US-Japan Missile Defense Cooperation Worries China

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 20, 2002

US-Japan Missile Defense Cooperation Worries China

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China is worried about possible negative impact from the strengthening cooperation on missile defense between the United States and Japan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing Thursday.

Liu made the remark at a press conference when asked to comment on a joint announcement of the US and Japanese governments that the two countries would strengthen cooperation on missile defense research.

Liu said relevant countries' missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region should not harm the security interests of other countries.

China, like many other countries in the region, is worried about the possible negative impact upon regional stability and security from the strengthening cooperation between the United States and Japan on missile defense. China hopes the countries involved act cautiously, he said.

Asked to comment on US President George W. Bush's announcement on Tuesday of deploying a missile defense system in 2004, Liu said missile defense plans of the US should not affect global strategic stability nor harm international and regional security.

China always holds the view that only good cooperation in the international community can effectively address the threat from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on the security in various countries.

The sixth round of Sino-Russian consultations between the two countries' general staffs has produced consensus on a wide range of issues, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

In response to a question, spokesman Liu Jianchao said the two sides exchanged views and reached consensus on regional and international security, major international issues, counter-terrorism, relations between the two countries' armed forces and other issues of common interest.

Liu said Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Yury Baluyevsky, first deputy chief of General Staff of Russian Army, jointly presided over the consultations from Dec. 16 to 17.

Chi Haotian, Chinese Defense Minister, state councilor and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China, and Liang Guanglie, chief of General Staff of the PLA and a member of the Central Military Commission, met with Baluyevsky on separate occasions, Liu said.

Liu said the two sides agreed that as an important part of the two countries' strategic cooperative partnership, the consultation mechanism between the two general staffs is working well. It playsa positive role in improving the mutual understanding and enhancing mutual support on important international and regional issues, and in strengthening friendly cooperation between the two countries' armed forces as well as the two countries' strategic cooperative partnership, he said.

Liu said the two sides agreed to hold the seventh round of consultations in Moscow next year.

The presidential election Thursday in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is a domestic issue of the ROK, and China believes China-ROK relations are sure to further develop no matter who is elected, Liu said.

The accuracy and authenticity of the Iraqi report on weapons of massive destruction should be determined by the United Nations' inspection team and finally decided by the UN Security Council.

Liu noted that the UN inspectors are now carrying out their duties in Iraq, and Iraq has handed over to the United Nations a relevant report which is being examined by the countries concerned.

China holds the view that the weapons inspection should be carried out to clarify relevant questions, Liu said, adding the Iraqi issue should be politically settled within the UN security framework.

China is ready to maintain close consultation and cooperation with other countries concerned to push the Iraqi issue for a good direction, Liu said.

When asked whether China had sent delegates to a meeting held in London by Iraqi opposition parties, Liu said a country's domestic matters should be determined by its own people and no Chinese delegates had attended that meeting

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