CHINA: China says a U.S. Congress report about security issues on the mainland is "blind" and "unjustified"

China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (October 31) condemned an annual U.S. Congress report on security issues on the mainland - saying it was harmful to ties between the two countries. "The United States Congress should take actions that are beneficial to Sino-U.S. relations. They should take an objective and justified approach to the Sino-U.S. relationship, and contribute to the development of a constructive relationship. They should not make blind and unjustified reviews of this relationship. We have not seen the official published report, but after its publication we will have a formal reaction to it," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao (pron: lee-oh djee-ehn chah-ow) told a regular news briefing. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission's Monday (October 30) report accused China of failing to be responsible by aiding Iran's nuclear, missile and chemical programs and refusing to effectively use its leverage to bring North Korea back into nuclear weapons negotiations. The commission has been controversial because of concerns its members tend to be overly critical of China. China took issue with the U.S.'s top diplomat in Taiwan who has recently urged parliament to pass the budget for the multibillion-dollar weapons package by the end of the year to help counter China's growing military buildup. "The United States' export of weapons to Taiwan has violated the formal and serious commitments made by the U.S. government in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 joint communique. It has jeopardised China's state security, and China's efforts to reunify the country. The Chinese people have always opposed this, and the Chinese government opposes the incorrect statements made by a U.S. diplomat based in Taiwan. China hopes the U.S. will stick to the commitment it has made to stick to the "one China" policy, respect the three joint communiques and oppose Taiwan's independence. The U.S. should stop selling weapons to Taiwan, and should stop developing military ties with Taiwan. The U.S. should not send the wrong signal to Taiwan's independence group, but should take practical actions to maintain peace and stability across the Strait as well as within the Sino-U.S. relationship," said Liu. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to defend the island. The three joint communiques spell out the U.S.'s commitment to recognise the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and declare Washington's intent to taper off arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing has no plans to sever aid and trade to North Korea, denying that an apparent drop in China's oil exports to the isolated fortress state showed a shift in policy. "China has a normal economic and trade relationship with North Korea. For this relationship, what we focus on is the development of the country and the living standards of the people there. We will help them overcome the energy and food difficulties they meet, and I didn't hear about any plans to change this policy," said Liu. North Korea relies on China for up to 90 percent of its oil and perhaps a third of its food, according to experts' estimates. Many of them believe Beijing may use its chokehold on North Korea's oil needs to press Pyongyang back to nuclear disarmament talks it has boycotted since last November. China urged relevant parties to refrain from doing anything to exacerbate friction with Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme. "Recently there have been some changes on the Iran nuclear issue, and we have taken note of them. On the current situation, every party should avoid taking any action which will lead to the worsening of the situation. China will make continuous efforts in consulting with various parties in the U.N. Security Council on this issue," said Liu. Russia, the United States, Britain, France, China and Germany held their first meeting on Thursday (October 26) afternoon on a draft Security Council resolution, which would ban Iranian trade in nuclear materials and ballistic missiles. The resolution is in response to U.N. demands that Tehran suspend by Aug. 31 its uranium-enrichment activities, which the West believes are a cover for bomb-making. Iran says its program is aimed solely at energy production. China said it was not embarrassed to be hosting top officials from African nations accused in the West of human rights violations for a summit in Beijing. "This summit will be a milestone in Sino-African relations, and it will comprehensively promote the cooperation between China and Africa. China and Africa will strengthen cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, culture, education and public health. And we will strengthen our coordnation and cooperation in international affairs. So this will not only benefit China but also benefit Africa, and it will further benefit the peace, development and prosperity of the world. We don't think it is embarrassing to host this summit," said Liu. China is preparing to host more than 40 African heads of state for a summit billed as a warm-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Some 1,700 delegates and hundreds of journalists are expected for the Nov. 1-6 China-Africa forum, designed to boost trade and economic links between the Asian superpower and the underdeveloped but resource-rich continent.

ITN Source | October 31, 2006

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