*EPF205 08/07/01
Text: Senator Biden to Lead Delegation to Taiwan, China, S. Korea
(Biden to deliver "key messages on non-proliferation") (690)

Senator Joseph Biden (Democrat of Delaware) will lead a four-man delegation to Asia in his first visit overseas since becoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee June 6, when Democrats took over leadership of the Senate.

In an August 3 news release from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden said he intends to deliver key messages on non-proliferation, missile defense, and a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

"Getting our relations right in this part of the world is vital to U.S. national interests and security," Biden said. "As we move forward in establishing stronger ties, we must insist international norms and standards are met, and we will not be shy in asserting the need for China to move faster in adopting democratic principles."

The August 4-11 trip to Asia will include visits to Taiwan, China, and South Korea.

Following is the text of the news release:

(begin text)

Foreign Relations Committee Press Release
August 3, 2001

Biden to Lead Senate Delegation on Crucial Talks in China

Washington, D.C. -- Focusing his attention on critical U.S. relationships in Asia, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced his intention to deliver key messages on non-proliferation, missile defense and a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues during a trip he is leading to Taiwan, China and South Korea from August 4-11. It is the first overseas trip Biden is making since becoming committee chairman on June 6.

The four-member Biden-led congressional delegation (CODEL), with Senators Paul Sarbanes, Arlen Specter and Fred Thompson, will meet with the top leadership in each country, including Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao, Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji and Korean President Kim Dae-Jung.

"Getting our relations right in this part of the world is vital to U.S. national interests and security," Biden said. "As we move forward in establishing stronger ties, we must insist international norms and standards are met, and we will not be shy in asserting the need for China to move faster in adopting democratic principles.

"At the same time, it's crucial to work closely with China and other countries in the region to reduce the danger of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Biden added. "The security of the region and the entire world depends on successfully addressing these issues."

Noting Japan's role as our key ally in Asia, Biden expressed his strong desire to visit Tokyo on future trips to the region.

The CODEL first will visit Taipei to discuss the status of bilateral relations and cross Strait security. The delegation then moves on to Shanghai for a series of meetings, including one at Fudan University, to review political and economic liberalization policies and WTO accession and implications for China.

On Wednesday, August 8, the CODEL will have the rare opportunity to visit Beidaihe, the summer retreat of China's top leadership in a "Camp David" style setting. In meetings with Jiang and Zhu, plus Defense Minister Chi Hao-tian, the discussion is expected to focus on nonproliferation, regional security (including South Asia and the Korean Peninsula), human rights and trade.

In Beijing, the CODEL will visit with some of China's top policy experts before meeting with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on matters relating to strategic cooperation, human rights and counter-terrorism issues. In addition, Biden and his colleagues will visit a rural village outside Beijing, followed by a meeting with students and faculty of the U.S.-funded Temple University/ Qinghua University law school. Topics will include China's economic challenges, the rule of law, labor rights and environmental issues.

Finally, in Seoul, the CODEL will have intensive meetings with President Kim Dae-jung regarding strategic policy and President Kim's "Sunshine Policy," followed by a top security briefing at the DMZ by General Thomas A. Schwarz, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in Korea.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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