21 November 2000 U.S. Welcomes China's Nonproliferation Commitment The State Department welcomed China's November 21 statement declaring its commitment not to assist other countries in developing ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver nuclear weapons. In a statement released the same day, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said that China is also taking steps to improve and reinforce its export control system. "This development can strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and China to achieve our common objective of preventing the spread of ballistic missiles that threaten regional and international security," Boucher said. Following is the text: U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release November 21, 2000 Statement by Acting Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, Spokesman We welcome the People's Republic of China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's statement of November 21 regarding China's clear policy commitment not to assist, in any way, other countries to develop ballistic missiles that can be used to deliver nuclear weapons and to further improve and reinforce its export control system, including by publishing at an early date a comprehensive export control list of missile-related items, including dual use items. This development can strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and China to achieve our common objective of preventing the spread of ballistic missiles that threaten regional and international security. In consideration of China's commitment to strengthen its missile-related export control system, we have decided to waive economic sanctions required by U.S. law for past assistance by Chinese entities to missile programs in Pakistan and Iran. Given the relationship between missile nonproliferation and peaceful space cooperation, the U.S. will now resume processing of licenses necessary for commercial space cooperation between U.S. and Chinese companies, such as launching U.S. satellites in China. In addition, the U.S. and China will resume discussions as soon as possible on extending the 1995 U.S.-China Agreement Regarding International Trade in Commercial Launch Services. The U.S. stands ready to continue to cooperate and hold consultations with China and other countries on the issue of nonproliferation with a view to strengthening their respective export control systems for missiles-related equipment and technology. (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) Return to the Washington File