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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


March 2005 - China Special Weapons News

  • CHECKPOINTS ON CHINESE-KYRGYZ BORDER OPERATING RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2005 -- Checkpoints on the Chinese-Kyrgyz border have been functioning normally, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a media briefing Tuesday.
  • CHINA-NOKOR VOA 29 Mar 2005 -- China has sent what it calls a "goodwill delegation" to North Korea as efforts continue to get Pyongyang to return to multi-nation talks on its nuclear ambitions. The visit comes as Washington's point man on the talks questions whether Pyongyang is serious about resolving the issue.
  • CHINA-KMT VISIT VOA 28 Mar 2005 -- A delegation of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party is visiting mainland China for the first time since the end of the Chinese civil war 56 years ago.The visit is aimed at easing tensions triggered by China's recent passage of an anti-secession law.
  • JAPAN CHINA ISLANDS VOA 28 Mar 2005 -- Japan has pushed Chinese diplomats for more information about Beijing's search for natural gas in areas of the ocean the two countries both claim. Japanese diplomats proposed the two governments take steps to improve ties.
  • China: Border Crossing With Kyrgyzstan Closed RFE/RL 26 Mar 2005 -- The semi-official China News Service announced in Beijing on 25 March that the Irkeshtam border trading station with Kyrgyzstan is closed and will remain so until 28 March, Reuters reported.
  • RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE COMMON VIEWS ON SOLUTION OF NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR PROBLEM RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2005 -- Russia and China have formed a common position on the solution of North Korean nuclear problem, Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Alekseyev told the journalists at the end of a round of consultations with Chinese officials in Beijing.
  • RUSSIA, CHINA AGREE ON WAR GAMES RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2005 -- Russia and China have removed all political discrepancies on an upcoming maiden bilateral military exercise, China to host. The information reached RIA Novosti from Vladimir Moltenskoi, second in command of the Russian land troops, who leads an ad hoc team to prepare the games.
  • FIRST RUSSIAN-CHINESE MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE HELD IN AUGUST RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2005 -- - The scenario of the first Russo-Chinese exercise has been determined, Colonel General Alexander Belousov, first deputy defense minister of Russia, told journalists in the village of Zhitovo on Thursday.
  • ENDING ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST CHINA WOULD BE TERRIBLE MISTAKE: MAC HEAD CNA 24 Mar 2005 -- The European Union lifting its arms embargo against China "would be a terrible mistake with serious ramifications for Taiwan and the world, " and Taiwan is pleased to see signs that the E.U. may delay ending the ban, Taiwan's top mainland China policy planner said in an opinion piece published Thursday in the Asian Wall Street Journal.
  • Talks between DPRK and Chinese Premiers Held KCNA 24 Mar 2005 -- Talks between Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju and Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao were held at the Great Hall of the People Tuesday afternoon.
  • Agreements on Cooperation Signed between DPRK and Chinese Governments KCNA 24 Mar 2005 -- An agreement on encouraging and protecting investment and an agreement on cooperation in the environmental protection between the DPRK and Chinese governments were signed in Beijing Tuesday.
  • Chinese Premier Hosts Banquet in Honor of DPRK Premier KCNA 24 Mar 2005 -- Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao hosted a banquet at the Great Hall of the People Tuesday evening in honor of Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju.
  • CHINA-NOKOR VOA 24 Mar 2005 -- China says there has been no breakthrough yet in its efforts to get North Korea to re-join multi-nation talks on ending its nuclear weapons program. Chinese officials say they have thus far failed to draw a commitment on the talks from Prime Minister Pak Pong Ju, who is on a six-day visit to China.
  • SPEAKER OF UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT ON ILLEGAL SALE OF X-55 MISSILES TO IRAN AND CHINA RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2005 -- Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Vladimir Litvin calls illegal sale of X-55 missiles "an attempt to tarnish the image of Ukraine." He spoke on "direct line" with readers of the Ukrainian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
  • RUSSIA LOSING OUT TO CHINA IN RUN-UP TO EXERCISE RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2005 -- The planned exercises between Russia and China this fall are becoming a source of increasing concern for Taiwan.
  • US / CHINA / TAIWAN VOA 23 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration is criticizing as unfortunate and unhelpful China's recent law giving its military a legal basis to attack Taiwan if the island moves toward independence. Asia analysts say the move will increase tensions across the Taiwan Strait and make dialog between Taipei and Beijing more difficult. This Saturday (March 26th) the government of Taiwan has called for one-million people to attend a demonstration in Taipei to protest the new law.
  • U.S. / CHINA MILITARY (PART TWO OF TWO) VOA 23 Mar 2005 -- China has been pursuing a sharp upgrade in its military capabilities, leading to concern in the United States about a change in the balance of power in the Pacific, where U.S. forces dominate. The European Union's desire to lift its 15-year-old arms embargo against China is adding to the concern.
  • US / CHINA MILITARY (PART ONE OF TWO) VOA 23 Mar 2005 -- Two developments are focusing renewed attention and concern in Washington toward China's military buildup. Earlier this month, China's legislature passed a law authorizing military action to take control of Taiwan, if it moves toward independence or if all other efforts at reunification fail. And at the same time, the European Union wants to lift its arms embargo against China, which was imposed after the Tiananmen massacre in 1989.
  • KEEP ARMS RACE OFF SPACE, CALL RUSSIA & CHINA RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2005 -- Russia and China appeal to the world to prevent space-based arms race and make a respective treaty.
  • "Anti-Secession Law" of China Supported KCNA 22 Mar 2005 -- Rodong Sinmun Monday runs a signed commentary titled "Just Measure for Country's Reunification and Territorial Integrity,
  • TAIWAN CONCERNED OVER RUSSIAN-CHINESE JOINT EXERCISE RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2005 -- Taiwan is concerned over the future Russian-Chinese joint military exercise, Lai Yichong, member of the board of directors of the Taibei-based analytical center "Taiwan", told RIA Novosti.
  • Rice Warns Against Lifting EU Embargo on Arms to China Washington File 21 Mar 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a European Union (EU) decision to lift its arms embargo against China "might actually serve to alter the military balance in a place where the United States, in particular, has very strong security interests."
  • CHINA / RICE VOA 21 Mar 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has concluded a week-long Asian tour with a stop in Beijing, where she urged leaders to improve China's human rights record. The top U.S. diplomat also called on Chinese leaders to respect religious freedom.
  • Rice Warns Against EU Arms Sales To China RFE/RL 21 Mar 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has issued a new warning against proposed European Union arms sales to China, saying such transfers could alter the military balance in Asia.
  • PREMIER OF CHINESE STATE COUNCIL HIGHLY ASSESSES RUSSIAN-CHINESE MILITARY TALKS RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2005 -- During the meeting with chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Yury Baluyevsky, Premier of the Chinese State Council Wen Jiabao said he considered Russian-Chinese military talks to be highly productive.
  • Ukrainian Official Says Missiles Exported To Iran, China RFE/RL 18 Mar 2005 -- Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Svyatoslav Piskun is quoted as saying Ukraine exported 12 cruise missiles to Iran and six to China in 2001.
  • RUSSIAN-CHINESE MILITARY EXERCISE IS QUITE LEGITIMATE AND TRANSPARENT RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2005 -- The forthcoming Russo-Chinese military exercise is not directed against any third parties, Russian General Staff Chief, General of the Army Yury Baluyevsky, now visiting Beijing, said Thursday.
  • CHINA TRYING TO USE RUSSIAN ARMY FOR ITS OWN PURPOSES RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2005 -- Yesterday, Chief of the Russian General Staff Yury Baluyevsky left for China to settle a scandal over the first Russian-Chinese military exercise, Commonwealth-2005, which is due to be held this fall off the Yellow Sea coast, writes Kommersant.
  • U.S. / CHINA / HUMAN RIGHTS VOA 17 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration said Thursday its decision not to pursue a resolution critical of China in the U.N. Human Rights Commission this year does not mean all its concerns about China's human rights record are resolved. But it is crediting China with some "significant and important" steps.
  • CHINA/EU VOA 17 Mar 2005 -- China's Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, has told the European Union that his country wants a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue, despite a new law authorizing force if Taiwan seeks formal independence.
  • CHINA-WORLD BANK NOMINEE VOA 17 Mar 2005 -- China, the World Bank's biggest customer, says it can work with whoever becomes the bank's next president. Beijing officials gave a muted response to the nomination of the conservative Paul Wolfowitz to head the non-profit lending institution.
  • CONGRESS / EU / CHINA VOA 16 Mar 2005 -- U.S. lawmakers are urging the European Union not to make good on a plan to lift its arms embargo on China, saying it would reward Beijing for its poor human rights record.
  • CONGRESS/CHINA VOA 16 Mar 2005 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a resolution sharply criticizing China for the approval by the National People's Congress in Beijing of a law authorizing the use of military force against Taiwan in the event of any secession attempt by Taipei.
  • U.S. VOICES OPPOSITION TO BEIJING'S ANTI-SECESSION LAW CNA 15 Mar 2005 -- The U. S. State Department again voiced its concern over Beijing's Anti-Secession Law Monday, calling the law's passage earlier the same day "unfortunate" and reiterating its opposition to the use of force to decide Taiwan's future.
  • FOREIGN MINISTER URGES E.U. NOT TO LIFT ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA CNA 15 Mar 2005 -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Tan Sun Chen urged the European Union Tuesday not to lift its arms embargo on China before the human rights situation is improved and a democratic system is implemented there.
  • DPRK FM Spokesman Supports China's Adoption of "Anti-Secession Law" KCNA 16 Mar 2005 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA Tuesday as regards the adoption of "Anti-Secession Law" in China:
  • EU Delegation Visits Washington to Discuss China Arms Embargo Washington File 15 Mar 2005 -- A group of delegates from the European Union is in Washington for meetings March 14-15 with representatives of various agencies and the U.S. Congress "to discuss the European Union's ideas regarding its China arms embargo," the State Department said.
  • US / EUROPE / CHINA VOA 15 Mar 2005 -- A special European Union delegation visiting Washington is finding resistance among officials, members of Congress and others to its effort to promote the EU's plan to lift its arms embargo against China. The delegation traveled to Washington to try to ease concerns about the plan, and to offer to start a strategic dialogue with the United States on overall China policy
  • CHINA-TAIWAN LAW VOA 15 Mar 2005 -- China fired back at critics of its new anti-secession law, which is widely viewed as a license for the mainland to someday attack Taiwan.

  • Order of the President of the People's Republic of China No. 34 People's Republic of China 14 Mar 2005 -- The following is the full text of the Anti-Secession Law adopted at the Third Session of the Tenth National People's Congress Monday

  • CHINA: TUNG REMOVAL, ANTI-SECESSION LAW 'RAISE INTERNATIONAL CONCERN' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 14 Mar 2005
  • RICE/CHINA/TAIWAN VOA 14 Mar 2005 -- The United States Monday branded as unfortunate and unhelpful the adoption by China's parliament of a law giving its military a legal basis to attack Taiwan if the island moved toward independence. The comments came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began her first Asian trip which will include a stop in China early next week.
  • CHINA'S MILITARY AMBITIONS VOA 14 Mar 2005 -- The European Union's 15-year-old embargo on arms exports to China is likely to be lifted by the middle of this year. The Europeans are looking forward to lucrative deals and strengthening of trade with China. The new Chinese leadership sees it as a major boost to its prestige and military ambitions. But the United States strongly opposes sales of European weapons, which could threaten US troops on their missions in Asia.
  • China: Parliament Authorizes Possible Attacks Against Taiwan RFE/RL 14 Mar 2005 -- The Chinese parliament on 14 March passed an antisecession law that authorizes the use of force against Taiwan if it tries to secede from China. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says the law is designed to advance the peaceful unification of China and Taiwan. But a government spokesman in Taiwan says Beijing must "bear the responsibility and pay a price" for enacting a law that authorizes war.
  • CHINA / TAIWAN VOA 14 Mar 2005 -- China says its anti-secession law, passed Monday at the annual legislative session, is not a license to go war with Taiwan. The law passed unanimously as international concerns mounted over Beijing's possible plans to attack the democratically ruled island.
  • CHINA/BLOODLESS SUCCESSION VOA 13 Mar 2005 -- Delegates at the annual session of China's National People's Congress have approved Chinese President Hu Jintao as head of the government's largely figurehead military body, completing a peaceful leadership transition that began more than two years ago. Mr. Hu replaces Jiang Zemin, who was China's president from 1993 until 2003.
  • ANTI-SECESSION LAW ABSURD: MAC CNA 12 Mar 2005 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged Beijing Saturday not to enact its "anti-secession law," calling it an absurd law that has stirred up resentment among the people in Taiwan.
  • CHEN URGES E.U. NOT TO LIFT ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST CHINA CNA 12 Mar 2005 -- President Chen Shui-bian on Saturday urged the European Union not to lift its arms embargo against mainland China before Beijing improves its human rights record and implements genuine democracy.
  • CHINA / HONG KONG POLITICS VOA 12 Mar 2005 -- China has named Hong Kong's outgoing leader, Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of Beijing's top political advisory council. The move is widely seen as a face-saving gesture for Hong Kong's unpopular chief executive, who announced his resignation Thursday.
  • China Must Enforce Its Nonproliferation Policies, Rademaker Says Washington File 11 Mar 2005 -- Although Beijing has taken important steps to strengthen its nonproliferation laws and policies, it needs to be more effective and consistent about enforcing them, says Stephen G. Rademaker, the assistant secretary of state for arms control.
  • CHINA SUPPORTS RUSSIA IN FIGHTING TERRORISM RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2005 -- China firmly supports Russia's efforts in fighting terrorism, Liu Jianchao, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in a statement that RIA Novosti received on Friday.
  • US/FRANCE/CHINA VOA 10 Mar 2005 -- France's defense minister said in Washington Thursday that the European Union will send a delegation to the United States next week to try to convince officials to accept the union's plan to stop enforcing the arms embargo against China.
  • EU URGED NOT TO LIFT ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST CHINA CNA 10 Mar 2005 -- A spokesman for Germany's ruling party said Wednesday that the European Union should not lift its arms embargo against China at a time when Beijing is reviewing whether to enact an anti-secession law which has escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
  • U.S. MILITARY BRASS CONCERNED ABOUT CHINA'S 'ANTI-SECESSION' LAW CNA 10 Mar 2005 -- Admiral William Fallon, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Thursday said he was concerned about China's "anti-secession" legislation.
  • BUSH/EUROPE/CHINA VOA 10 Mar 2005 -- Europe and the United States still differ on plans by the European Union to lift its arms embargo against China.
  • HONG KONG/ POLITICS VOA 10 Mar 2005 -- Hong Kong's embattled chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, has confirmed he has resigned, ending a week of speculation and nearly eight years as the territory's leader. Mr. Tung has been Hong Kong's first - and only - chief executive since the British left the territory in 1997.
  • U.S. CONGRESS MAY SANCTION FIRMS IF E.U. LIFTS ARMS BAN AGAINST CHINA CNA 09 Mar 2005 -- U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) said Tuesday that if the European Union lifts its arms embargo against China, some in Congress might support sanctions against companies in the EU who trade with China.
  • U.S. Expresses Concern on China's Anti-Secession Legislation Washington File 09 Mar 2005 -- Following is the official response to a question on China's proposed anti-secession law taken at the March 8 regular State Department briefing. The proposed legislation would authorize what is described as "non-peaceful" means to achieve reunification with Taiwan, if deemed necessary.
  • U.S./CHINA/TAIWAN VOA 08 Mar 2005 -- The United States has labeled as unhelpful a Chinese draft law that would effectively authorize the use of force against Taiwan if it takes concrete steps toward independence. The State Department says U.S. officials are urging both sides to avoid steps that would raise tensions.
  • US/CHINA MILITARY VOA 08 Mar 2005 -- The new commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral William Fallon, has expressed concern about the new anti-secession law China's legislature is expected to pass next week.
  • CHINA-ANTI SECESSION VOA 08 Mar 2005 -- China has unveiled a new anti-secession law that gives Beijing the legal basis to launch an offensive against Taiwan as a last resort.
  • CHINA-NPC EMBARGO VOA 06 Mar 2005 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is calling for an end to the European Union's arms embargo, saying his country does not intend to buy a large number of weapons.
  • CHINA-NPC-NOKOR VOA 06 Mar 2005 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing says he hopes multi-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs will resume soon.
  • CHINA / NPC VOA 05 Mar 2005 -- Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has opened the annual legislative session of the National People's Congress with a call for Taiwan's peaceful reunification with China and promises to keep the economy growing at a healthy pace.
  • CHINA-NPC SCENESETTER VOA 04 Mar 2005 -- China's National People's Congress - the country's top legislature - is preparing to open its annual session on Saturday with security issues in focus. Topping a busy agenda for Chinese lawmakers is an anti-secession law that analysts say could give China the legal basis to attack rival Taiwan. Deputies are also expected to approve a significant boost in military spending.
  • CHINA/NPC SECESSION VOA 03 Mar 2005 -- Legislation aimed at keeping Taiwan from declaring independence will be on the agenda when China's National People's Congress convenes this Saturday (March 5th). As Benjamin Sand reports from Hong Kong, the legislation has sparked a political uproar in Taiwan, and could worsen cross-strait relations.
  • CHINA-US RIGHTS VOA 03 Mar 2005 -- China has retaliated against U.S. criticism of Beijing's human-rights record by issuing its own condemnation, which accuses Washington of committing widespread rights violations.
  • CHINA KOREA TALKS VOA 02 Mar 2005 -- The senior Chinese delegate to the negotiations has arrived in Seoul as diplomatic efforts continue to bring North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks. He will take part in three days of meetings with South Korean and U.S. diplomats.
  • HONG KONG POLITICS VOA 02 Mar 2005 -- There is mounting speculation in Hong Kong that the territory's embattled chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, has resigned more than two years ahead of schedule. The former shipping magnate has been plagued by political and economic crises throughout his years in office.
  • U.S. CONGRESSMAN URGES E.U. NOT TO LET ARMS DEALERS DICTATE POLICY CNA 02 Mar 2005 -- U.S. House Representative Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) urged the European Union Tuesday not to let the vested interests of a few arms dealers dictate E.U. policy and not to lift its arms embargo on mainland China imposed in the wake of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
  • US / CHINA VOA 01 Mar 2005 -- The U.S. State Department is standing by its criticism of China's human rights policies, saying a dialogue on the subject is an important aspect of the relationship between the two countries.



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