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US Urged to Axe Anti-missile Plans
China Tuesday reiterated serious concerns over US plans to deploy a National Missile Defence (NMD) system, urging the incoming administration to scrap the relevant tests.
Plans to deploy Theatre Missile Defence and NMD are not conducive to world disarmament and arms control efforts and will have a negative impact on the 21st century global and regional strategic balance, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao.
"The US already has the largest and most sophisticated nuclear and conventional arsenals in the world," said Zhu. Zhu further noted that a UN resolution sponsored by China and Russia on preserving and observing the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty last year received overwhelming support.
The US plans violate the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM), which aims to maintain the global strategic balance and stability and continue the nuclear disarmament process, Zhu said.
"We hope the relevant country will listen to the just call of the international community, strictly abide by the ABM treaty and give up at an early date a plan that will undermine the global strategic balance," he said.
Aiming his remarks at US President-elect George W. Bush, Zhu called for continued efforts from the new administration to maintain the continued development of Sino-US relations.
"As the new century dawns, China and US are faced with new opportunities and challenges and we believe and hope that during the tenure of President Bush, China and US relations will undergo new developments," Zhu said.
Turning to the official goodwill visit to India by Chairman Li Peng of the National People's Congress over the past week, Zhu said Li met with Indian leaders and people of all walks of life. He had an in-depth exchange of views with them on how to push forward the Sino-Indian friendly co-operation and reached a lot of consensus, Zhu said.
The visit enhanced understanding, developed friendship and strengthened co-operation. It also promoted co-operation between the two countries.
Source: China Daily
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