U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesman

Comments by
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
Following Bilateral Meeting With
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang
Hanoi, Vietnam (Third Floor)
July 25, 2001

QUESTION: (Inaudible) Chinese scholar?

SECRETARY POWELL: We did talk about that, and I'm pleased that it looks like some of these cases are on the way to resolution, and I think that was a positive development in our relationship. We did talk about that, but we'll wait to see how that totally plays out before I comment on it.

QUESTION: How about the NMD issue?

SECRETARY POWELL: We didn't get into missile defense at this meeting. I spoke about it earlier at lunch at the regional forum meeting. I'm sure that when I'm in Beijing we will have an opportunity to speak about America's plans for a new strategic framework, and how it is a strategic framework that will reduce the number of offensive nuclear weapons, and we'll put in place limited missile defenses against rogue nations, as they are sometimes called. But I think I can persuade Chinese leaders that it is not a system that is directed against them, or they should find threatening in any way. Thank you.

QUESTION: How would you gauge the relationship right now?

SECRETARY POWELL: The relationship coming out of the EP-3 incident is improving. The minister confirmed that in his comments earlier in the day at the ARF meeting, and I certainly confirmed it. So I'm looking forward to my meetings in Beijing, the President is very much looking forward to his attendance at the APEC meeting in Shanghai, and then his meetings in Beijing in the fall. Thank you.

END