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China, US Set to Talk on Nonproliferation on Thursday
The United States and China will hold talks in Beijing on Thursday on halting the spread of missile technology, following reports accused a Chinese firm of supplying missile parts to Pakistan, the US State Department said on Tuesday.
Senior State Department official of the US Vann Van Diepen will head a US delegation at expert-level talks scheduled when Secretary of State Colin Powell met senior leaders in the Chinese capital last month.
At issue is compliance to a November 2000 deal under which China undertook not to export nuclear-capable missiles and components in return for Washington waiving sanctions on Chinese firms.
The talks, which begin on Thursday and could stretch into Friday, will include issues focusing on "implementation of the November 2000 arrangement," said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker on Tuesday.
US suspicions over alleged Chinese missile exports represent one of the most intractable issues in the tense Sino-US relationship.
An official told reporters last week that an "important" part of the Sino-US talks will center on a proposed "Chinese export control".
The Washington Times alleged this month that a Chinese firm had shipped missile components to Pakistan.
China and the company concerned, the China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation, denied the reports.
China argues that the United States has also failed to live up to its agreements under the November accord.
According to sources US arms sales to Taiwan will also be on the agenda of the coming talks.
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