Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3-6-01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-273337

TITLE=CHINA-US-TAIWAN (L)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China's Foreign Minister is warning Washington not to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, saying such actions could do serious harm to U-S-Chinese relations. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Beijing the Bush administration is said to be considering a long shopping list of military hardware for possible sale to the island.

TEXT: Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan says the sale of U-S built ships with powerful weapons would send the wrong signal to what he called the small number of pro-independence forces on Taiwan.

In a meeting with reporters on the sidelines of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, the foreign minister said such sales would raise cross straits tensions and do nothing to advance U-S interests. Speaking through a translator, he urged Washington to come to what he called a - sober-minded - approach to this issue.

/// TANG ACT ///

The U-S side should come to the recognition of the serious dangers involved. It should rein in this wild horse, right on the side of the precipice.

/// END ACT ///

Foreign Minister Tang made it clear that anti-ballistic missile systems would be particularly troubling to Beijing.

Some missile defense advocates say the powerful radars, computers, and missiles on an upgraded Aegis ship could eventually form the core of a ballistic missile defense for Taiwan. That is important because China's most significant military threat to Taiwan is the fleet of hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles it has deployed within reach of the island's airfields, ports, and power plants.

Last year, Washington rejected Taiwan's request for Aegis class ships, worried the sale might spark an arms race in East Asia. U-S law requires Washington to sell the island enough weapons for its defense, and a decision on this year's request is expected in a matter of weeks.

Foreign Minister Tang says, through a translator, continued U-S interference is blocking reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, an issue of huge importance to China.

/// TANG ACT 2 ///

If the United States, as an outside factor, had not wreaked havoc at certain times, then the Taiwan question would have been resolved a long time ago.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Tang says Taiwan will be a key issue when Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen heads for Washington later this month. Mr. Qian will be the first high-ranking Chinese official to visit the United States during the Bush Administration.

Taiwan split from China at the end of China's civil war in 1949. Beijing says the island should be brought under central

government control and threatens military action if Taiwan formally declares independence. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/JR/JO/RAE