DATE=9/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-MISSILE REACT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266079
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  China has welcomed U-S President Bill 
Clinton's decision not to deploy an anti-missile 
defense system, saying that the decision will help 
world peace.  Beijing Correspondent Leta Hong Fincher 
reports. 

TEXT: China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Zhu Bangzao, 
says President Clinton's decision on the U-S National 
Missile Defense system is what he calls "rational".  
In a statement carried by China's state-run Xinhua 
News Agency, Mr. Zhu said maintaining global strategic 
stability and security will help the cause of world 
peace and international disarmament. 

Mr. Zhu also said China hopes the U-S government will 
consult more with other countries on the matter, in 
order to make a decision that will serve the interests 
of nations all over the world.

Beijing strongly opposes the proposed missile shield, 
fearing that it would set off a global arms race and 
undermine China's own limited nuclear deterrent.  
Beijing is especially concerned about the related 
Theatre Missile Defense system for Asia, or TMD, which 
Washington says would protect U-S troops from a 
possible North Korean missile threat.  

China fears the TMD would be extended to defend 
Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.  
China reserves the right to use military force to 
recover Taiwan if it declares independence or drags 
its feet on reunification.(Signed)
 
NEB/LHF/PFH 



02-Sep-2000 08:15 AM EDT (02-Sep-2000 1215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.