US-China diplomatic talks play down tensions

Kim Landers, Washington correspondent

Last Updated: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:04:00 +1100

The United States and China have begun a series of high level talks, with both sides playing down tensions over Tibet, and a recent maritime confrontation in the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met China's Foreign Minister Yan Jiechi in Washington on Wednesday.

Secretary Clinton says the two countries are united in their opposition to any planned North Korean missile launch.

She says Washington and Beijing will also work to avoid a repeat of a recent confrontation between a US naval ship and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

The standoff is expected to be raised again when China's Foreign Minister meets President Barack Obama on Thursday.

Spy ship

Tensions between Washington and Beijing increased after the Pentagon said Chinese vessels had harassed a US Navy ship in international waters in the South China Sea.

Beijing responded on Tuesday, accusing the United States of illegal surveillance activities in the area.

The US ship involved, the Impeccable, is an ocean surveillance vessel with the Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

"The incident involving the boats of the two countries will be on the list for discussion. I don't think it will overshadow it, but I think the president will continue to make clear our country's position," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told a daily briefing.

Tibet

Meanwhile the US House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging China to end what it calls repression in Tibet.

The resolution was passed by 422 votes to 1, with nine house members abstaining.

It was passed two days after the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, which forced the Dalai Lama into exile.

The resolution urges China to "cease its repression of the Tibetan people, and to lift immediately the harsh policies imposed on Tibetans."

The language of the resolution echoes a message delivered by Secretary Clinton when she met China's foreign minister.

"The Obama administration is absolutely committed to a robust human rights agenda," Clinton said after talks with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi when asked about US policy on China.

Analysts say the resolution, and Secretary Clinton's comments, are unlikely to be received well in Beijing, where - speaking ahead of the bilateral talks in Washington - foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu urged the US to withdraw recent criticism of Chinese policy in Tibet.

"The United States, ignoring the facts, has made unwarranted criticism of China on the issue of Tibet. We express our resolute opposition to, and strong dissatisfaction with this," Mr Ma told a regular press briefing in Beijing yesterday.

"We ask the US side... to acknowledge that Tibet is a part of China and oppose Tibetan independence, avoid harming overall China-US relations, and stop using the Tibet issue to interfere in China's internal affairs.

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