China denies reneging on Powell TV deal

BEIJING, China -- Beijing has denied U.S. accusations that Chinese television reneged on a deal to air a recent interview with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in full.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement Thursday said state-run China Central Television (CCTV) told U.S. officials it would edit the interview which was broadcast on Sunday shortly before Powell left after a 24-hour visit to China.

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday protested the decision to cut the interview, arguing that the action was "counterproductive" and against an agreement made with the broadcaster.

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing also launched an official protest in response to the deleting of portions of the taped interview dealing with human rights and Taiwan.

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But China dismissed the claims.

"According to our understanding, when CCTV was negotiating the relevant interview with the U.S. side, it said it would make certain cuts according to the program's format and time constraints," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

"The station's broadcasting of the interview with U.S. Secretary of State Powell is in keeping with the usual practice of international media."

The interview leaves a sore spot on what was considered a successful visit by Powell to China, after a period of tense U.S.-China relations.

Decision from the top

Acting State Department spokesman Charles Hunter added that the United States' view is that the decision was made by the leadership in Beijing.

"It's a state television station so we believe that they speak with the full faith and credit of the Chinese government," he said.

"We know that the Chinese authorities' views on Taiwan and human rights differ from ours," Hunter said. "But we believe that the Chinese people are mature and sophisticated enough to hear both their own government's views and those of others who may disagree.

"We continue to convey to the Chinese government and the Chinese people our clear and unedited views on all issues that arise in U.S.-Chinese relations."

In the deleted section of the interview, which amounted to approximately one-fifth of its total, Powell stood by U.S. criticism of China's human rights record -- although he did acknowledge some improvement over the last 20 years.

"There are areas where we believe ... you should continue to move forward with respect to the treatment of people with different religious beliefs, or different ways of practicing their faith," Powell said, according to a full transcript of the interview provided by the State Department.

"As your friend ... we think it is important for us to point out where improvements are appropriate -- rule of law, having standards with respect to international law and trying to meet those standards that are expected in the international community with respect to freedom of ... religion and various human rights," he said.

Human rights situation

Powell compared China's human rights situation to the United States' battle against slavery, which the nation was able to overcome.

"As a black man 40 years ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to dream about becoming secretary of state. But here I am," he said. "So we have changed."

The edited interview, which, according to Hunter, aired Saturday while Powell was still in the country, failed to include a discussion of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which governs the U.S. supply of defensive weapons to Taiwan.

This year the Bush administration approved an enhanced arms package for sale to Taiwan, infuriating the Chinese government.

When asked if the U.S. position on Taiwan has changed, Powell cited the Taiwan's Relation Act and the three communiqués that subsequently followed the legislation.

Reuters contributed to this report.