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05 September 2001

Text: U.S. to Hold Intensive Discussions with China on Missile Defense

(September 4 White House statement)  (530)
In support of President Bush's policy to reduce the level of nuclear
weapons in the world and lessen the risk of nuclear war, the United
States will hold "intensive discussions" with the Beijing regime in
coming weeks, according to a September 4 White House statement.
"Our consultations with China will make clear that the U.S. missile
defense program does not threaten China but seeks to counter limited
missile threats from rogue states and the danger of accidental or
unauthorized launches," according to the statement issued by the White
House Office of the Press Secretary.
"We believe missile defense can contribute to stability in Asia," the
White House statement said.
Missile defense, it continued, "is an important element of our broader
strategy to combat proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass
destruction."
Following is the text of the September 4 White House statement on U.S.
discussions on missile defense with Beijing:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 4, 2001
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The President's policy is to seek to reduce the level of offensive
nuclear weapons in the world, to lessen the risk of nuclear war, and
to protect the United States and its military forces, allies, and
friends from threats like ballistic missile attack. In that context,
the United States will hold intensive discussions with China on this
subject in the coming weeks. In those discussions, we will share with
the Chinese the same briefing on our missile defense testing program
that we have shared with our Asian and European allies and friends and
with the Russians.
Our consultations with China will make clear that the U.S. missile
defense program does not threaten China but seeks to counter limited
missile threats from rogue states and the danger of accidental or
unauthorized launches. Only those foreign parties with hostile intent
toward the United States have grounds to fear U.S. missile defense.
The United States will not seek to overcome China's opposition to
missile defense by telling the Chinese that we do not object to an
expansion of their nuclear ballistic missile force. Nor will we
acquiesce in any resumption of nuclear testing by China. We are
respecting the nuclear testing moratorium and all other nations should
as well.
No one should try to blame the modernization of China's offensive
nuclear forces on our missile defense efforts. China's ongoing
modernization effort was initiated years ago. We will tell the Chinese
that it is unnecessary and that it is not good for regional stability
or for peace.
We believe missile defense can contribute to stability in Asia.
Moreover, missile defense is an important element of our broader
strategy to combat proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass
destruction. The export of Chinese missile technology continues to be
a concern (which is why we imposed sanctions on a Chinese company on
Saturday) as does the Chinese buildup of short-range ballistic
missiles.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)