Hands off our internal affairs, China tells US

“We hereby express our firm opposition and strong displeasure,” Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang told a press conference here yesterday.

He pointed out that there are always some people in the US Congress who are “uncomfortable” with better Sino-American relations and closer friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

“Every time the relationship gets better, they will go out of their way to make trouble and erect obstacles. Yet history has proved, and will continue to prove the futility of their attempts,” the spokesman asserted.

The House of Representatives last week passed 11 Bills and resolutions aimed at Beijing, including one calling for round-the-clock broadcasting of US propaganda to China and another one urging the US Government to help Taiwan join a missile defence system against a possible attack from China.

Talbott, the first high-ranking American official to visit China following Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s summit with President Bill Clinton in Washington last month, met Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qich En and Gen Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, here yesterday.

During the meeting between Qian and Talbott, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional political and security issues. They also discussed ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the United Nations, especially in view of the US-Iraq standoff.Qian noted that Jiang’s recent successful state visit to the US was an “important sign” for the development of Sino-US relations in the future.“Jiang’s visit accomplished the goal of increasing mutual understanding, expanding common ground, promoting cooperation and joining hands for the future,” Qian said, adding China is fully prepared to engage in joint efforts to ensure healthy and stable Sino-US relations in the “new period”.

During his meeting with Talbott, Gen Chi, who is also the Defence Minister, noted that the most important result of the summit centered on the fact that the two sides set guidelines for developing a “constructive Sino-US strategic partnership oriented to the 21st century”.

Gen Chi said development of the partnership will promote the rising momentum in bilateral relations. He also said both the Chinese Government and armed forces were fully prepared to work with their American counterparts.