U.s., China Agree On Close Antiterror Interaction

One of the main themes at the negotiations in Beijing between American under-Secretary of State for East Asia James Kelly and Chinese representatives was the struggle against international terrorism. The RIA Novosti correspondent quotes Chinese diplomatic sources as saying that the sides have agreed on close interaction in opposing terror. According to the sources, James Kelly, who was in China on October 9 through 10, also met with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, his deputy Wan Yi, deputy chief of the general staff of the Chinese army Xiong Guangkai. During the consultations, China reiterated that it is against all forms of terrorism, approves the relative resolutions of the United Nations' Security Council and supports antiterrorist actions. At the same time, in the opinion of Chinese spokesmen the "retaliation action" of the United States must be aimed only against clear-cut targets, do no damage to innocent people and ultimately promote peaceful settlement of the Afghanistan problem. In turn, Kelly assured the Chinese side that the United States' antiterrorist actions are of a limited character and are aimed only against terrorist installations and not against the people of Afghanistan or Islam. The sources said that the issue of Taiwan was also in discussion at the talks. The American spokesman reaffirmed that the United States adheres to the one-China policy. The sides also noted the progress made in the development of bilateral relations, spoke of preparing a meeting between American President George W.Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, due at the Shanghai summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Community. In addition, matters of the antiballistic missile defense and the situation on the Korea peninsula were discussed during the consultations.