Daily Press Briefing
Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
December 10, 2002
INDEX:
CHINA/TAIWAIN | |
| 9-10 | Washington Post Article on Chinese Missiles Aimed at Taiwan |
TRANSCRIPT:
(...)
QUESTION: About China, there is an article this morning in The Washington Post suggesting that China could link the deployment of short-range missiles facing Taiwan to US arms sales to the Taiwanese military. Do you have anything on that?
MR. REEKER: From our standpoint -- I read that article, as I am sure many of you did -- I do not believe there is anything particularly new here. As you know, the United States pursues a 'One China' policy based on the three joint communiqués between the United States and the People's Republic of China, and the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act requires the United States to assist Taiwan in meeting its self-defense needs.
I can just say that there is absolutely no change in our policy. We have made clear to the Chinese our strong interest in a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue, and we hope that the People's Republic of China and Taiwan will resume direct dialogue. We have said that many times in the past.
QUESTION: But, can I go at it another way? Assuming that the Chinese are willing to restrain their deployment of missiles on their side of the Taiwan Straits, would that affect the way the United States looks at arms sales to Taiwan?
MR. REEKER: I think, again, I will just repeat what our policy is. You know what the law is. We closely monitor events on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and our longstanding position has been that the PRC and Taiwan should resolve their differences through dialogue. Our policy remains exactly as it has been.
(...)
(The briefing was concluded at 1:55 p.m.)
[End]
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