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China, US Begin Nonproliferation Talks in Beijing
Chinese and US officials began missile control talks in Beijing on Thursday, following reports accused a Chinese firm of supplying missile parts to Pakistan, the US State Department said on Tuesday.
The American inter-agency team, led by acting Assistant Secretary of State Vann Van Diepen, was to discuss a November 2000 US-China arrangement under which China promised not to help any country develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, a US Embassy spokesman told reporters.
The talks, which could continue on Friday, were arranged during a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Beijing last month.
They are the first such discussions to take place under the administration of US President George W. Bush and come after a series of allegation Chinese violations of last year's pact.
Washington Times this month reported that a Chinese firm recently sent 12 batches of missile components to Pakistan. However, boty Chinese government and the firm concerned have denied the charges, condemning the reports as "baseless".
The talks are seen as an effort to solidify the bilateral "arrangement", with the US seeking details of China's commitment to place export controls on its missile and missile technology producing companies, western diplomats in Beijing said.
"This is a nuts and bolts delegation, so they will be seeking to find out the facts and then will return to Washington to begin further policy discussions on the next steps on how to address these issue," one diplomat said.
As well as missile technology, the talks could also cover US arms sales to Taiwan.
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