U.S. Department of State
96/04/19 Remarks with Chinese Vice Premier, The Hague
Office of the Spokesman


                        U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
                         Office of the Spokesman 
 
 
For Immediate Release                                April 21, 1996



                               REMARKS BY
                SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER
                                  AND
                   CHINESE VICE PREMIER QIAN QICHEN

                       The Hague, Netherlands
                            April 19, 1996


VICE PREMIER QIAN QICHEN:   I am very delighted to take this opportunity 
to meet with Secretary Christopher in The Hague.  This is our first 
meeting this year. I am looking forward to having an exchange of views 
with Mr. Secretary on bilateral relations and issues of common interest. 
 
We have all along maintained that to maintain a healthy and a stable 
relationship between China and the United States serves the fundamental 
interests of the two countries and the two peoples.  And also 
contributes to peace and prosperity in  Asia Pacific and the world at 
large.   
 
Some time ago, Sino-U.S. relations encountered some difficulties, which 
were something that we did not wish to see.  I hope to have candid, 
serious, and the pragmatic talks with Mr. Secretary.  The only correct 
approach to overcoming these difficulties is the strict observance of 
the principles established in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, 
especially the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, the  
territorial integrity and the non-interference in each other's internal 
affairs.   
 
Now Sino-U.S. relations are at a crucial juncture which call for an 
appropriate settlement of the problems existing in our bilateral 
relations, especially the question of Taiwan.  We are ready to work 
together with the U.S. side to increase dialogue, enhance trust, reduce 
troubles, develop cooperation, and have no confrontation. 
 
I also believe that, in conducting dialogues between China and the 
United States, the two sides should have exchange of views from long 
term and a strategic perspective in areas where the two sides share 
common interests.   China and the United States share extensive 
strategic interests on many issues facing today's world.  It is entirely 
possible for the two countries to find some common points.   
 
As for the differences over some specific matters, including those 
differences arising from the different situations that the two sides are 
in, they should not hinder the overall interest of developing Sino-U.S. 
relations. We should agree to disagree so as to narrow our differences 
and expand our common ground.  I expect to have progress with the 
meeting with Mr. Secretary.  Thank you. 
 
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER:  Good afternoon.  It is a distinct pleasure to 
meet Foreign Minister Qian Qichen again, especially in this beautiful 
setting of daffodils, crocuses and the spring flowers that are coming 
out.  First let me congratulate the Minister on an excellent statement.  
I listened to it with care and it reflexes, virtually in every respect, 
my attitude towards today's meeting. 
   
As the Minister said, this is our first meeting in 1996, but I'm told 
this is the sixth time we will have met in the last twelve months and 
the thirteenth time that we have met in my tenure as Secretary of State.  
The frequency and regularity of our meetings is some good indication of 
the commitment that both countries have to maintain positive ties.  The 
U.S. seeks a constructive relationship with a strong, stable, open and 
prosperous China; indeed one of the most important of our bilateral 
relationships. 
 
As the Minister said there are many areas in which we already cooperate 
reflecting the fundamental interests we share in the Asia-Pacific region 
and all around the globe.  For example, we have a common commitment to a 
non-nuclear Korean Peninsula, to the maintenance of the armistice 
agreement there, and the resumption of dialogue between the North and 
South on the Korean peninsula.  I look forward to discussing today, the 
peace initiative launched only a few days ago by President Kim of South 
Korea and President Clinton, an initiative that foresees a constructive 
Chinese role. 
 
Referring to other matters of regional cooperation in which the American 
and Chinese people already benefit from, China and America want to 
further develop regional cooperation in many security and economic areas 
as we approach a new century.  The American and Chinese people already 
benefit from our cooperation in fighting transnational threats such as 
drug trafficking, international crime and alien smuggling.  Protection 
of the environment is in the interests of both countries, and I am 
pleased that a Chinese delegation will visit Washington later this 
month, to begin a dialogue on the environment, energy, and sustainable 
development. 
 
There are also a number of important bilateral issues on which the Vice 
Premier and I will exchange views.  The United States welcomes the 
reduction of tension in the Taiwan Strait since late March and urges 
resumption of the dialogue between Beijing and Taipei.  The United 
States remains committed to a "one China" policy and believes that the 
Taiwan question is a matter for the parties on both sides of the Taiwan 
Strait to address peacefully. 
 
QUESTION:  Mr. Minister, The Test Ban Talks in Geneva are moving very 
slowly, some people say hardly moving at all, the number of brackets is 
rising. Does China support a ban on all nuclear weapons tests, and while 
I have the microphone, does China support the new proposal for Korean 
talks? 
 
VICE PREMIER QIAN QICHEN:  I do not agree that The CTBT negotiations 
have come to a standstill.  As a matter of fact, it is making progress 
constantly.  It is my hope that the new round of negotiations, to be 
started in May, would further accelerate and make new progress.  The 
Chinese side is ready to work for that. With regard to the proposal, 
jointly initiated by President Kim Young Sam and President Clinton, 
regarding the start of the negotiation for a Korean peace mechanism -- 
we think it reasonable, and we can also understand, but we also believe 
that such kind of proposals can only be realized when all parties, 
especially those parties directly concerned, can reach agreement. 
 
QUESTION:  I would like to ask Secretary Christopher, recently Congress 
has released a resolution that is against China, and I would like to 
know Mr. Christopher, what is your expectation for the result of this 
resolution? 
 
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER:  I am somewhat puzzled by the question, but let 
me answer a question I can answer, and that is to point out that a few 
days ago President Clinton vetoed a bill that had passed both houses of 
Congress which had in it some provisions that would have, been adverse 
to U.S.-China relations, especially the provision relating to Taiwan, 
and the Taiwan Relations Act.  I think President Clinton's veto of that 
bill is a good reflection of the importance that we attach to U.S.- 
China relations, and I think that is a good indication of our overall 
attitude.  I am sorry, at least on the basis of the question you asked,  
that I am not familiar with the particular resolution you are speaking 
of, if there is a different one.  
 
QUESTION:  Minister Qian, what is China's view of the Joint Declaration 
on Security Issues just issued by President Clinton and Prime Minister 
Hashimoto in Tokyo.  There has been some criticism in the Chinese press 
of this joint statement? 
 
VICE PREMIER QIAN QICHEN:  Not long ago when I visited Japan, actually, 
I touched upon this issue with Prime Minister Hashimoto.  I said at that 
time that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was a treaty that Japan 
accepted the protection by the United States after Japan was defeated 
after the end of the Second World War, and that the United States would 
provide a nuclear umbrella for Japan. I said that if this treaty is to 
be extended to cover the region, then it would give rise to big 
problems. 
 
QUESTION:  Mr. Secretary, why does the U.S. say that we would like to 
the Taiwan Strait and maintain stability in at the same time continue to 
provide advanced weapons, like tanks etc. to the Taiwan region? 
 
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER:  The preference of the United States, indeed the 
commitment of the United States, to providing stability is one is that 
is for the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.  We think that the prosperity 
of countries there and the tranquillity of the area is dependent upon a 
situation of stability and the United States policy is directed to that 
end. Our furnishing of arms to Taiwan is carefully limited in accordance 
with the Taiwan Relations Act, and we don't have any intention to go 
beyond that and as well as our other commitments to restraint in the 
furnishing of arms of that character.  So, I see no inconsistency 
between our commitment to stability in the region and the arms sale in 
the way that we are doing. 
 
QUESTION:  I would like to ask the Foreign Minister, there was an 
editorial this morning in The Peoples Daily which accused the United 
States of seeking to dominate the world in a post-Soviet era.  Is that 
your view or does it reflect the newspaper's paranoia? 
 
VICE PREMIER QIAN QICHEN:  I have not read the editorial that you 
mentioned. I think the viewpoints expressed by editorials by the press 
do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the government, still less 
the viewpoints of each individual.  So I don't know what comment I can 
make on the editorial that you mention.