China unchanged over missile defense

Reductions in the U.S. nuclear missile arsenal are part of the NMD plans

In this story: Four parts Little common ground Taiwan central to China's concern RELATED STORIES, SITES

By CNN's Andrew Demaria

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- China says nothing will change its mind on Washington's proposed missile defense shield even as U.S. envoy James Kelly is involved in talks with Chinese foreign ministry officials in Beijing Tuesday on the matter.

Beijing has repeatedly stated its objections to U.S. plans for a National Missile Defense (NMD) system, saying it would destabilize security in Asia, and lead to an arms race, but Kelly says he hopes to ease China's concerns during his visit.

Kelly, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, arrived in China as part of an extensive global charm offensive to drum up international support for its defense proposal.

AUDIO CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon says it's likely to be a hard sell for Kelly. 369KB/35secs AIFF or WAV sound    VIDEO CNN's Patricia Kelly has more on the U. S. missile defense system (May 9) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    RESOURCES Flash animation: Missile Defense (requires Macromedia Shockwave) Q&A: National Missile Defense    MESSAGE BOARD Missile defense system

He is expected to try to persuade Chinese government officials not to oppose U.S. plans to build the defense system.

"I've come today to conduct a dialogue with Chinese officials on security and stability that reflects today's world," he told reporters prior to the talks.

"My trip is part of President Bush's initiative to consult with our friends and allies and other interested states."

Talks with Chinese officials are expected to last only one day, before Kelly flies to Vietnam to continue briefing other nations on the defense proposal.

Four parts

The United States has said it needs the missile defense system to protect itself from "rogue" nations such as North Korea.

Kelly says there are four major parts to the defense proposal, which include non-proliferation, counter proliferation, missile defense and unilateral reductions in the United State's strategic forces.

Kelly said earlier that news reports from China "suggest that they really don't understand" the NMD plan.

He said he hopes he can begin a constructive dialogue with Chinese authorities not only on the proposal but also on curbing weapons of mass destruction.

"China clearly shares with us an interest in promoting peace and stability in east Asia and the world and curbing the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction is a key element in the maintenance of peace and security," said Kelly, who then got into the rear seat of a black sedan and headed off toward the Foreign Ministry

Although Kelly said he expects to speak with China's vice foreign minister Li Zhaoxing on the issue, much of his intended diplomatic audience is expected to be in Shanghai attending functions with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Officials would not say with whom he was scheduled to meet.

Kelly's task on selling Beijing the idea has been made more difficult by the straining of U.S. China relations over the past months since the April 1 fatal collision of a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet.

The collision killed the Chinese pilot and led to an 11-day detention of the U.S. crew and a flurry of diplomatic activity.

Although Kelly says it is "unfortunate" the incident took place, he said he is not visiting China to discuss the collision, rather to focus on the NMD plan.

Little common ground

U.S-China analysts say it is unlikely that Beijing and Washington will gain any common ground in discussions on the plan and instead see the visit as healthy in strengthening ties between the two nations.

Kelly in Beijing

"I think in the future, both countries on this issue have a long way to go. I think it is very difficult for them to get any consensus at this time," Professor Wu Guoguang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong told CNN.

"The importance of this trip is Washington resuming dialogue with Beijing and it shows that Beijing is also keen to resume high ranking dialogue with Washington," he said.

Wu also added that China would be delighted with Washington consulting Beijing to seek international support and approval for the anti-missile plan.

China is among several nations, including Russia, that have voiced their disapproval to the NMD proposal.

Taiwan central to China's concern

China argues the system is offensive rather than defensive because it eliminates any inter-continental threat China can pose the U.S.

Also central to China's concerns is the proposal to include Taiwan in the defense shield. Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province.

Analysts say China's capability of retaliating against the United States if the U.S. is involved in any conflict involving Taiwan will be destroyed, leaving the U.S. free to intervene in any China-Taiwan confrontations.

"I expect China's direct goal will be to exclude Taiwan from the plan," said Wu. "If they can do that, it would be valued as a big success but I personally don't think they will be able to do that."

"I think that Washington doesn't care what type of response it gets from Beijing about NMD as China has no powerful means against it."

Wu said it was likely that China will delay any official response to the missile defense, preferring to wait for responses from Europe and other Asian countries.

China will also look to the response of Russia and discussions with Putin and Chinese officials are expected to touch on the matter.

The next stop on Kelly's agenda is Vietnam where he is expected to arrive on Wednesday.

CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon contributed to this report.

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U.S. National Missile Defense
U.S. Defense department
Chinese government

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