Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=08/23/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA/U-S MISSILE (S- HOLDING)

NUMBER=2-279617

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Talks are underway in Beijing on U-S allegations that China broke a promise not to share advanced missile technology with other

nations. China denies the charge. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Beijing.

TEXT: The U-S side is expected to ask whether a Chinese government-owned company sent missile parts to Pakistan, violating a pledge made last November not to share missile hardware with other countries.

The allegation surfaced in a U-S newspaper and was repeated by a delegation of U-S senators who met with China's president a couple of weeks ago.

Reporters caught the U-S negotiators, headed by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation Affairs Vann Van Diepen, as they

left their hotel Thursday, but learned little.

Chinese newspapers say the Chinese side will probably raise concerns about U-S weapons sales to Taiwan. Beijing considers the island to be a renegade province and regards the weapons sales a violation of its sovereignty. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/JO