DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-COHEN (L)
NUMBER=2-264339
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: US Defense Secretary William Cohen has opened
talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, General
Chi Haotian, as China stepped up its criticism of US
plans for a national anti-missile defense system. VOA
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Cohen's visit
is designed to shore up military ties between the two
nations despite deep differences over global and
regional strategic issues.
TEXT: For the past week, China has launched a barrage
of criticism against US proposals for a national
missile defense to protect vulnerable parts of the
United States from missile attacks by such countries
as North Korea. The English-language China Daily
newspaper said Wednesday such plans will spark a new
arms race and cause world instability. And Mr.
Cohen's host, General Chi, was quoted by the official
Xinhua news agency as telling the US defense secretary
that Washington should listen to appeals by the
international community and abandon the proposed
system as soon as possible.
US diplomats say Mr. Cohen told General Chi the
system, commonly known as NMD, is not aimed at China,
despite Beijing's fears that it is. The diplomats
also say that Mr. Cohen told General Chi about US
plans for a regional theater missile defense designed
to protect US troops and allies in East Asia. China
angrily opposes that system, too, fearing it will be
used to shelter Taiwan and thus thwart Beijing's
efforts to bring the island back under its fold. The
United States has not ruled that out, but the
diplomats say Mr. Cohen informed General Chi no final
decision has been made on deploying either system.
Washington has its own concerns. It is worried about
reports that China continues to supply missile
technology to Pakistan and other countries, a charge
China denies. But, although they will not say so
publicly, Chinese officials have occasionally linked
their country's sales of missile components to US arms
sales to Taiwan, which they regard as interference in
a domestic affair and a violation of China's
sovereignty. China regards Taiwan as a wayward
province that must be reunited with the mainland - by
force, if necessary.
Though Chinese and US diplomats say all these divisive
issues were discussed in Wednesday's talks, the two
principals - General Chi and Secretary Cohen - sought
to stress the importance of maintaining a regular
dialogue on security matters. The Chinese defense
minister says the talks will deepen mutual
understanding. While Mr. Cohen says open and frank
discussions of the issues are important in both good
times and bad. (signed)
NEB/HK/RW/JO
12-Jul-2000 07:11 AM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1111 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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