Cohen says democracy, change 'inevitable' in China

U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, left, sits with Xu Kuangdi, mayor of Shanghai, as he vistis China for a fifth day

July 14, 2000
Web posted at: 5:49 p.m. HKT (0949 GMT)

In this story: Cohen discusses Taiwan U.S. avoids mediator role China applauds test failure Jiang complains RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

BEIJING (CNN) -- Chinese citizens will inevitably embrace democracy and demand changes within government as they grow wealthier, U.S. Defense Secretary William told China's Shanghai Stock Exchange.

He said Friday that free trade, quick approval of permanent normal trade relations, or PNTR, for China by the U.S. Senate and China's entry into the World Trade Organization were important to completing China's "circle of stability, prosperity and democracy."

"Becoming a full partner in the world economic system will lead to inevitable change in China," Cohen said.

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The Senate was to vote this month on PNTR. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved the trade relations, included in a market-opening agreement the United States negotiated this year with China. The deal was to help secure China's WTO entry.

"As the people of China become more prosperous, and the middle class here grows, it will do what middle classes have done throughout history -- seek a greater voice in governing," Cohen said.

"In short, a growing, stock-owning Chinese middle class (in greater contact with the world) will do more to keep Asia peaceful, stable and -- eventually -- democratic than any action other nation could possible take," Cohen said.

Cohen discusses Taiwan

Cohen was making his first visit to Beijing -- amid tensions over U.S. plans to build a defensive anti- missile system -- since U.S. planes bombed China's embassy in May 1999 during NATO-led airstrikes against Yugoslavia.

Three Chinese citizens died in that incident, which sparked demonstrations in several Chinese cities against the United States, Britain and NATO. U.S. and NATO officials said, following an investigation, that the bombing had been an accident.

On Wednesday, Cohen and Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian signed an agreement to share information about military-related environmental protection measures.

China also agreed to send, for the first time, officers to the U.S.-sponsored Asia-Pacific Securities Center in Hawaii, and to participate in an annual meeting of Army chiefs from the United States and dozens of Asia-Pacific countries.

Cohen was to meet Chinese President Jiang Zemin later Thursday, when he was expected to hear China's outrage over Israel's decision Wednesday to scrap the sale of a $250 million Phalcon early warning radar system to Beijing.

U.S. avoids mediator role

The Clinton administration has called on both sides to hold face-to-face talks, but has avoided getting involved in the dispute as a mediator. China and Taiwan separated in 1949 amid civil war.

However, the Chinese officials regard Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. Washington acknowledges China's claim to Taiwan, but is required by law to help the island maintain its defense.

While Wang does not hold an official government position, he is reportedly close to Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

"I will go to Taiwan, but at an appropriate time. It all depends on if Taiwan authorities adhere to the one-China principle," China's state-run China Daily newspaper quoted Wang as saying.

Cohen reportedly got the impression during talks in Beijing this week that China's leadership was not sure how to handle Chen's election, or his calls for dialogue since being sworn in.

Jiang complains

Cohen also met Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian during the week, and they signed an agreement to share information about military-related environmental protection measures.

China agreed to send officers to the U.S.-sponsored Asia-Pacific Securities Center in Hawaii, and to participate in an annual meeting of Army chiefs from the United States and dozens of Asia-Pacific countries.

On Thursday, Jiang complained to Cohen about Israel's decision to cancel the sale of the $250-million airborne, Phalcon early warning radar system to China. However, Jiang did not accuse the United States of directly scuttling the deal.

"It was certainly a concern to China that the sale was canceled, but beyond that, we discussed many issues, including Taiwan (and) our overall general relationship with China," Cohen said.

China's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, criticized the United States, saying U.S. officials had pressured Israel to scrap the agreement. U.S. officials were reportedly concerned by the proposed sale. They had said the plane could make it easier for China to plan airstrikes against Taiwan.

"No other country has the right to interfere in bilateral relations between China and other countries," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao. "In our view, agreements reached between China and other governments should be followed."

Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.China
Central Intelligence Agency
NATO
U.S. State Department
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Embassy in China
Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.

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