China, US End Non-proliferation Talks with Both Silent on OutcomeChina and the United States ended missile technology non-proliferation talks in Beijing on Thursday with no more talks scheduled on Friday, a US official said, adding the talks were "candid".However, "we have not yet been fully satisfied in our discussions about that", said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker. "The talks have concluded," said John Berry, US Embassy spokesman, refusing to comment on the atmosphere of the discussions, US officials had originally said that Friday would be available to continue the talks if necessary -- but Philip Reeker, the deputy spokesman, said no new meetings were planned. ``We need to have more discussions on the subject,'' Reeker said in reporting on talks held in Beijing. ``It will continue to be an important part of our bilateral dialogue with China,'' he said. China's Foreign Ministry also refused to elaborate on the discussion. However, in a statement it issued earlier on Thursday, it urged the US to "do away with the man-made obstacles" so that the mutually beneficial co-operation between China and the United States can return to normal as soon as possible. US has accused Chinese entities of supplying missile technology to Pakistan, which was labelled as groundless and rumors by the Chinese government. The American delegation is led by acting Assistant Secretary of State Vann Van Diepen. The talks were arranged during a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Beijing last month. It is the first such discussion to take place under the administration of US President George W. Bush. The talks are seen as an effort to solidify a bilateral "arrangement" reached in November 2000, with the US seeking details of China's commitment to place export controls on its missile and missile technology producing companies. As well as missile technology, the talks could also cover US arms sales to Taiwan. The US team is expected to return to Washington to assess how the issue can be moved forward before Bush's visit. Source: China Daily |
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