The Foreign
Ministry said yesterday that for a foreign country to provide
authorities of the province of Taiwan with help in missile defense
systems would be unwelcome.
"China opposes any attempt to provide support or help to Taiwan
with missile defense systems," said Zhang Yan, director of the
ministry's Arms Control and Disarmament Department at a press
conference hosted by the State Council's Information Office.
Taiwan is an integral and indispensable part of China and no
country should include Taiwan in its missile defense system because
it concerns China's core interests, he said.
Zhang said such a system would impact on international stability
and state-to-state relations, and trigger proliferation of missile
technology.
He said the Taiwan issue is purely an internal affair and
peaceful reunification is a set policy of China.
On Thursday, a white paper was issued entitled China's
Endeavors for Arms Control, Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation.
"The government has solemnly declared that it would not be the
first to use nuclear weapons at any time and in any circumstance,"
said Zhang, citing the policy paper.
He said that China has committed unconditionally not to use or
threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon
countries or in nuclear-weapon-free zones.
Zhang said China has signed bilateral agreements with a dozen
countries on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, noting that such
cooperation aimed to serve China's increasing energy demand.
In addition, he said, China has played a constructive role in
regional nuclear issues and made active efforts towards dialogue
and reconciliation over nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula and
in Iran.
Zhang said China has set an example to other countries, and has
joined almost all international treaties and international groups
with regard to nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional
weapons.
An export control mechanism has also been established and
improved, he said.
(China Daily September 2, 2005)