Beijing(AsiaNews/Agencies) –Chinaclaims that it is neither capable nor wants to rival theUnited Stateson issues such as military spending or energy consumption. However, it does expect theUnited Statesto progressively disengage itself fromTaiwan.
China’s defence policy is designed to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity and favour world peace, this according to state news agency Xinhua quoting a government official.China’s defence expenditures as a proportion of its gross domestic product is low compared with some other countries. AndChinahas no intention, nor ability to conduct an arms race with other countries, but wants to enhance regional security through cooperation with others.
In terms of energy,Chinashares many interests and problems with theUnited Stateswith whom it wants to cooperate.
In the last few days, there has been a lot of talk aboutChina’s defence spending which has doubled in ten years.
In response Chinese authorities have released a white paper indicating that its military expenditures are low compared to other countries in relation to their respective gross domestic product (GNP). Officially,China’s defence spending in 2005 represented 1.35 per cent of its GDP compared to 6.2 per cent for theUnited States. However, many Western experts such as those from London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies claim thatBeijing’s actual defence expenditures are much higher than officially reported.
In meeting a delegation from the Armed Services Committee of the US House of Representatives, Chinese Defence MinisterCao Gangchuansaid that China shares extensive strategic interests with the United States and does not want to get into an arms race.
Similarly, sinceChinais a big energy consumer and producer, bothChinaand theUnited Statesface similar challenges and share common interests.
But the Chinese warned theUSdelegation, led byUScongressmen Roscoe Bartlett, that theUnited Statesshould stick to its stated policy onTaiwanand not send the “wrong signals” to independence-minded politicians onTaiwan.
Beijingclaims that theUnited Statesis committed to gradually reducing its arms sales toTaiwan.
BeijingconsidersTaiwanpart ofChinaeven though the island has been a separate entity since the end of the civil war in 1949 and claims its independence. (PB)
