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Taiwan, human rights top U.S.-China talks
Washington to consider nuclear cooperation
November 20, 1996
Web posted at: 10:05 a.m. EST (1505 GMT)From Correspondent Steve Hurst
BEIJING (CNN) -- China on Wednesday called again on the United States to stop selling arms to Taiwan, warning that the issue of the island that China considers part of its territory is the key to improved relations with Washington.
For his part, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said he told Beijing leaders they had blatantly violated international norms on human rights. U.S. officials with Christopher said China was in total disagreement with the United States on this issue -- which China has said is an internal matter.
Christopher arrived in China on Tuesday for a three-day visit. He said Wednesday's talks, seven hours in all, with President Jiang Zemin, Premier Li Peng and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen covered several topics -- with nuclear non-proliferation consuming the most time.
'Subject to disruptions'
Christopher listened impassively at a Beijing news conference as Qian issued the warning on Taiwan.
"The question of Taiwan is the core issue of Sino-American relations," Qian said. "If well-handled then the Sino-U.S. relationship can grow smoothly. If mishandled, then our bilateral relationship will be subject to disruptions."
U.S. officials had said they thought the long-standing diplomatic flap over Taiwan had cooled and seemed surprised by the Qian's remarks.
Christopher glossed over U.S. differences with China and said he was hoping to broaden the relationship as he prepared for Sunday's meeting in Manila between President Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
A senior administration official told CNN that China and the United States had reached agreement on an exchange of state-visit level summits in Beijing and Washington next year by Clinton and Jiang.
Washington broke ties with Taiwan in 1979 in order to recognize the mainland Communist government, which came to power in 1949.
However, the United States still maintains informal ties with Taiwan and has sold it millions of dollars of weapons that both Washington and Taiwan insist are for defensive purposes.
China considers the island of Taiwan -- 90 miles from the mainland -- a rebel province. The government in Taiwan considers itself the legitimate ruler of all of China, including Taiwan.
Nuclear cooperation?
Qian also chided Christopher about a previously signed nuclear cooperation pact that has not been fully implemented, implying that Washington was dragging its feet.
The United States has held up the 1985 non-proliferation agreement out of concern over Chinese exports of nuclear materials and technology to Iran and Pakistan.
However, Washington and Beijing have recently begun talks aimed at allowing the accord to proceed.
Christopher said the United States would consider some form of peaceful nuclear cooperation with China even before the accord is fully implemented. "If they (the Chinese) are making progress towards putting the 1985 agreement into effect, we are prepared to consider other things," he said.
China is eager to buy billions of dollars worth of nuclear power reactors from U.S. firms.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- U.S. won't link China's human rights to other issues - November 19, 1996
- Chinese frees dissident for medical treatment - November 6, 1996
- China: Jailing of dissident won't harm U.S. ties - October 31, 1996
- Chinese dissident hopes to appeal 11-year sentence - October 30, 1996
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