China's #1 trading partner in the Pacific is PNG.
Posted on 01/14/2004 9:54:32 AM PST by knighthawk
CHINA has condemned Australia's decision to join the US's "son of Star Wars" missile defence project, warning that the move threatens to undermine security in the Asia-Pacific region.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canberra said yesterday that Beijing had expressed longstanding opposition to Washington's missile defence plans.
"Our position on this is clear and has been stated many times," the spokesman, Feng Tie, said.
Senior Chinese Foreign Ministry officials have over the past year repeatedly condemned the missile interception system, which it regards as damaging to global non-proliferation efforts.
China also fears the involvement in the system of regional powers such as Japan and Australia could render its own missiles obsolete.
Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham expressed concern over China's reaction.
"We're very, very concerned and opposed to national missile defence, particularly in the context of adding to missile proliferation in our part of the world," Mr Latham said.
"We don't support son of Star Wars ... We don't support the son and if they get down to a grandson, I would very much doubt if our position would change."
But his position leaves the way open to support the position on theatre defence spelt out by Defence Minister Robert Hill on Tuesday, which commits Australia to fitting a future generation of warships with interceptor missiles known as SM3s to create a protective umbrella over any deployed forces.
This is the position he will take to the Labor Party's national conference in a fortnight.
Treasurer Peter Costello appeared to pour cold water on Senator Hill's enthusiasm for Australian involvement.
Mr Costello said no funds had yet been committed to the program.
Meanwhile, US and Australian officials have begun talks in Sydney on Australia's participation in the more modest theatre-defence form of the shield.
The US's parent national defence program is far more ambitious in its aim to protect the continental US as well as warships on patrol.
John Howard will meet US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Richard Myers in Sydney tomorrow to discuss missile defence as well as the war in Iraq and regional security.
When the Reds complain about a nation being able to DEFEND itself from attack, they reveal their hostile true intention.
BTW, Funny how the Communist position on missile defense mirrors the liberal position on concealed carry: "How dare you be able to protect yourself!'
Yeah, so? Does China think it owns the world? Guess what, a lot of people think they own the world.
BTW, How much $YAUN$ from the Chicoms has Shrillary collected so far.
China's #1 trading partner in the Pacific is PNG.
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