Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/24/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-271774

TITLE=U-S/CHINA (L)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: After only four days in office, the Bush Administration has already held a high level discussion with China on a range of issues, including human rights and President Bush's intention to pursue a national missile defense shield. At the State Department, Correspondent Nick Simeone reports China's ambassador Wednesday became the first foreign envoy to see Secretary of State Colin Powell.

TEXT: It was characterized as an introductory meeting, but the 30-minute session between Secretary Powell and Chinese ambassador Li Zhaoxing ended up covering a lot, including U-S plans to move forward with a system to defend the United States against a ballistic missile attack.

Ambassador Li avoided reporters but State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the Chinese envoy was equally clear in saying Beijing was opposed to the system.

China has already warned it may be forced to deploy more nuclear warheads to counter what it sees as an increased threat from the United States, if the Bush administration goes ahead with the plan.

Another sensitive issue that came up is human rights, with Secretary Powell telling China Washington will continue to be frank in addressing such issues. He pointed to Beijing's decision 18 months ago to outlaw the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

Spokesman Boucher drew attention to Tuesday's incident in Tiananmen Square during which five people apparently linked to the group set themselves on fire in a dramatic protest.

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I would renew our condemnation of China's crackdown on Falun Gong and call on China to release all those detained or imprisoned for peacefully exercising their internationally recognized right to freedom of religion.

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The Chinese ambassador became the first foreign envoy to see Secretary Powell only for reasons of scheduling - he is about to end a tour here and return home. But one U-S official says Wednesday's meeting served as a good opportunity for leaders in Beijing to find out right away what issues both countries should be thinking about. (SIGNED)

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