DATE=7/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-ARMS (L)
NUMBER=2-264155
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  China and the United States have resumed 
formal talks on arms control and non-proliferation -- 
suspended following the NATO bombing of China's 
embassy in Yugoslavia last year.  VOA correspondent 
Roger Wilkison reports though the talks mark a near 
complete return to normal ties between the two 
countries, Beijing and Washington strongly disagree on 
most of the issues under discussion.

TEXT:  The two-day talks come as the United States 
prepares to conduct a key test over the Pacific Ocean 
of a missile defense system Washington says could 
defend U-S territory from attacks by such countries as 
North Korea, Iraq and Iran.

China and Russia have voiced strong opposition to such 
a system, saying it will upset the global strategic 
balance and possibly neutralize their own missile 
forces.  China argues that what Washington sees as a 
threat from North Korea is overblown and cites that 
country's recent attempts to open to the outside world 
and seek rapprochement with South Korea.

But China is even more incensed over U-S plans for a 
so-called theater missile defense aimed at protecting 
U-S troops and allies in Asia.  Beijing is convinced 
such a system, which is still on the drawing boards, 
will be used to shelter Taiwan and thwart China's 
efforts to reunify the island with the mainland.  
China is also expected to complain about U-S arms 
sales to Taiwan, which Beijing says violate Sino-US 
agreements.

Washington has its own concerns.  It is worried about 
reports of continuing Chinese assistance to Pakistan's 
missile program.  China and Pakistan say such reports 
are untrue, but pressure is building in the U-S 
Congress for sanctions against China if it is found to 
be aiding other countries' programs to develop weapons 
of mass destruction or the means to carry them.

Still another dispute revolves around a deal for 
Israel to sell China an airborne radar system 
Washington fears could be used against Taiwan or even 
U-S aircraft in the region.  The Clinton 
Administration has put pressure on Israel to stop the 
sale, and China has complained about U-S interference 
in the matter.

Perhaps indicative of how far apart the two sides are 
on these issues, neither has wanted to discuss the 
content of the negotiations.  The top U-S negotiator, 
John Holum - who is President Clinton's top advisor on 
arms control - says he will speak with reporters on 
Saturday but will not talk about his discussions with 
the Chinese.  Beijing's Foreign Ministry has promised 
a briefing on its concerns, but not until next week.  
(signed)

NEB/HK/RW/JO/PLM



07-Jul-2000 04:46 AM EDT (07-Jul-2000 0846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.