Beijing - A team of US diplomats met officials in China yesterday to discuss President Bush's decision to abandon an anti-ballistics missile treat, reports Miriam Donohoe. A US embassy spokesman confirmed yesterday that the diplomats "consulted" officials in Beijing following the US announcement of the withdrawl from the treaty last week.
China has criticised the decision to pull out of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which it regarded as a cornerstone of global stability. It has called for multilateral talks to safeguard global peace and stability.
China fears that US plans to develop a multi-billion dollar defence system could threaten the global balance and set off a new arms race.