China seeks U.S. missile defense talks

China's head of arms control reiterates China's opposition to U.S. proposed missile defense system

BEIJING, China -- China wants to start talks with U.S. officials on Washington's plan to build an anti-missile shield and the first contacts could start this month, China's arms control chief says.

Sha Zukang, head of the Foreign Ministry's arms control department, says China wants talks to "narrow our differences" over the proposed National Missile Defense system, which China and Russia strongly oppose.

Sha says China approved of U.S. dialogue on missile defense with European allies and Russia and wants a similar dialogue.

"We are ready to have dialogue . . . we are ready to talk to them," Sha told reporters at a briefing.

The talks could start when Vice Premier Qian Qichen, China's senior leader for foreign policy, visits Washington and New York, Sha said.

President Bush is scheduled to meet with Qian in Washington on March 22, White House officials have said.

Sha said his office has forwarded "talking points" to Qian on the missile defense. Qian will be the first Chinese leader to visit since Bush's inauguration in January.

Chinese concerns

Sha reiterated Beijing's opposition to the missile defense system as a threat to China's security. The system would throw off the global strategic balance, hamper arms control efforts and trigger an arms race, he said.

He also warned against sales to Taiwan of destroyers equipped with the Aegis battle management system that could link up with a U.S. missile defense network, calling that a "very, very serious issue."

China opposes all weapons sales to the island it considers a breakaway province, but "Aegis is the worst," Sha said.

China worries a U.S. missile umbrella could nullify its small nuclear deterrent force. It also fears a localized Asian version of the system could include Taiwan, frustrating Beijing's reunification plans with the island.

The Bush administration says the United States needs the system as a safeguard against missile attack from adversaries such as Iraq and North Korea.

But Sha said Washington has exaggerated the threat. The "absolute security" of a missile defense shield would make the United States more likely to bully other countries, he warned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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