Week of July 9, 1999
Week of July 9, 1999
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Governments Discussing Indemnity Payment
for Belgrade Bombing
SUMMARY:
In an effort to resume talks in a variety
of areas, American and Chinese officials are discussing a compensation package
to the Chinese government for damage done to its embassy in Belgrade and the
deaths of three Chinese citizens that occurred during a NATO bombing mission.
Despite the Chinese government’s rejection of the American explanation for
the inadvertent bombing offered by Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering,
officials on both sides are hopeful that an indemnity agreement will lead
to the reopening of talks on China’s entry into the World Trade Organization,
and military exchanges. Since May, China has barred U.S. warships and military
aircraft from entering Hong Kong.
Members of Congress have objected to the fact
that there has not been any discussion of indemnity payments to the U.S. for
destruction to American embassies and consulates in China that were damaged
by public reaction to the Belgrade bombing.
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Summary
Bitterness Ensues
SUMMARY:
Hopes that the U.S.-China relationship will
soon be on the mend have been dashed once again this week over two issues:
the incoming U.S. ambassador to China, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. On June
30, three and a half year ambassador James Sasser stepped down. China expressed
anger that information on his successor, retired Admiral Joseph W. Prueher,
was leaked by the press before China was consulted. The Clinton administration
contends that because a final decision has not been made, China has not been
officially notified of his selection. Tension has mounted in China over the
fact that Admiral Prueher was commander of U.S. forces in Asia during the
1996 Straits crisis when U.S. carriers moved into the area in response to
Chinese missile exercises. It is yet unclear whether or not China approves
of Admiral Prueher, but the U.S. is putting aside China’s concerns and proceeding
with the nomination of his appointment.
Another area of recent contention is China’s
claim that recent approval of U.S. defence budget increases is proof that
the U.S. is violating agreements with Beijing by increasing arms sales and
military contacts to Taiwan. Caught between its obligation to offer military
defense assistance through the Taiwan Relations Act and the agreement to reduce
arms sales to Taiwan under the 1982 Shanghai Communique, the U.S. appears
to be committed to maintaining the status quo of a military balance of power
between Taiwan and the mainland.
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Ambassador Sasser Steps Down
SUMMARY:
On June 30, three and a half year ambassador
to China, James Sasser stepped down from one of the most important posts in
America’s foreign relations today. Sasser arrived at his post just prior to
the 1996 Taiwan Straits crisis. He spent his term earnestly rebuilding relations
in Beijing and increasing China’s prestige in America. Among ambassador Sasser’s
most notable accomplishments were escalating the number of congressional visits
to China and effectively building military-to-military ties between the two
governments. Because of Sasser’s efforts, Congressional attitudes toward China
improved significantly prior to the release of the Cox Report to Congress
last December. A proponent of Clinton’s engagement policy, Sasser has done
much to support efforts to encourage China to become a responsible and mature
emerging power. James Sasser is moving on to a post in Vice President Al Gore’s
presidential campaign.
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Members of China Democratic Party Taken Into
Custody
SUMMARY:
Five members of an opposition political party,
the China Democratic Party (CDP), were taken into custody by Chinese police
last week, in what is labeled as a crack-down by human rights organizations
in Hong Kong and the U.S. The Hong Kong based Information Centre of Human
Rights and Democratic Movements reported that on July 6th four carloads of
public security officials arrived at the home of Beijing activist He Depu
with an arrest warrant. The following day, police arrested four CDP members
in Sichuan, ransacking their homes and removing address books and documents.
News sources state that Zhen Wei, Liu Xianbin, She Wanbao, and Ou Yangyi join
at least 9 other CDP members who have been arrest since June, including Yu
Feng of Hebei, recently indicted on charges of subversion.
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New Diplomatic Relations with PNG
SUMMARY:
On July 5, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister
Bill Skate signed a deal with Taiwan for mutual diplomatic recognition. Two
days later, facing accusations of asking Taiwan to buy its ties with $2.35
billion in soft loans and other financial assistance, Mr. Skate stepped down.
The deal will go ahead as signed for the time being, but a newly appointed
Prime Minister may withdraw Taiwan’s official ties due to pressure from a
strongly pro-China Australia, which is the other main source of economic assistance
for the extremely small and economically weak country.
The U.S. and China This Week
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