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Fighter aircraft deal
In 1992, the U.S. Government announced the sale of 150 F-16 fighter aircrafts to Taiwan, which seriously violated the China-U.S. August 17 Communique and again undermined the bilateral relations.
Lee Teng-hui's "Private Visit"
In May 1995, the U.S. Government announced its decision to permit Lee Teng-hui to pay a "private visit" to the U.S. in June of the same year. China-U.S. relations plummeted to its lowest point. The Chinese Government expressed its strong opposition and made solemn representation to the U.S. Government over such an act of interfering with China's internal affairs and infringing upon China's sovereignty.
NMD & TMD
On February 17 and 18, 2000, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Deputy Secretary of State Talbott held China-U.S. Consultation on Strategic Security. The two sides concentrated and had an in-depth and frank exchange of views on the global and regional security, China-U.S. relations and, in particular, the Taiwan question. They agreed that China and the US bear special responsibilities for safeguarding world and regional peace, stability and security. They also expressed their desire to increase contacts, enhance mutual understanding, broaden consensus and promote cooperation. The Chinese side pointed out that the development and deployment of the National Missle Defense (NMD) system and the Theatre Missle Defense (TMD) system is not in the interest of global strategic balance, nor does it serve regional peace and stability. The Chinese side hopes that the US side will respect the universal aspiration of the international community, handle the matter with prudence and come up with a wise decision.
Meetings
On Feb. 18, 2000, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Wannian, Minister in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee Liu Huaqiu and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA Xiong Guangkai met with Mr. Talbott and his entourage respectively.
From March 28 to 30, 2000, Samuel Berger, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security, visited China. President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, and Minister in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee Liu Huaqiu met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with him. Mr. Berger stated during the meetings and talks that the U.S. sticks to its "One China" policy, observes the three China-U.S. Joint communiqués, and does not support the independence of Taiwan, does not support "Two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan", and does not support Taiwan's entry into any international organization where statehood is required.
From June 22 to 23, 2000, U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright visited China. President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice Premier Qian Qichen met with her respectively. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with her. She stated during the talks and meetings that the U.S. Government understands the importance and sensitivity of the Taiwan question, and it adheres to its "One China" Policy and observes the three China-U.S. Joint communiqués, and does not support the independence of Taiwan, does not support "Two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan", and does not support Taiwan's entry into any international organization where statehood is required.
(to be continued)
Editor: Wing
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