DATE=3/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-TAIWAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260008
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China says it is deeply concerned over reports
that the United States is prepared to sell 162 Hawk
anti-aircraft missiles and equipment needed to upgrade
an aging radar system to Taiwan. VOA correspondent
Roger Wilkison reports, Beijing is objecting to the
proposed sale, which it says violates a U-S pledge to
China that it will not transfer sophisticated weapons
to Taiwan.
TEXT: The US Defense Department has notified Congress
that Taiwan has asked for the anti-aircraft missiles
and the radar equipment and that it is ready to
authorize the sale if Congress does not object.
Despite rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the
proposed 202-million dollar deal is much more modest
than previous sales of weapons to Taiwan.
Even though the Pentagon says the potential sale will
not affect the basic military balance across the
Strait, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao
- speaking through an interpreter - says Beijing has
protested the transaction.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
We have made solemn representations to the US side.
The Chinese government and people are always firmly
opposed to the U-S sale of sophisticated weapons to
Taiwan.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Washington has committed itself under three joint
communiques that govern China-U-S relations to
gradually reduce and eventually halt arms sales to
Taiwan. But under a 1979 law, the United States has
continued to provide the island with defensive
weapons.
Beijing considers Taiwan a rebel province and Mr. Zhu
accuses Washington of interfering in China's internal
affairs by thwarting its efforts to entice the island
into reuniting with the mainland.
/////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////
The U-S side keeps on violating its commitments by
selling a large amount of sophisticated weapons to
Taiwan persistently. It constitutes a severe
encroachment on China's sovereignty and flagrant
interference in China's internal affairs.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Zhu says U-S weapons sales to Taiwan help those
people on the island who want Taiwan to declare formal
independence. And he says Washington should correct
what he calls its error and do more to promote peace
and stability across the Strait.
The United States recently expressed concern over a
Chinese government White Paper in which Beijing warned
Taiwan that it risks attack if it continues to drag
its feet on entering negotiations on reunification.
(SIGNED)
NEB/RW/FC/PLM
09-Mar-2000 05:38 AM EDT (09-Mar-2000 1038 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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