Sino-US relations. It is the hope of the Chinese side that the US side will properly handle the Taiwan question in strict accordance with the three Sino-US joint communiques and the relevant commitments it has made, as this is of crucial importance to the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations.
The US side expressed that, the Clinton administration is committed to developing US-China relations and President Clinton is determined to push, in the remaining time of his term, for the further development of US-China relations towards the establishment of a constructive strategic partnership. President Clinton is firmly committed to building the support of the US Congress for permanent NTR with China. On the Taiwan question, Mr. Talbott noted, the US side realizes the importance and sensitivity of the question and strictly observes the "one China" principle, the three Sino-US joint communiqu¨¦s and the "three-no" commitment. Mr. Tolbott stated that the US Government is opposed to the "Taiwan Security Enhancement Act" and will block the bill from becoming law.
The two sides agreed that China and the US bear special responsibilities for world and regional peace, stability and security. The two sides expressed their desire to promote contact, enhance mutual understanding, broaden consensus and promote cooperation. The current consultation is conducive to enhance mutual understanding of each other's consideration and position. The US side expressed that it attaches great importance to the viewpoints and position stated by the Chinese side in the consultations and will considerate it seriously.
