China defends ties with energy-rich ‘rogue’ states
Sept 8, 2005 (BEIJING) — China responded to criticism from the US of its cooperation with energy-rich countries seen as rogue states, saying these ties were all normal trade dealings.
Like China’s multi-faceted cooperation with the US, it was “normal” for it to pursue a range of dealings with other countries, including those in the energy sector, foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.
Qin’s remarks followed criticism this week by deputy secretary of State Robert Zoellick of China’s ties with states regarded by Washington as troublesome, such as Iran, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.
“Under the principle of peaceful cooperation, China and other countries are developing normal friendly relations and normal cooperations,” Qin said at a regular briefing. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
Washington has questioned Beijing’s ties to dictators such as Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan, and its courting of energy-rich rogue states such as Sudan.
“It is important for China to recognize that in their policies with countries like Sudan, Burma (Myanmar), Iran, while they may be driven by more narrow energy interests, they are being perceived in the US and elsewhere as having a larger foreign policy effect,” Zoellick was quoted as saying by the Financial Times.
Some US experts worry that Beijing’s ambition to take over more energy assets to drive its booming economy will eventually threaten the US’ position as the world’s dominant power.
Earlier this year, Chinese oil company CNOOC was forced to abandon a bid to buy US energy group Unocal after concern in the US that it would undermine American interests.
(AFX/ST)