A U.S. official here said he is concerned about Russian arms deliveries as part of China's military modernization program. They reflect a relationship between Russia and China that we need to keep an eye on. In 1994, China purchased four Russian diesel-powered Kilo submarines, which the U.S. Navy considers advanced and difficult to detect. Russian technicians also have been spotted by U.S. intelligence agencies assisting China's program to build land-attack cruise missiles, similar to the U.S. Tomahawk. Russian scientists also are reportedly assisting China's development of laser weapons, space-based weapons, and nuclear submarines.
China also plans to use Russia's satellite navigation system for missile guidance.
Defense Secretary William S. Cohen arrived here yesterday to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Chi Haotian. The issue of Chinese weapons exports will be discussed, defense officials said. Official Chinese spokesmen yesterday attacked U.S. plans for a national missile defense, calling it part of American plans to dominate the world. Mr. Cohen said earlier he will tell the Chinese military that the limited U.S. national missile defense will not pose a threat to China's small strategic nuclear arsenal. Disclosure of Russia's completion of the new cruise-missile destroyer comes as Congress is set to debate legislation to punish Moscow for those sales.