2005-09-07

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said on Tuesday that he disagreed with the assertion that a stronger China could pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

In a joint interview with Xinhua and China Central Television, Kissinger said he does not agree with those who made the above presumption of "China threat." "Fundamentally, China is making a contribution to international peace and prosperity."

"China poses no challenges to the United States militarily, there are challenges presented by its rapid economic development. But they can be dealt with on a competitive basis," he noted.

Kissinger said that when he visited China in 1971, nobody would believe that China could develop its industry so quickly and could become competitive on the international export market.

"Inevitably, this produces some competition. On the other hand, it also produces enormous opportunities," he said. "There are American companies that have invested tens of billions of dollars in China. They would have not done that if they also think this is not in their interests."

When asked to comment on China's acquisition of American companies, Kissinger said there were some discussions in the United States about the acquisition, but "that's not a key problem."

The key issue that the United States and China need to discuss is the supply of energy and the growing demand for energy worldwide, he said, adding that the United States, China, India and many other countries are major contributors to the present supply challenge.

"I believe that China and the US should discuss issues like that in order to contribute to an evolution of and to the understanding of the problem," he went on to say.

As to the US-China relations, Kissinger said that fundamentally the relationship is good although it has complications that are caused in large part by the fact that the international situation is changing so rapidly.

"The fundamental problem is that the US is the most advanced developed country, China is the most rapidly advancing developing country," he said. "Countries with such different background sometimes don't come immediately to the same point of view."

"Therefore," he continued, "contact between our leaders is essential and should be even more regular than it has been."

Citing the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, Kissinger said China and the United States have cooperated closely on some international issues.

"There are issues like proliferation ... in which the two sides have very important contacts. Contributions of the Chinese side from the American point of view have been very constructive," he explained.

"Up to now, I have been in contact with eight American administrations. No matter how they started, they would conclude with close relations with China that are essential for the world peace, development and progress," he stressed.

Kissinger suggested that the internal debate in America on the US-China relations should be looked at in perspective.

"You can always find different arguments that are put forward by others but they are not the government and they are not decisive," he said. "But fundamentally the need for close relations between our two countries is recognized and supported by our top leaders."