Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/15/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-276031

TITLE=CHINA / MISSILE DEFENSE (L-update)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: UPDATES CR 2-276026 W/ FOREIGN MINISTRY COMMENT;

TALKS FINISH LATE TUESDAY; KELLY LEAVES FOR VIETNAM WEDNESDAY ///

INTRO: A senior U-S diplomat is wrapping up (has wrapped up / concluded) talks in Beijing with very skeptical Chinese officials about a planned U-S missile defense system. V-O-A's Jim Randle says, the discussions have produced no apparent change in China's adamant opposition to the U-S security proposal.

TEXT: Newly-appointed Assistant Secretary of State Jim Kelly had a tough assignment Tuesday: Make Washington's case that proposed missile defenses will not endanger China's security. Before the meetings here in Beijing, he tried to put a positive spin on the wide gap between the two sides.

/// KELLY ACT ///

China clearly shares with us an interest in promoting peace and stability in East Asia and in the world. And curbing the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction is a key element in the maintenance of peace and security.

/// END ACT ///

Later Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi repeated Beijing's often-stated view that U-S missile defenses are a menace to China and to peace in general. Mr. Sun, speaking through a translator:

/// SUN ACT ///

The constant position of China remains unchanged. We oppose the development of N-M-D [a nuclear-missile defense system] by the U-S side because, in our view, this disrupts the global strategic balance and stability.

/// END ACT ///

Washington maintains the plan is designed to protect U-S cities from missile attacks launched by North Korea or Iraq, and is not aimed at China.

Beijing officials say whatever the intent of the U-S missile shield, if it works as designed, it could stop the few dozen Chinese missiles capable of reaching the United States. They say this would leave Beijing open to bullying by Washington, which commands thousands of nuclear weapons.

Beijing also strongly objects to the possibility that Taiwan might be protected by some kind of U-S - built missile defense system. China considers the island to be a rebellious province that should be returned to central government control - by force, if necessary. But the threat of force would not be credible if China's hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles are rendered irrelevant by an effective missile defense.

Mr. Kelly is part of a team of U-S diplomats meeting with foreign governments to press the case for U-S missile defenses. Mr. Kelly says President Bush sent him and other senior U-S envoys around the world to talk to "friends, allies and other interested states" about a new security framework that reflects today's world.

/// REST OPT ///

Besides missile defenses, Mr. Kelly says that new framework includes renewed efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles that can deliver them. He also repeated a U-S promise to cut the number of U-S nuclear weapons sharply, under certain circumstances. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/JO/WTW