China again opposes USA arms sales to Taiwan

[Lankan Ranger]

China again opposes USA arms sales to Taiwan

Opposing United States arms sales to Taiwan has always been China's policy, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie told reporters in Beijing Monday.

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, an inalienable part of China, "have jeopardized China's core interests," Liang said when responding to a question concerning possible harm to bilateral military relations future U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan would cause.

Liang made the remarks at a joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

"We do not want to see such things happening again. We do not want U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan to further damage the relationship between China and the United States and the two nations' armed forces," Liang added.

In Jan. 2010, the Pentagon decided to sell approximately 6.4 billion U.S. dollar of arms to Taiwan. That caused the suspension of some bilateral military exchange programs and the postponing of Gates's planned China trip.

China opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan: Chinese defense chief

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[aimarraul]

Sino-U.S Joint Communiqué 　　(August 17,1982) 　　
1. In the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on January 1, 1979, issued by the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People's Republic of China, the United States of America recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and it acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. Within that context, the two sides agreed that the people of the United States would continue to maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. On this basis, relations between the United States and China were normalized. 　　
2. The question of United States arms sales to Taiwan was not settled in the course of negotiations between the two countries on establishing diplomatic relations. The two sides held differing positions, and the Chinese side stated that it would raise the issue again following normalization. Recognizing that this issue would seriously hamper the development of United States-China relations, they have held further discussions on it, during and since the meetings between President Ronald Reagan and Premier Zhao Ziyang and between Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Huang Hua in October 1981. 　　

3. Respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference each other's internal affairs constitute the fundamental principles guiding United States-China relations. These principles were confirmed in the Shanghai Communiqué of February 28, 1972 and reaffirmed in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations which came into effect on January 1, 1973. Both sides emphatically state that these principles continue to govern all aspects of their relations. 　　

4. The Chinese government reiterates that the question of Taiwan is China's internal affair. The Message to the Compatriots in Taiwan issued by China on January 1, 1979, promulgated a fundamental policy of striving for Peaceful reunification of the Motherland. The Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981 represented a Further major effort under this fundamental policy to strive for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan question. 　　

5. The United States Government attaches great importance to its relations with China, and reiterates that it has no intention of infringing on Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, or interfering in China's internal affairs, or pursuing a policy of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." The United States Government understands and appreciates the Chinese policy of striving for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question as indicated in China's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan issued on January 1, 1979 and the Nine-Point Proposal put forward by China on September 30, 1981. The new situation which has emerged with regard to the Taiwan question also provides favorable conditions for the settlement of United States-China differences over the question of United States arms sales to Taiwan. 　

6. Having in mind the foregoing statements of both sides, the United States Government states that it does not seek to carry out a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan, that its arms sales to Taiwan will not exceed, either in qualitative or in quantitative terms, the level of those supplied in recent years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and that it intends to reduce gradually its sales of arms to Taiwan, leading over a period of time to a final resolution. In so stating, the United States acknowledges China's consistent position regarding the thorough settlement of this issue. 　　

7. In order to bring about, over a period of time, a final settlement of the question of United States arms sales to Taiwan, which is an issue rooted in history, the two governments will make every effort to adopt measures and create conditions conducive to the thorough settlement of this issue. 　　

8. The development of United States-China relations is not only in the interest of the two peoples but also conducive to peace and stability in the world. The two sides are determined, on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, to strengthen their- ties to the economic, cultural, educational, scientific, technological and other fields and make strong. joint efforts for the continued development of relations between the governments and peoples of the United States and China. 　　

9. In order to bring about the healthy development of United States China relations, maintain world peace and oppose aggression and expansion, the two governments reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai 　　Communiqué and the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. The two sides will maintain contact and hold appropriate consultations on bilateral and international issues of common interest.

 

[aimarraul]

China, U.S. resume high-level military exchanges, agree to avoid misunderstanding
( Source: Xinhua ) 2011-January-11 06:27
　　BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States agreed to avoid misunderstanding in developing military ties amid U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' visit to Beijing to restore impaired high-level military exchanges.

　　In their official talks on Monday, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Gates reached consensus on joint efforts to expand common interests, deepen dialogue and exchanges, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation to ensure military ties back on the sound track.

　　They pledged to keep open the channel for exchange mechanism like defense and maritime security consultations between the two militaries.

　　"There are many areas where we have mutual interests and can work together, those disagreements are best dealt with through dialogue and discussions with one another," said Gates.

　　His visit, which came ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to United States later this month, was one of the scheduled high-level contacts that were postponed after the Pentagon decided to sell a nearly 6.4-billion-U.S.-dollar arms package to Taiwan in January of 2010.

　　While reaching agreements on developing resumed military exchanges, the Chinese defense chief warned that U.S. arms sale to Taiwan "jeopardizes China's core interests."

　　"We do not want to see such things happen again. We do not want U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan to further damage the relationship between China and the United States and the two nations' armed forces," Liang told a press briefing.

　　On a question on the development of China's military power, Liang rejected claims that China's military development is a threat, saying its weapons still lag far behind developed countries.

　　"China's military hardware development is to meet its sovereignty and security requirements and targets no other countries and poses no threat to others," said Liang.

　　Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, while meeting with Gates later on Monday, stressed "reliable political basis" for Sino-U.S. military ties, which have gone through ups and downs in the past years.

　　Xi, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, urged the two militaries to take measures to safeguard the "stable and reliable" political foundation, that is, mutual respect for sovereignty, security and development interests.

　　"China-U.S. military relationship, as an important part of bilateral ties, is a sensitive field with more complicated factors," said Xi, hoping military-to-military relations could move forward in a healthy and stable manner.

　　Another Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou made a three-point proposal on developing China-U.S. military ties, in his meeting with Gates.

　　Xu called on to respect and accommodate each other's core interest and major concern, to cultivate and increase strategic trust between the two armed forces, and to consolidate and expand common interests for both sides.

　　Calling U.S.-China relations the "most important" bilateral ties in the world, Gates told Xu that his visit achieved "important progress" in building stable military ties between both countries.

　　Gates said his country was expecting President Hu's state visit. Hu is due to meet with Gates on Tuesday.

　　"China-U.S. military exchanges plays an irreplaceable role in solving deeper differences between the two countries," said Zhu Feng, an researcher on China-U.S. relations with Peking University.

　　He said the military contacts would greatly help to beef up strategic trust between China and the United States, and also influence public opinion.

　　Gates will visit the command of the Second Artillery Force of the PLA on Wednesday. This is his second China trip since he took office in December 2006.