Washington, May 25 (CNA) Two US senators Thursday introduced legislation in the Senate, seeking to address Communist China's continued proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them.
Sens. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) said the "China Non-Proliferation Act" they have jointly introduced would address the proliferation issue in a responsible and balanced manner.
Torricelli told a Capitol Hill press conference that the decision by the House of Representatives to grant permanent normal trade relations status to China on Wednesday is a historic breakthrough in US-PRC relations, "but our relationships are not yet either complete or completely dependable. This is a necessary addition."
"It would, of course, be our preference if this could be added into the (PNTR) legislation now coming to the United States Senate. But if it is not possible, there is certainly a chance for the Senate independently to enact such provisions," said the New Jersey Democrat.
He stressed that the legislation represents no hostility to Beijing but is simply a reflection of reality. In his view, the economic relationship between the PRC and the international community has matured, but Beijing's observance of international arms control measures has not similarly developed.
Sen. Thompson noted that many commentators and people, including former Secretary of State Warren Christopher and former Senator Sam Nunn, agree that weapons of mass destruction are the greatest threat to the United States.
Although intelligence reports show that weapons of mass destruction owned by North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan pose an increasing threat to the world, the Communist Chinese, in large part, are responsible for this problem, because they have been assisting these nations in developing such weapons, said Thompson.
As a result, the Tennessee Republican added, the United States is debating whether to develop a national missile defense system.
Thompson predicted that US relationship with China over the next decade will be one of the most important policy issues for Washington. Although trade will be a large part of that, it "cannot be the totality of our considerations when we think of China," he added.
Thompson explained that the bill directed at China calls for an annual assessment of its proliferation activities and provides for measured responses and penalties based on the level of Beijing's proliferation activity. It interjects for the first time such issues as Beijing's access to US capital markets to raise funds for its military. (By Nelson Chung)
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