Extracts.
Thursday, September 14th 2000
China - Argentina.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Wednesday that China
cherishes its friendly cooperation with Argentina.
In talks with visiting Argentine President Fernando de la Rua, Jiang said
that he is delighted to meet De la Rua again in Beijing after their
previous meeting at the UN millennium summit not long ago.
De la Rua said that China is the first country apart from America to which
he has paid a visit since becoming president of Argentina.
He said that Argentina and China enjoy a traditional friendship, adding
that he himself has a friendly sentiment towards China.
Jiang said that bilateral cooperation has been expanding since the two
countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972.
He pointed out that the two sides have maintained frequent contact and have
deepened mutual understanding and trust especially in the past decade. He
added that the trade between the two countries has also risen and bilateral
economic cooperation has been fruitful.
On international issues, the two countries have supported each other and
have cooperated well, Jiang noted.
"We are satisfied with all this," Jiang said.
The Chinese President noted that Argentina is a big country in Latin
America and plays an increasingly important role in international affairs.
China and Argentina, both developing countries in Asia and Latin America
respectively, have common interests and similar stances on many major
international issues, according to Jiang.
He said that he hopes the two countries will proceed from a strategic
height and join hands for the establishment of a comprehensive
Sino-Argentine cooperative partnership towards the 21st century.
On economic and trade cooperation, Jiang said that bilateral trade has been
progressing well in recent years. He added that Argentina is one of China's
major trade partners in Latin America.
The two economies complement each other, Jiang said, adding that potential
trade between the two countries is great.
Jiang said that he hopes business people in both countries will increase
contact and exchange to realize the potential in bilateral trade. China
welcomes Argentine investment, especially Argentine entrepreneurs'
participation in the development of China's western areas, Jiang said.
China has carried out positive cooperation with Argentina in the areas of
fishery, motorcycles and home electrical appliances, Jiang noted, adding
that China expects to expand cooperation in these areas.
De la Rua said that he agrees with Jiang on his comments on bilateral
relations and economic cooperation.
He noted that soon after he became the Argentine president, he proposed to
develop a more friendly relationship with China, adding that his current
visit is the first step towards that goal.
Both Argentina and China are engaged in economic development and improving
the living standards of their peoples, the Argentine president said.
There are many opportunities in bilateral trade, he said, adding that he
hopes more Argentine business people will come to China and more Chinese
enterprises will invest in Argentina to establish joint ventures in his
country. De la Rua said that Argentina and China have many things in common
in international affairs and have supported each other.
He pointed out that both countries are engaged in maintaining peace in the
world and observe the principle of respecting the sovereignty of other
countries and not interferring in the internal affairs of other countries.
He said that he agrees with what Jiang said at the UN millennium summit.
He added that the two countries should further the mutual trust and
cooperation.
The Argentine president noted that he is confident bilateral ties will
progress even further, only when the two sides combine efforts with a
practical attitude.
De la Rua reiterated that the Argentine government sticks to the
"one-China" policy and supports China's full reunification.
Jiang reiterated that the Chinese government has always supported the
Argentine people's claim to the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands, and
that he hopes Argentina and Britain settle the dispute as soon as possible
through peaceful talks.
Jiang said that China has always attached importance to strengthening
friendly cooperation with the nations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
He expressed the hope that the mutually-beneficial cooperation between
China and the countries in those regions will be furthered.
China is also willing to increase contacts with the South American Common
Market and expand its cooperation with the market.
De la Rua said that the South American Common Market is interested in
developing relations with China, adding that Argentina is willing to
continue efforts pushing forward the relations between China and the
Market.
De la Rua invited Jiang to visit his country next year. Jiang thanked him
for his invitation and accepted it with pleasure.
After the talks, the two sides signed an agreement on cultural exchanges
and geographic cooperation. The two presidents were present at the signing
ceremony.
Prior to the talks, Jiang held a welcome ceremony for De la Rua.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 14, 2000, updated at 09:36(GMT+8)
US Senate Rejects Thompson Amendment
The US Senate on Wednesday rejected an amendment attaching weapons
proliferation sanctions to a bill normalizing trade with China, clearing
the way for final passage of the bill to grant permanent normal trade
relations (PNTR) status to China.
The Senate voted 65-32 to reject the amendment, proposed by Republican
Senator Fred Thompson and Democratic Senator Robert Torricelli.
The amendment demanded the US government to impose sanctions on foreign
companies and nations that are involved in weapons proliferation.
On Wednesday, the Senate also rejected three other amendments trying to
link PNTR bill with prison labor, human rights and other issues.
The Thompson amendment, considered to be the major and final hurdle to the
passage of the PNTR bill in the Senate, met strong opposition from most
Senators, the Clinton administration and the Business community eager to do
business with China.
Lawmakers said the amendment's defeat puts the PNTR bill on fast-track to
final approval later this week or early next week.
"This clears the deck. It was the last hurdle," said Democratic Senator Max
Baucus of Montana.
"It would hurt America more than it would punish China," said Republican
Senator Phil Gramm of Texas.
Democratic Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware described the Thompson
amendment as a "serious foreign policy mistake."
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Friday September 15th 2000
China Opposes Using Non-Proliferation Issue to
Interfere in Its Internal Affairs
The Chinese government strongly opposes the attempt
by a handful of US congressmen to use the
non-proliferation issue to interfere in China's
internal affairs and thereby damage Sino-US
relations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi made the
remarks Thursday at a regular press conference.
He said that China has opposed the proliferation of
weapons of massive destruction, and has strictly and
effectively controlled related weapons according to
its military trade policy and the policy on the
prevention of proliferation, and other related
international commitments.
Sun noted that a handful of US congressmen ignored
the efforts of the Chinese government in and its
contributions to the international non-proliferation
issue and attempted to pass an amendment on China's
non-proliferation to damage the improvement and
development of Sino-US relations. Such actions are
doomed to failure, Sun said.
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