DATE=1/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / US / MILITARY (L)
NUMBER=2-258380
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 


INTRO: One of Beijing's top generals is in Washington 
for talks aimed at restoring frayed relations between 
the United States and China.  V-O-A's Jim Randle 
reports, the official is holding a whirlwind series of 
meetings with top U-S diplomats, lawmakers, and 
military leaders.

TEXT:  China's Lieutenant General Xiong Guangkai 
(prono: shung guan-kai), met with the State 
Department's top arms control official, John Holum, 
and America's third ranking diplomat, Thomas 
Pickering.  U-S officials say the discussions focused 
on non-proliferation and regional security issues, but 
would give no details.

Other meetings are set with U-S based experts on 
China, some key Senators, and Defense Secretary 
William Cohen and other top military officials.

Xiong Guangkai is a key intelligence official for 
China, and U-S officials say the exchange of views may 
help resolve lingering Chinese anger over the 
accidental U-S bombing of the Chinese embassy.

That incident during the Kosovo conflict killed three 
people and severely damaged relations already strained 
by arguments over the spread of Chinese missile 
technology, proposed U-S weapons sales to Taiwan, 
espionage allegations against China, and several other 
issues.

The Chinese official is expected to stay in Washington 
until Wednesday.  The talks may clear the way for a 
visit to Beijing by the top commander of all U-S 
forces in the Pacific and Defense Secretary Cohen.

Experts on China say its huge size and growing 
military prowess make it vital that Beijing get along 
with Washington, which fields the world's most 
powerful military.   (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/RAE



24-Jan-2000 14:42 PM EDT (24-Jan-2000 1942 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.