DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / JIANG (L)
NUMBER=2-261223
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO:  Chinese President Jiang Zemin has begun a 
visit to Israel that is expected to focus on the sale 
of advanced military equipment - a transaction 
strongly opposed by the United States.  Correspondent 
Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT:  President Jiang Zemin is the first Chinese 
head-of-state to visit Israel as part of a bi-lateral 
relationship that relies heavily on the sale of 
Israeli military equipment to Beijing.

Israel is currently building a sophisticated early-
warning radar aircraft for China.  The 250-million 
dollar deal is strongly opposed by the United States 
because of concerns it could upset the military 
balance in the Pacific.

U-S officials are worried the plane could be used 
against Taiwanese or American aircraft during a 
military conflict in Asia.

China reportedly wants to buy more of the planes, but 
the United States has urged Israel to cancel the sale.

Foreign Minister David Levy says Israel will do 
nothing to harm the United States, but indicated arms 
sales to China will continue.

State-owned Israel Aircraft Industries, which won the 
contract to build the radar aircraft, employs 
thousands of people and China is one of its best 
customers.

Israel and China established diplomatic relations in 
1992, and ties have grown, despite Beijing's 
consistent support of a Palestinian homeland.  Mr. 
Jiang is scheduled to visit Palestinian-controlled 
territories during his trip.

Israel's first ambassador to China, Zev Sufott, says 
Beijing's primary interest in its relationship with 
Israel is obtaining military technology.

            /// SUFOTT ACT ///

      Of course, this is what originally, over 20-
      years ago, brought China and Israel together - 
      China's interest in Israel technologically.  
      Israel's both agricultural technology and our 
      military technology, but of course originally 
      our military technology.  

            /// END ACT ///

/// OPT ///  While China has played a limited role in 
the Middle East peace process, President Jiang's visit 
is expected to raise Beijing's profile in the region.

The Australian ambassador to Israel, Richard Rigby, 
who has held diplomatic posts in China, says Beijing 
would be a welcome participant in peacemaking efforts.

            /// OPT // RIGBY ACT ///

      While China has its good relationship with 
      Israel now, it continues to have good relations 
      with other countries in the region.  One would 
      hope that China would be able to exercise a 
      positive influence in helping to bring about 
      greater stability and understanding within the 
      Middle East as a whole.

            /// END ACT // END OPT ///

In addition to arms sales, Israel and China also have 
a large trade relationship in commercial and hi-tech 
merchandise that totaled hundreds-of-millions of 
dollars last year.

Mr. Jiang is scheduled to tour telecommunications and 
computer software firms, and sign agreements on 
industrial research and development.  The Chinese 
president is to meet Thursday with Israeli Prime 
Minister Ehud Barak.   (SIGNED)

NEB/MB/JWH/RAE



12-Apr-2000 12:20 PM EDT (12-Apr-2000 1620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.