China shows concern over U.S. plans for missile defense

BEIJING -- China expressed cautious concern Thursday at the United States' announcement that it would develop a missile-defense program, saying the deployment of any such system "should not undermine the security and stability of the world."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the Chinese government is evaluating the Bush administration's announcement.

"We worry about the possible negative impact on regional stability of a missile-defense system. We hope the relevant parties will act prudently," Liu said at a regular briefing, answering a question raised by a reporter for China's government-run Xinhua News Agency.

"Only through the good cooperation of the international community can we effectively solve the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Liu said.

"The missile-defense system should not undermine the security and stability of the world. Neither should it undermine global and regional security."

President Bush ordered the Pentagon on Tuesday to have ready within two years a basic system to defend American territory, troops and allies against attack by ballistic missiles.

Withdrawn from treaty

Development of missile defense systems was severely limited under the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which expired in June, six months after Bush announced that Washington would withdraw from the 30-year-old agreement.

Liu wouldn't say whether China would add missiles to its arsenal or change its military deployments in response to the news.

"China, in accordance with its national defense needs, will make the appropriate deployments," he said.

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a blistering response Wednesday to the U.S. plan, saying it would destabilize the world and lead to a "new senseless arms race."

Beijing is wary of any U.S. military plans that would change the region's strategic outlook, but it is loath to criticize Washington of late.

Both sides have taken pains to characterize their relationship as on the upswing, and recent high-level military visits -- including two in the past week -- have restored defense ties cut back after a collision between a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea early last year.

Arms race worries

Among other Asian nations, Vietnam reacted cautiously to the American announcement. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh expressed concern Thursday "over actions which may lead to a new arms race."

"Vietnam's position is that all nations should have efforts aimed at comprehensive and complete disarmament, especially nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction," Thanh said at a briefing.

In India, Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna declined comment on the U.S. plans.