DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-COHEN (L)
NUMBER=2-264339
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  US Defense Secretary William Cohen has opened 
talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, General 
Chi Haotian, as China stepped up its criticism of US 
plans for a national anti-missile defense system.  VOA 
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Cohen's visit 
is designed to shore up military ties between the two 
nations despite deep differences over global and 
regional strategic issues.

TEXT:  For the past week, China has launched a barrage 
of criticism against US proposals for a national 
missile defense to protect vulnerable parts of the 
United States from missile attacks by such countries 
as North Korea.  The English-language China Daily 
newspaper said Wednesday such plans will spark a new 
arms race and cause world instability.  And Mr. 
Cohen's host, General Chi, was quoted by the official 
Xinhua news agency as telling the US defense secretary 
that Washington should listen to appeals by the 
international community and abandon the proposed 
system as soon as possible.

US diplomats say Mr. Cohen told General Chi the 
system, commonly known as NMD, is not aimed at China, 
despite Beijing's fears that it is.  The diplomats 
also say that Mr. Cohen told General Chi about US 
plans for a regional theater missile defense designed 
to protect US troops and allies in East Asia.  China 
angrily opposes that system, too, fearing it will be 
used to shelter Taiwan and thus thwart Beijing's 
efforts to bring the island back under its fold.  The 
United States has not ruled that out, but the 
diplomats say Mr. Cohen informed General Chi no final 
decision has been made on deploying either system.

Washington has its own concerns.  It is worried about 
reports that China continues to supply missile 
technology to Pakistan and other countries, a charge 
China denies.  But, although they will not say so 
publicly, Chinese officials have occasionally linked 
their country's sales of missile components to US arms 
sales to Taiwan, which they regard as interference in 
a domestic affair and a violation of China's 
sovereignty.  China regards Taiwan as a wayward 
province that must be reunited with the mainland - by 
force, if necessary.

Though Chinese and US diplomats say all these divisive 
issues were discussed in Wednesday's talks, the two 
principals - General Chi and Secretary Cohen - sought 
to stress the importance of maintaining a regular 
dialogue on security matters.  The Chinese defense 
minister says the talks will deepen mutual 
understanding. While Mr. Cohen says open and frank 
discussions of the issues are important in both good 
times and bad.  (signed) 

NEB/HK/RW/JO 



12-Jul-2000 07:11 AM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1111 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.