Home>News Center
       
 

China slams US remarks on military
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-19 09:10

China has accused the United States of sending a false signal to Taiwan by disclosing a CIA assessment indicating the military balance across the Taiwan Straits is shifting in Beijing's favor.

The comments by China's Foreign Ministry followed statements by CIA Director Porter Goss earlier this week that Beijing's military modernization was "tilting the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait."

"Improved Chinese capabilities threaten U.S. forces in the region," Goss said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan described Goss's comments, made in the CIA's annual assessment of worldwide threats presented Wednesday, as an "irresponsible act."

"The U.S. warning has severely violated the conventions of international relations," Kong said. "The United States has severely interfered with Chinese internal affairs and sent a false signal to the advocates of Taiwan independence."

U.S. relations with Beijing have been relatively good in recent months. The two sides have boosted military exchanges and have been cooperating in efforts to persuade North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program.

On Friday, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that Japan's foreign minister and defense chief reportedly flew to Washington to discuss a major revision to the U.S.-Japan security alliance that would, for the first time, identify tensions between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan as a flashpoint in Asia.

Japan traditionally has sought to avoid involvement in the tensions. Tokyo's shift would be a strong demonstration of solidarity with the U.S. position and would signal a more assertive Japanese stance in the region.



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

Beijing opposes US-Japan statement on Taiwan

 

   
 

Eight suicide bombings in Baghdad kill 55

 

   
 

Building harmonious society CPC's top task

 

   
 

Experts cry for checking before marriage

 

   
 

Industrial growth rate drops slightly

 

   
 

Bush harbors no bitterness toward Chirac

 

   
  Famous winery ceded to private, foreign investors
   
  Freighter sinks, 7 missing in Beibu Gulf
   
  Beijing Olympic Village project gets approval
   
  Tourists trapped by snow rescued in Yunnan
   
  Building harmonious society CPC's top task
   
  Beijing opposes US-Japan statement on Taiwan
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement