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Ties with U.S. positive: China

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, JULY 23. China today acknowledged the current trend towards a "positive direction" in its relationship with the United States, but expressed "resolute opposition" to any moves to sell advanced American weapons to Taiwan.

This note of general optimism, laced with a strong warning on the arms issue, was struck by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, at his meeting with the visiting chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, Thomas Fargo, in Beijing today.

Key factor

Mr. Li noted that the Sino-American interactions were now "generally advancing in a positive direction". However, he told Adm. Fargo that the Taiwan issue, which lay at the heart of China's "core interests", had at the same time emerged as the "biggest factor" impinging on the "steady development" of the Sino-American relationship, according to a Chinese official version of the talks.

Expressing appreciation for the U.S. President, George W. Bush's assurances about his country's adherence to the "One-China policy," Mr. Li said Washington should clearly recognise the "seriousness and sensitivities of the Taiwan situation," as seen from Beijing's perspective. The U.S. should, therefore, halt its arms sales to Taiwan and stop the military exchanges that were designed to upgrade the existing level of a substantial relationship between Washington and Taipei, Adm. Fargo was told.

Adm. Fargo was quoted as saying that the U.S. saw Beijing as a `partner' in the present circumstances.

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