Posted on 02/18/2005 5:04:51 PM PST by Paul_Denton
China thankful for hand on EU arms By John Kerin February 18, 2005 From: THE European arms embargo on China is a Cold War relic and Beijing appreciated Australia's decision not to oppose its removal.
In a speech in Canberra, China's envoy to Australia, Madam Fu Ying, also said yesterday her country expected to play a bigger role in the region. But she said China would not pose a threat to other countries.
Madam Fu was commenting after The Weekend Australian revealed last week that Australia was defying US efforts to dissuade the European Union from lifting its 15-year arms trade embargo on China.
A
dvertisement: Japan and the US fear the move could transform the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait.
Australian defence analysts have also warned that if Australia does not oppose the lifting of the EU embargo, Canberra could do little if the US retaliated by selling aircraft and other sensitive military technology to Southeast Asian countries.
But Madam Fu said China "appreciated Australia's position".
"We would like to see that embargo lifted ... because we see it as a legacy of the Cold War," she said.
"It's prejudicial to China's political relations.
"So we would like to see these restrictions which are imposed on China decades ago removed.
"Australia's understanding of China's position shows the level of political trust and understanding between China and Australia."
Madam Fu said that despite China's determination to purchase arms from Europe, it did not see itself as an aggressive power.
"China will for a long time remain a developing country and its primary focus will be on economic expansion for the sake of its population," she said.
"There is no reason to fear that China will threaten the region or the world, much less likely seek to rival the US."
In fact, Madam Fu said China wanted to continue to see the US involved in the region.
"In recent years China and the US have found wider common ground and are engaged in extensive dialogues and co-operation. China and the US have engaged in effective and comprehensive co-operation in such areas as promoting trade and economic ties, combating terrorism, preventing nuclear proliferation and fighting transnational crimes.
"We also work together on major world issues including the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraqi, and Korean nuclear issue," Madam Fu said.
But she had a veiled warning for Washington on Taiwan, where she suggested Beijing wanted peaceful unification but reserved the right to use force.
"China does not appreciate the occasional interference by the US in China's internal affairs.
"But despite our differences we have been able to gradually build understanding, not only between the two governments but also the two peoples," she said.
Madam Fu also confirmed that China was very keen to secure uranium from Australia to fuel its nuclear power industry.
Australia, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
The Chi-Coms are liars! Giving them weapons isn't going to guarantee peace in the region!
Here's my take on this.. check this out...
"Madame, FU!"
.... How can we put this geopolitical situation politely (AU, EU, etc)? ... It looks like the world is caving in to China and is "manufacturing bricks" aft"
Are we?
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