Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Date= 4/11/2001

Type= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

Title= CHINA SASSER (L-O)

Number=2-274826

Byline= MICHAEL LELAND

Dateline= CHICAGO

Internet=YES

Content=

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INTRO: The most recent former U-S ambassador to China doubts the 11-day standoff over the crew of a downed Navy surveillance plane has seriously damaged relations between Washington and Beijing. James Sasser, who served during the Clinton administration, says this latest incident was less serious than the accidental U-S bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999. VOA's Michael Leland has more.

TEXT: James Sasser was ambassador to China in 1999, when U-S planes damaged the Chinese embassy during NATO bombing raids on Yugoslavia. He was trapped in the embassy in Beijing for several days, when Chinese people outraged at the bombing surrounded it. Speaking in Chicago Wednesday, he predicted the United States and China will eventually put the spy plane incident behind them.

He says China does not want to do anything to endanger its business ties to the United States.

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We are their second-largest market. Year in and year out American business is one of the largest investors in China, and the Chinese economy needs this American market.

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And, Mr. Sasser says American businesses will lobby lawmakers in Washington against adopting a harder line against China.

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American business sees China as a great market that is developing. China is the greatest market for aircraft in the 21st century. General Motors has invested a billion and a half dollars to build Buicks in Shanghai.

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Mr. Sasser, who is also a former U-S senator, says he also does not think this incident will influence the Bush administration's decision whether to sell military ships with advanced radar capabilities to Taiwan. That decision is expected later this month.

He predicts the United States will continue flying surveillance missions near China, as it has done for decades. But, he says this incident might encourage both sides to adopt what he calls "rules of the road" to prevent mid-air collisions in the future. (signed)

NEB/MJL/PFH