China Warns Bush of 'Confrontation'

In an ominous note Friday, Beijing described changes in Washington as creating a "critical juncture" in U.S.- China relations.

Comments by China’s leadership have made absolutely clear that China may move on a collision course with the new administration if Bush changes Bill Clinton’s pro-mainland policies and tilts in favor of Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told Bush adviser Lawrence Eagleburger that "at the turn of the century, China-U.S. relations are at a critical juncture" and that "[m]aintaining the trend of stable and developing China-U.S. relations is particularly important."

Tang’s remarks followed a telegram sent by President Jiang Zemin to Mr. Bush.

The South China Morning Post reported this weekend that "campaign trail comments by Mr. Bush to bolster Taiwan have deepened suspicions about U.S. intentions.

"The Taiwan issue is the most important, sensitive core issue in China-U.S. relations," the paper quoted Tang as saying. "We hope the new U.S. administration will scrupulously abide by the relevant promises, properly handle the Taiwan issue and clearly support China's peaceful unification. This is crucial to the stability of China-U.S. relations and the situation across" the Taiwan Strait.

China also stepped up the rhetoric in Washington last week, with its embassy there issuing a statement criticizing the U.S. for sponsoring a U.N. resolution condemning China’s human rights abuses.

The embassy’s statement echoes comments made by President Jiang Zemin to President Clinton last month.

Jiang said: "If the United States insists on this confrontational course, which includes introducing or getting others to introduce anti-China resolutions at the U.N. Human Rights Commission meeting, that means we are not seeing the United States willing to return to the course of dialogue."

He added, "So we hope the United States will give up its confrontational approach, return to the negotiating table, and we are [set] for dialogue."