Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 12/19/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= CHINA-MISSILE DEFENSE (L-ONLY)

BYLINE= LETA HONG FINCHER

DATELINE= BEIJING

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China is warning the new U-S administration that it strongly

opposes U-S plans to pursue national missile defense. As Beijing

Correspondent Leta Hong Fincher reports, China is concerned about

President-elect George W. Bush's campaign promise to push for deployment of

a strong missile defense system.

TEXT: Without explicitly naming the United States, Chinese Foreign

Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told reporters Tuesday that China is

gravely concerned about any plans to develop a national missile defense

system.

///ZHANG ACT IN CHINESE, EST. THEN FADE///

Ms. Zhang said that those countries intent on deploying the defense system

are going against the international trend of peace and development. She

said national missile defense would have a far-reaching and negative impact

on international stability.

President-elect George W. Bush promised voters that he would push for rapid

deployment of a strong missile defense system. His designated Secretary of

State Colin Powell indicated in a speech Saturday that he supported Mr.

Bush's commitment to missile defense, although he also said he planned to

discuss the proposed system with nations that oppose it.

China fears that a U-S national missile defense and the related theater

missile defense deployed in Asia would set off a global arms race and

undermine China's own limited nuclear deterrent. It also fears that a U-S

missile defense system could be used to defend Taiwan, which China

considers a renegade province. China reserves the right to use military

force to recover Taiwan if it declares independence or drags its feet on

reunification.

The United States is obligated under a 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to provide

enough military support for Taiwan to defend itself.

///ZHANG ACT IN CHINESE, EST. THEN FADE///

The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman also said that the issue of Taiwan is the

most sensitive and important issue in U-S-China relations, and urged the

United States not to interfere in China's internal affairs. (signed)

NEB/HK/LHF/FC

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