Senior U.S. officials insist they’re not insulted. They see the statement as a signal that Beijing has decided not to repeat its 1996 tactics, when China fired missiles into Taiwanese waters on the eve of the election. “I think they’ve largely decided this time they’re just going to lob some rhetorical volleys,” said a member of Talbott’s Beijing team. That suggests, the official argues, that Beijing has accepted Washington’s argument that any hostile action would further sour relations with the United States and be counterproductive in Taiwan.
U.S. officials also think Beijing’s statement signals that the Chinese are more flexible about the conditions for resuming a dialogue with Taiwan. As long as Beijing sticks to words, says a U.S. official, the White House remains confident the rhetoric “isn’t going to have any impact” on Congress’s vote on admitting China to the World Trade Organization, a major Clinton goal.
Photo: Talbott led a U.S. delegation to Beijing last month
