1999 

Taiwan Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Palau (AFP, Dec. 30, 1999) Taiwan has established diplomatic relations with the tiny west Pacific island group of Palau, Foreign Minister Chen Chien-jen announced on Thursday. The accord with Palau lifted to 29 the number of countries which recognise Taiwan rather than China. Palau, which has a population of 17,800, is rich in fishery and tourism resources.

West "Won't Intervene Over Taiwan"?
(South China Morning Post, Dec. 29, 1999) Party cadres have cited the Western world's inaction over Moscow's campaign in Chechnya as evidence that foreign powers would not intervene even if Beijing were to use intimidation or violence to "liberate" Taiwan. A source familiar with Beijing's Taiwan policy-making elite said yesterday senior cadres handling Taiwan had played up the "success" of Russian forces in Chechnya.

New U.S. President Must Abide By One-China Policy: Chinese FM
(AFP, Dec 27, 1999) A new U.S. president must stick to a "one-China" policy and make clear Washington will never recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in an interview published Monday. "The Taiwan problem is the most difficult and challenging issue between the United States and China," Tang was quoted by the Sankei Shimbun as telling Japanese journalists in Beijing.

China Sentences Key Falun Gong Members to Prison
(New York Times, Dec. 26, 1999) Three men and a woman accused of being top leaders of the Falun Gong spiritual movement outlawed by the Chinese government last summer were given prison sentences today ranging up to 18 years, including the two harshest term for a political dissident in the past half decade.

China Democracy Party Calls for End to One-party Rule
(AFP, Dec. 24, 1999) China's leading opposition party called Friday for an end to one-party rule and a move towards democracy for the world's most populous nation in the new millennium. The China Democracy Party, which has been outlawed and most of whose leaders are in jail, issued the bold call in a "declaration for the people" released to international media.

Tang Warns of Potential PRC Invasion in 2005
(Taipei Times, Dec. 21, 1999) Commenting on statements made by mainland Chinese president Jiang Zemin at yesterday's handover ceremony in Macau, Minister of National Defense Tang Fei said Taiwan must be fully prepared to meet a potential military attack by mainland China. He said that mainland China would have the capability to make such an attack by 2005.

After Macao, China's Gaze Turns To Taiwan
(Reuters, Dec 18, 1999) With Hong Kong back in Chinese hands since 1997 and Lisbon handing over Macao on Sunday night, Beijing is turning its gaze toward what it calls the last missing piece of China's national tapestry - the island of Taiwan. Beijing touted "one country, two systems" as a model for global conflict resolution - and Macau's handover as "a significant step towards solving the Taiwan problem".

Taiwan Fighter Goes Missing, Crash Feared
(Reuters, Dec 14, 1999) One of Taiwan's new fleet of high-tech Mirage 2000-5 fighters went missing over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, the military said, raising fears the island had lost its sixth advanced warplane in two years. Since March 1998, Taiwan has lost four of its 150 U.S.-made F-16 fighters. Their sale to Taiwan also outraged Beijing when the deal was announced in 1992.

Tang: Long-Range Missiles Not Policy (United Daily News , Dec. 10, 1999) Minister of National Defense Tang Fei yesterday described Vice President Lien Chan's comments regarding long-range surface-to-surface missiles as an "official viewpoint," but not "official policy."

China Criticizes US Over Falun Gong
(AP, Dec. 7, 1999) "The U.S. government has adopted a double standard on the cult, and also turned a deaf ear to the adverse effect and the damage of Falun Gong to the Chinese people and society, and even tried to beautify this cult and interfere in China's internal affairs."

Taiwan Says US Has Agreed to Sell Advanced Air-to-Air Missiles
(AFP, Dec. 7, 1999) Taiwan said Tuesday the United States has agreed to sell it advanced AIM-120 air-to-air missiles to counter perceived military threats by China. "The US has agreed to sell software of the missiles, which will be installed on the fire control system of the F-16s (fighter jets)."

Taiwan Army Upgrades C3 Systems
(Taipei Times, Nov. 30, 1999) Senior military officials said yesterday that the command, control and communications (C3) capability of the Army is expected to be greatly upgraded following the establishment of a tactical communication system by next February. They say that the utility of this system was proven in the field during operations conducted as part of emergency work after the 921 earthquake.

China Uses Regional Summit To Bolster Role As Key Ally
(AFP, Nov 29, 1999) Premier Zhu Rongji used a regional summit here Sunday to bolster China's role as a key political ally committed to market reforms despite territorial disputes with its smaller neighbors. "China cannot develop without East Asia, neither can East Asia develop without China," Zhu told a summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea.

Taiwan to Withdraw Troops from Islands Near China: Report
(AFP, Nov 28, 1999) Taiwan plans to withdraw troops from two island groups near mainland China and replace them with coastguard units, the Central Daily News reported Sunday. The newspaper, which is financed by the ruling Kuomintang, said marine units on Wuchiu and Tungying, tiny island groups off the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian, would be replaced by coastguard units, which are due to be established on January 1.

China Build-Up Reports Hit Taiwan Stocks
(AFP, Nov. 26, 1999) Reports that China was massing submarines along its south-eastern coast caused Taiwan's stockmarket to plunge yesterday, prompting the island's Defence Minister Tang Fei to refute the reports as "fabrication". His remarks, however, failed to stop share prices from plummeting. The Taiwan Stock Exchange weighted price index lost 309.09 points, or 3.9 per cent, to close at 7,595.44.

Taiwan Unable to Defend Pratas, Spratlys: Defense Minister (CNA, Nov. 24, 1999) The Republic of China does not have the capability of defending the Tungsha (Pratas) and Nansha (Spratly) islands located in the South China Sea in the event of military conflict in the region, Defense Minister Tang Fei said on Wednesday.

China Says Not Ready To Sign Spratlys Code Of Conduct
(AFP, Nov 23, 1999) China said Tuesday no agreement had been reached on a code of conduct over the disputed Spratly islands, but described such an agreement as "important", after talks here between Chinese and Malaysian leaders.

China Space Test Has Military Role
(AP, Nov. 22, 1999) China's first successful test of a spacecraft for manned flight also had major military implications, proving China has mastered technology that could defeat U.S. anti-missile defensesy. The same low-power propulsion technology used to adjust a spacecraft's orbit in flight could also be used to alter the path of offensive missiles, helping them evade proposed U.S. anti-missile defense systems known as TMD and NMD.

Chinese Test Craft For Manned Orbits: Space Launch Boosts National Pride
(Washington Post, Nov. 22, 1999) Chinese scientists launched the country's first spacecraft designed to carry humans into orbit and guided it back to Earth today, making a key breakthrough in the government's seven-year effort to join the United States and Russia in the elite club of manned space flight.

China Completes First Space Mission
(AFP, Nov. 21, 1999) China successfully completed the first test launch in its ambitious manned space flight program Sunday as an unmanned space vehicle returned to earth after orbiting the planet 14 times.

Taiwan Pullout From Spratlys Is Gesture to China
(AP, Nov. 19, 1999) Taiwan's planned troop withdrawal from disputed islands in the South China Sea should be seen as a goodwill gesture to Beijing, a senior Taiwanese official said Friday. By pulling its marines off the Pratas and Taiping islands, Taiwan hopes to avoid a military standoff with China, which also claims the islands, said Lin Chong-pin, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council.

A Deal That May Transform China
(The Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 16, 1999) American officials and Chinese scholars say Beijing's joining the World Trade Organization, which is virtually assured now that the two Pacific powerhouses have signed a pact, could trigger a momentous shift in US-China ties. A similar sea change will accompany China's accelerated embrace of the free market under WTO mandates.

China and U.S. Sign Landmark Trade Deal
(New York Times, Nov. 15, 1999) American and Chinese trade negotiators announced one of the largest trade deals in American history on Monday, a comprehensive agreement to open China's economy to foreign competitors in return for Beijing's entry into the World Trade

Poll: Americans Could Accept Casualties to Defend Taiwan
(United Daily News, Nov. 9, 1999) According to an opinion survey recently conducted by scholars in the United States, Americans from all walks of life support the notion of U.S. military intervention to prevent a mainland Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and would be prepared to accept the loss of around 20,000 soldiers on such a mission.

House Leaders Delay Taiwan Vote On Concerns Over China Talks
(Washington Post, Nov. 2, 1999) House leaders have decided to put off a floor vote on a controversial bill to improve U.S.-Taiwan military relations, after some lawmakers raised concerns that the move could interfere with sensitive negotiations to bring China into the World Trade Organization.

Taiwan Hopes to Raise Military Spending (AFP, Nov. 1, 1999) Taiwan Defence Minister Tang Fei said on Monday that military expenditure would be raised by 40 billion Taiwan dollars (1.26 billion US) for the next fiscal year to cope with a perceived growing threat from China. "Hopefully the military spending would make up for three percent of the gross domestic product in the year 2001," Tang said.

China's Electronic Weapons May Menace Taiwan in Five Years
(AFP, Oct. 31, 1999) China's developing electronic warfare capability is expected to pose a direct threat to Taiwan in five years, a defense ministry report warned Sunday. The report cited satellite communications and reconnaissance expertise as well as an electronic magnatic pulse -- a state-of-the-art weapon which experts said could wipe out an enemy's command systems in minutes.

China Opposes US Bill to Strengthen Military Ties with Taiwan
(AFP, Oct. 28, 1999) China on Thursday said it strongly objected to a United States Congressional bill to strengthen military ties with Taiwan, calling it a potential threat to Sino-US relations. "The bill violates China's sovereignty and it brutally interferes with China's internal affairs. China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition to the bill," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at a news briefing.

U.S.-Taiwan Security Act Criticized
(AP, Oct. 26, 1999) A House committee moved Tuesday to expand U.S.-Taiwan security ties and send a clear message to China that the United States would respond to aggression against Taiwan. The Clinton administration said the measure could worsen tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

China To Rule Skies In Taiwan Strait In 3-5 Years
(AFP, Oct 26, 1999) Taiwan Defense Minister Tang Fei warned Tuesday that arch-foe China may obtain air superiority in the Taiwan Strait in three to five years. Tang dismissed reports that China already had the capacity to paralyze the island's information system and take full control of the skies above the Strait within 45 minutes of war breaking out.

Post-Quake Reconstruction Will Not Compromise Taiwan's Defense Budget
(CNA, Oct. 25, 1999) Premier Vincent Siew said on Monday that the extra financial burden caused by the reconstruction of earthquake-devastated areas of central Taiwan will not bite into the island's defense budget in any way.

Taiwan May Not Get German Satellite
(AP, Oct. 25, 1999) A German company that has been trying for months to get government permission to sell a $34 million Earth observation satellite to Taiwan will not be granted an export permit.

Jiang Leaves European Powers Guessing About China's Future
(AFP, Oct 24, 1999) Chinese leader Jiang Zemin remains a mystery man to the European powers despite his encounters with presidents and prime ministers and a monarch over the past week, analysts said. "China wants better relations with the European Union to counter-balance the United States, but Jiang remains fixated by the United States."

Taiwan Military Uses Pratas Islands
(AP, Oct. 20, 1999) The Pratas Islands are an important bastion against Chinese forces in the South China Sea and Taiwanese troops stand ready to repel any attack.

Chinese Crackdown On Falungong Sect Switches To Purge Of State
(AFP, Oct. 17, 1999) The Chinese government crackdown on the outlawed Falungong religious sect is now targeting civil service and state enterprise employees, state press reported Sunday.

AIT Chairman Opposes Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
(CNA, Oct. 12, 1999) The chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on Tuesday said he opposes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (TSEA) proposed in the US Congress because it would severely impact trilateral ties among Washington, Taipei and Beijing.

China Says Deep Concerns Remain Over Japan-US Security Cooperation
(AFP, Oct 12, 1999) China said Tuesday it still had deep concerns over security cooperation between Japan and the United States following the resumption of its defense dialogue with Japanese officials.

China Lashes Out Against U.S. Defense Law
(Reuters, Oct. 11, 1999) China announced strong displeasure with the United States for signing the fiscal year 2000 defense bill into law, saying it contained anti-China articles, state media reported on Friday.

China Slams U.S. Allegations Of Religious Intolerance
(AFP, Oct 8, 1999) China hit out Thursday against accusations from the United States of religious intolerance under a new law which could result in sanctions against Beijing. The US State Department on Wednesday said it had targeted Burma, China, Iran, Iraq and Sudan for religious intolerance under the Religious Freedom Act.

Spy Satellites Said to Track US Warships
(AFP, Oct. 6, 1999) The mainland has 17 spy satellites that continuously monitor the movements of the US military and which could also be used to guide a "saturated" missile attack on American and Taiwan warships, reports said. "If the US seeks to intervene militarily into the internal affairs of China and Taiwan, they will find that the entirety of their global movements are seen by Chinese spy satellites."

Two US-Built Knox Frigates Join Taiwan Navy
(AFP, Oct. 4, 1999) Two US-built Knox frigates joined the Taiwanese naval fleet Monday three days after rival China showcased its military muscle as part of celebrations for 50 years of communist rule.

Highest Percentage Ever Consider Themselves Taiwanese (CNA, Sep. 3, 1999) The residents of Taiwan have seen a dramatic rise in their self-identity since Beijing reacted furiously to President Lee Teng-hui's redefinition of the cross-strait relationship. The poll found that a record high of 44.8 percent of the poll's respondents consider themselves Taiwanese rather than Chinese, up 7.9 percentage points from the last such poll conducted in April

White House Opposes Bill on Taiwan
(Washington Post, Oct. 3, 1999) The Clinton administration has mobilized the business community and its own officials to try to block or dilute a little-noticed bill on U.S.-Taiwan relations that the administration fears could complicate its relationship with China.

Chinese President Repeats Threats of Force Against Taiwan
(CNN, Sep. 28, 1999) Chinese President Jiang Zemin said on Monday that China wanted "peaceful unification" with Taiwan, but added that it would not back down from threats to use force, if necessary, to bring the island back under Chinese control.

US Spy Satellites to Help Taiwan Intercept China Missiles
(AFP, Sep. 20, 1999) US spy satellites could be used to help Taiwan intercept Chinese missiles in the event of a mainland attack on the nationalist island.

US Military Mission in Taiwan to Assess Defense Needs
(Reuters, Sep. 19, 1999) A US military mission has arrived in Taiwan on a low-profile trip to evaluate the island's defense capability against rival China. The team was to hold working-level meetings with the Taiwan military from Monday, it added, quoting authoritative military sources.

White House Opposes Bill Aimed To Boost Taiwan Security
(AFP, Sep 16, 1999) A bill (Taiwan Security Enhancement Act) aimed at boosting Taiwan's security is "unnecessary" and could have "serious, unintended negative consequences," two key aides to U.S. President Bill Clinton warned lawmakers.

Bellicose Party Beats the Drums of War
(Sydney Morning Herald, Sep. 15, 1999) While most regional governments are distracted with the crisis in East Timor, a calculated propaganda campaign aimed at convincing the Chinese public of the danger to China's territorial integrity and the enmity between the Communist and Nationalist parties is under way.

U.S. Won't Punish China On Missiles
(Reuters, Sep. 15, 1999) A U.S. intelligence finding that China provided Pakistan with complete M-11 short-range ballistic missiles is insufficient for the U.S. government to conclude that new strict sanctions should be invoked, the State Department said.

Two Chinese Officers Executed for Spying for Taiwan
(AFP, Sep. 14, 1999) Two high-ranking army officers have been executed for spying for Taiwan, in one of the biggest espionage scandals since the island split with China in 1949.

U.S. Support For 'One China' Policy Seen As Crucial
(AFP, Sep 13, 1999) Beijing Sunday praised U.S. support for the "one China policy" on Taiwan as crucial to boosting ties, while the rocky bilateral relationship appeared to be on the mend in time for China's celebrations marking 50 years of communist rule.

U.S. Intelligence: China Likely To Increase ICBMs Pointed At U.S.
(AFP, Sep. 10, 1999) China's arsenal of missiles targeted on the United States is likely to grow over the next 15 years to include mobile missiles with smaller warheads, according to a U.S. intelligence estimate made public Thursday.

KMT Expels Speaker Over Charter Change
(AFP, Sep. 9, 1999) Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang expelled its National Assembly Speaker yesterday for failing to stop a constitutional amendment that extends deputies' terms of office.

People's Daily Responds to Susan Shirk
(South China Morning Post, Sep. 8, 1999) "We believe that in such an eventuality, the use of force would be catastrophic for China as well as for Taiwan - and, of course, would be disastrous for US-China relations, and would, no doubt, pit us in an actual war," said Susan Shirk. China will eventually reunify with Taiwan no matter what the cost, the People's Daily said.

Howard Tells Jiang to Avoid Force on Taiwan
(Reuters, Sep. 8, 1999) Australian Prime Minister John Howard has urged Chinese President Jiang Zemin in a meeting today not to use force against Taiwan, and raised the issue of East Timor.

Taipei Plans to Suspend Charter
(The Straits Times, Sep. 7, 1999) Taiwan's National Assembly Speaker said yesterday that the island planned to "suspend" the present Constitution and instead draft a "basic law" to reflect its current constitutional reality.

Jiang Arrives In Australia Amid Warnings About Taiwan
(AFP, Sep. 6, 1999) President Jiang Zemin arrived in Australia Monday for the first visit by a Chinese head of state, amid warnings from Canberra against the use of force over Taiwan. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer set the tone Sunday, saying the Chinese president would be told Australia strongly opposed the use of force against Taiwan.

China Won't Use Nukes Vs. Taiwan (Associated Press, Sep. 2, 1999) While declaring its resolve to retake rival Taiwan by force if necessary, China removed one threat today by promising not to use nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict.

Jiang Insists on Right to Use Force to Reunite China with Taiwan (AFP, Aug. 31, 1999) Speaking on the eve of his first visit to Australia, Jiang said China's preferred policy was reunification by peaceful means, but warned this needed the support of a military option to be effective.

Russian Sale Of Fighters To China Almost A Sealed Deal (Reuters, Aug. 26, 1999) China and Russia are making preparations for the sale of advanced Sukhoi fighter aircraft to Beijing, a Russian spokesman said on Thursday. News of a potential sale comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Taiwan.

Taipei Denies Claim of US Pressure
(South China Morning Post, Aug. 23, 1999) Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jason Hu Chih-chiang yesterday strongly denied reports the United States was to send a delegation to the island to discuss Taiwan's war of words with the mainland. He denied Washington was putting pressure on Taiwan to abandon President Lee Teng-hui's controversial "two-states" theory.

China Ponders New Rules of 'Unrestricted War' By John Pomfret (Washington Post, August 8, 1999)

ASEAN Eyes Taiwan Strait, To Reaffirm 'One China'
(Reuters, July 23, 1999) The latest war of words between China and Taiwan prompted Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers to agree to re-affirm the group's ``one China'' policy in a statement to be issued Saturday, said a Singapore foreign ministry spokesman.

China Says It Can Build Neutron Bomb
(Washington Post, July 15, 1999) The Chinese government announced today that it long ago mastered the technology for building a neutron bomb, emphasizing that Chinese scientists developed the weapon on their own, not through the theft of U.S. nuclear secrets, as has been alleged.

China Criticizes U.S. on Taiwan
(AP, July 6, 1999) Further souring their frayed relations, China accused the United States today of trying to meddle in Chinese affairs by pushing for stronger ties with Taiwan.

Chinese Army Officers To Get Training To "Win Regional Wars"
(AFP, July 11, 1999) The PLA would set up courses for its officers "so as to improve their qualities and skills and help them win any potential future high-tech regional wars and confrontations," Xinhua news agency reported.

PNG Prime Minister Quits amid Storm over Taiwan Ties Deal
(AFP, July 7, 1999) Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Bill Skate resigned Wednesday amid uproar over a decision to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of China, a move his likely successor said would be reviewed.

Taiwan, PNG Set Up Full Diplomatic Ties
(AFP, July 5, 1999) Papua New Guinea and Taiwan forged full diplomatic links here Monday, officials said. The southwestern Pacific nation ignored advice from its neighbour Australia not to anger China by swapping diplomatic recognition in exchange for badly needed financial assistance.

Fearing China, Manila Turns to U.S
(Associated Press, July 5, 1999) Eight years after the Philippines ordered a shutdown of American military bases on its soil, Filipino concern over Chinese actions in the South China Sea is leading to a partial revitalization of U.S.-Philippines military ties.

Big Three Told: Stand Up to China
(The Australian, July 5, 1999) US and Japan must work together to establish the limits of China's powers, a senior Japanese official has said, adding that they are the only countries in the region strong enough to stand up to the emerging superpower.

Taiwan FM Hu Calls for Closer Look at Taiwan's Value and Functions (CNA, June 30, 1999) ROC Foreign Minister Jason Hu on Tuesday called on the Pacific rim countries to faithfully recognize the Republic of China's role and functions in the region as a "preserver of peace, vanguard of democracy, promoter of prosperity." Hu also urged his American audience not to view everything about Taiwan from Beijing perspective, nor to drag Taiwan into issues between mainland China and the United States.

Chen Shui-bian: Taiwan's Fate Is Not China's To Decide (Reuters, June 27, 1999) The main opposition party's candidate in Taiwan's coming presidential polls said the island should be left alone to decide its political future and appealed to the world to respect whichever path it chooses.

Taiwan Concerned About China Arms (Associated Press, June 24, 1999) China's aspirations to be the region's dominant power are a threat to peace and stability in Asia and risk sparking an arms race across the Taiwan Strait, President Lee Teng-hui said.

China Says U.S. Wants To Become "Lord Of Earth" (Reuters, June 22, 1999) "If you ask which country wants to become 'the Lord of the Earth' as the then Nazi Germany had tried to, there is only one answer," said a commentary in the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party.

With Su-30s, China Would Pose Greater Threat To Taiwan (AFP, June 22, 1999) Taiwan was alerted to reports Tuesday that Russia has resolved to sell 72 advanced Sukhoi-30 jets to China, with the defense ministry here calling for better training and further upgrading of its own fleet.

U.S. Envoy Fails to Persuade China (Associated Press, June 17, 1999) Despite a U.S. envoy's detailed explanation of how NATO accidentally bombed China's embassy in Yugoslavia, China remained unconvinced Thursday that the sophisticated American military machine could have made such a mistake.

Beijing Willing to Mend Washington Ties (South China Morning Post, June 14, 1999) Beijing has signalled its willingness to improve relations with the US despite the mainland's decision to deploy more resources to fight "hegemonism". Official newspapers yesterday quoted Vice-Premier Qian Qichen as saying Beijing would not pursue an adversarial policy towards the United States.

Envoy Heads to China to Ease Strain (Washington Post, June 14, 1999) Pickering Will Explain Embassy Bombing as 'Tragic Accident.' Pickering has been prepared for weeks to bring a formal report on the bombing to Beijing, but Chinese officials refused to invite him for their own political reasons, Clinton administration officials said.

Taiwan Redefines China Relations (AP, July 10, 1999) In his latest step to highlight Taiwan's separate status, President Lee Teng-hui defined the island's relations with mainland China as ``special nation-to-nation relations.''

U.S. House Backs Measures to Counter China Spying (Reuters, June 9, 1999) The House of Representatives overwhelmingly adopted a package of measures on Wednesday to counter alleged Chinese espionage, with lawmakers promising it would be just the first of many proposals to safeguard nuclear and technological secrets.

Pentagon Required to Present Report on TRA Implementation (CNA, June 8, 1999) The US Senate passed an amendment to the 2000 Defense Appropriation Bill, which requires the Department of Defense and the US Pacific Command jointly prepare a report on the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).

Clinton Renews Beijing's Trade Status as Battle Brews (Reuters, June 4, 1999) President Clinton told Congress on Thursday he would renew China's trade privileges for another year. ''Trade also remains a force for social change in China, spreading the tools, contacts and ideas that promote freedom,''

Tiananmen Images Still Haunt U.S.-China Relations (Reuters, June 3, 1999) The image of a Chinese demonstrator defying a tank still haunts U.S. ties with China a decade after the Tiananmen Square massacre as relations between the two powers take a fresh downturn.

Clinton Seeks to Extend China Trade (Associated Press, June 2, 1999) Clinton remains convinced that engagement with China is key to improving relations and helping businesses in both nations. And, after some angry rhetoric, Congress is expected to go along with the one-year extension.

China Demands U.S. Cancel Weapons Sale to Taiwan (Reuters, June 1, 1999) China on Tuesday demanded the United States cancel plans to sell air-to-surface anti-tank weapons to Taiwan to avoid ``new damage'' to strained Sino-U.S. ties.

Beijing Reinterprets Hong Kong's Constitution on Right of Abode (AFP, June 26, 1999)

China Sets Up Defense Campus (Straits Times, June 20, 1999)

China Extends "Military Diplomacy" in Face of Regional Crises (AFP, June 18, 1999)

China Calls For More "Ideological Education" For Students (AFP, June 16, 1999)

Chinese Missiles 'Can Hit Heart of US' (Straits Times, June 15, 1999)

China Rethinks Security After NATO Attack (Washington Post, June 11, 1999)

National Security High on Communist Party List (South China Morning Post, June 10, 1999)

Corruption Still Spreading in China (Financial Times, June 4, 1999)

China's Submarine-Launched Missile To Be Tested (Financial Times, June 3, 1999)

Beijing Wary of 'East Asian Nato Threat' (South China Morning Post, May 31, 1999)

Chinese Envoy Links Spy Charges To WTO Entry Talks (Reuters, May 31, 1999)

US Urges Renewed Cooperation with China Amid Souring Ties (AFP, May 29, 1999)

Taiwan MND Hails US Sales of Anti-Tank Missiles (CNA, May 28, 1999)

Pentagon Required to Report on Taiwan Strait Security Annually (CNA, May 27, 1999)

US Vows No Trade Concessions to China Over Bombing (Reuters, May 27, 1999)

China's Improved Nuclear Weapons Pose Threat to Taiwan (AFP, May 26, 1999)

China May Add 100 Missiles Over 15 Years (Washington Post, May 26, 1999)

Panel Says Chinese Arms Used U.S. Data - House Committee To Release Report On Spying's Effects (Washington Post, May 25, 1999)

Tracking the Suspicions of China's Nuclear Spying (New York Times, May 23, 1999)

End of Port Calls Hurts China Ties - Hong Kong Visits Reduced 'Mistrust' (Washington Post, May 22, 1999)

Lee Books a Place in History (Financial Times, May 22, 1999)

Harvard Historian Casts PRC as A Failure (CNA, May 18, 1999)

Under Spotlight, Taiwan Calls Anew for China Talks (Reuters, May 18, 1999)

Taiwan's Top Envoy Appeals for 'Interim Agreements' with China (AFP, May 18, 1999)

Lee Pushes Vision of Autonomous Regions (AP, May 17, 1999)

US on the Defensive in Ties with China (AFP, May 15, 1999)

China 'May Wage Information War Against Taiwan' (AFP, May 14, 1999)

China Is Installing a Warhead Said to Be Based on U.S. Secrets (New York Times, May 14, 1999)

China Army Vows to Speed Up Modernisation (Reuters, May 13, 1999)

Beijing Reviews Foreign Policy (Financial Times, May 12, 1999)

Chinese Freeze US Military Contacts (AP, May 12, 1999)

'Strategic Partnership' Takes a Hit Steven Mufson (Washington Post, May 11, 1999)

Taiwanese Opposition Struggles for Support (Financial Times, May 10, 1999)

China Army Urged to Relook Art of War (The Straits Times, May 9, 1999)

China's Explosive NATO Unrest Distresses Taiwan (Reuters, May 9, 1999)

U.S. Senate Intelligence Chair Sees China Threat (Reuters, May 8, 1999)

DPP National Congress Passes Resolution on Taiwan's Future (CNA, May 8, 1999)

China Slams US over Taiwan Weapon Sales (AFP, May 6, 1999)

Taiwan's Opposition Party Tones Down Call for Independence (New York Times, May 6, 1999)

Taiwan Explains Its China Position (AP, May 3, 1999)

Clinton Reiterates Peaceful Resolution of Taiwan Strait Disputes (CNA, May 3, 1999)

1998 Report Told of Lab Breaches and China Threat (New York Times, May 2, 1999)

Poll Finds Low Trust in Beijing (CNA, May 2, 1999)

Chinese Communists Say the Party Isn't Over (New York Times, Week in Review, May 2, 1999)

U.S. Plans to Sell Radar to Taiwan to Monitor China ( New York Times, Apr. 30, 1999)

Taiwan to Budget 800 Million USD for Long-Range Radar: Report (AFP, Apr. 29, 1999)

China Builds Taiwan's Airport Copy : Report (AP, Apr. 28, 1999)

China Spying To Impact Future Weapons (Reuters, Apr. 22, 1999)

China Stole Data on Atom Warhead, U.S. Report Finds (New York Times, Apr. 21, 1999)

China's PM Warns Force An Option in Taiwan (CNN, Apr. 20, 1999)

U.S. Going Without Pacific Carrier (Associated Press, Apr. 20, 1999)

White House Tangles With China Now, With Congress Later (New York Times, Apr. 20, 1999).

U.S., China to Try Again to Strike WTO Trade Deal (Reuters, Apr. 19, 1999)

PLA Air Force Building Projects Take Off (South China Morning Post, Apr. 17, 1999)

Clinton Scrambles to Appease Diverse Critics on China (Washington Post, April 15, 1999)

After Criticisms, Clinton Moves to Restart Talks With Chinese (New York Times, Apr. 14, 1999)

Zhu Calls For Better Sino-U.S. Friendship (Reuters, Apr. 12, 1999)

US-Taiwan-PRC Relations Complicated: Copper (CNA, Apr. 12, 1999)

China-US WTO Fizzle Troubling for Taiwan, Jeffrey Parker (Reuters, Apr. 11, 1999)

Taiwan Backs China WTO Bid, But Not at Own Expense (Reuters, Apr. 9, 1999)

Clinton Urges China Foes Not to Stoke a New Cold War (Washington Post, Apr. 8, 1999)

US, China Advance on Trade, Clash on Rights, Spying (Reuters, Apr. 8, 1999)

China Host to ASEAN (BBC, Apr. 4, 1999)

China, U.S. Lack Strategic Glue To Repair Torn Ties ( Reuters, Apr. 2, 1999)

China's 'Secret' Army Grows as PLA Shrinks (The Straits Times, Mar. 29, 1999)

US Senators Push for Increase US Military Cooperation with Taiwan (AFP, Mar. 24, 1999)

Critics Turning Back 20 years of US-China Ties: Daley (AFP, Mar. 31, 1999 )

Taiwan Takes Issue With Carter's Claims (Reuters, Mar. 31, 1999)

Carter Refuses to Apologise to Taiwan for Diplomatic Switch (AFP, Mar. 30, 1999)

Taiwan Embraces Carter 20 years After 'Betrayal' (Reuters, Mar.29, 1999)

DPP Spells Out Proposals for Cross-Taiwan Strait Exchanges (CNA, Mar. 27, 1999)

McCain Says Clinton's Policy On China Damages U.S. Security (Washington Post, Mar. 16, 1999)

House Condemns Chinese Abuses, Fuelling China Controversy (Agence France Presse, Mar. 12, 1999)

U.S., China Strive to Keep Military Ties Steady (Reuters, Mar. 9, 1999)

U.S. Envoy Makes Whirlwind Taiwan Security Visit (Reuters, Mar. 9, 1999)

US Seeks to Nudge Taiwan-China Engagement (Reuters, Mar. 8, 1999)

China Stole Nuclear Secrets From Los Alamos, U.S. Officials Say (New York Times, Mar. 6, 1999)

Taiwan says China Underreports Defense Spending (Reuters, Mar. 4, 1999)

China Army Wins Budget Boost for Business Ban (Reuters, Mar. 4, 1999)

China Threat to US Debated (CNA, Mar. 3, 1999)

U.S. Rebukes China on Rights, Saying It Broke Promises to Clinton (New York Times, Feb. 27, 1999)

China Able to Attack Taiwan by 2005 (Associated Press, Feb. 27, 1999)

China Criticizes US Satellite Snub (Associated Press, Feb. 25, 1999)

Citing Security, U.S. Spurns China on Satellite Deal (New York Times, Feb. 23, 1999)

China: Rocket Curb 'Would Hit US' (Financial Times, Feb. 22 1999)

Former US Secretary for 'Second Track' Taipei-Beijing Dialogue: Report (Agence France Pesse, Feb. 21, 1999)

Taiwan Voices Fears Over Arms Build-Up (Financial Times, Feb. 11, 1999)

Beijing Targets US-Japan Pact (South China Morning Post, Feb.9,1999)

New Taiwan Defence Chief Warns of China Threat (Reuters, Feb. 9, 1999)

AIT Optimistic About Development of Taiwan-US Relations (CNA, Feb. 5, 1999)

KMT Leader Talks About 'New Taiwan Person' Concept (CNA,Feb. 5, 1999)

US Resolution on Taiwan Security Introduced (CNA, Feb. 3, 1999)

CIA Director Says PLA's Modernization Pushes on (CNA, Feb. 3, 1999) 

No 'Taiwan Issue', says Taipei (Reuters, Jan. 30, 1999)

Diplomatic Spat Looms as Taiwan Establishes Ties with Macedonia (CNN, Jan. 27, 1999)

Japan-US defence Axis at Risk if Law Not Passed (AFP, Jan. 27, 1999)

Beijing Seeks to Upgrade Military Weapons (AFP, Jan. 26, 1999)

Beijing blitz: US Congress 'may act' (Reuters, Jan. 22, 1999)

Jiang Decrees Faster Pace for Taiwan Return (SCMP, Jan.19,1999)

Cohen Says Anti-missile System No Threat to China (Reuters, Jan. 14,1999)

China Warns U.S. About Missiles (AP, Jan. 12,1999) 

Washington Ready To Help Japan With Satellites-- Cohen (Reuters, Jan. 11,1999)

Taiwan Pursuit of International Space Result of Democratization (CNA, Jan. 9,1999)

Taiwan Envoy Outlines 4 Expectations of US (CNA, Jan. 9, 1999)

China Suggests U.S. Still a Threat (AP, Jan. 8, 1999)

China to U.S.: Avoid Island Dispute (AP, Jan. 7,1999)

Taiwan Independence Debate Moves On (AP, Jan. 3, 1999)

Majority of Taiwan Citizens Consider Themselves 'New Taiwanese': Poll (CNA, Jan. 2, 1999)