China slams US Congress panel, arms sales to Taiwan

BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) China today rebuffed a US Congressional panel that criticised its foreign policies, and warned Washington against selling arms to Taiwan, exposing tensions recently tempered by cooperation between the two powers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said he had read only media reports of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's annual overview that appeared yesterday.

''The United States Congress should do more meaningful things for China-US relations and view China and bilateral relations objectively and fairly,'' he told a regular news briefing in Beijing, warning against ''rash and unfair'' opinions.

The Commission, which tends to reflect concerns from US conservative political circles about China's rise, accused Beijing of failing ''to meet the threshold test of international responsibility'' by aiding Iran's nuclear and weapons programmes and refusing to use its leverage to push North Korea back into nuclear weapons negotiations.

It also said Congress should raise pressure on the Bush administration to challenge Chinese trade and currency practices at the World Trade Organisation, adding that the rapid growth of China's automotive sector endangered many US jobs.

The renewed jousting between Washington and Beijing comes at a time when the two sides have worked together to oppose North Korea's nuclear weapons plans. But some in Washington -- including the Congressional panel -- say China should use its economic and energy clout to cajole Pyongyang to abandon nuclear weapons.

The Chinese spokesman retorted with a warning for Washington, condemning proposed US weapons sales to Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing fears will move towards full independence and frustrate Chinese plans for reunification.

Last Thursday, the top US government representative in Taiwan, Stephen Young, urged the island to approve a budget to buy new weapons, including US arms, to counter China's growing military build-up.

In April 2001 US President George W Bush approved Taiwan's request for submarines, anti-submarine warfare aircraft, four destroyers and Patriot anti-missile systems. But most of the deals have been blocked in Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature.

Liu said the proposed sales contravened Washington's promises to Beijing.

''US sales of arms to Taiwan violate the solemn, grave promises made by the US government,'' he said. ''They threaten China's national security and its great endeavour of peaceful reunification.'' China had formally protested over Young's comments, Liu added, warning Washington ''not to send any wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces.'' REUTERS AKJ VV1646