Beijing warns Israel of deterioration of relations
Israel-China, Politics, 12/21/2001

China on Wednesday warned Israel of the deterioration of their bilateral relations if a:satisfactory arrangement will not be made to settle the dispute resulting from Israel's canceling a deal provided for selling Radar planes to Beijing in 2000.

The spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry Zang Kue said replying to a question about this canceled deal:" we hope that countries concerned are to shoulder the responsibility and to propose satisfactory solution for the Chinese side in order not to undermine relations between China and these countries."

However, the Israeli press had stated that China asked for " very heavy compensations" after the former Israeli prime minister for the labor party Ehud Barak in 2000 canceled a deal for selling Israeli radar planes of " Falcon" type at the request of the US.

The Americans had opposed this deal on the ground that these planes might constitute a threat to the security of its warship in case they will be in a mission of defending Taiwan.

A statement issued by the Israeli ministry of defense on December 17 stressed Israel has recently started talks with the Chinese government in order to eliminate the misunderstanding in the bilateral relations through settling the " Falcon planes" issue by arrangements to be agreed upon by the two sides." For her part Zang refused to assert the Israeli press information. She said " we consider that the agreements or protocols signed among countries should be honored. These are the main base for the relations between one country and the other." However, the abrogation of the deal made a distance in the relations between Beijing and Tel Aviv.

Falcon is a Russian transport plane of "Elusion " - 76 type provided with an early warning radar. Its total value is estimated at USD 250 million. The deal had included the possibility of buying four similar planes.

Previous Stories:
  US aid for Israel if it abrogates planes deal with China   (7/4/2000)
  On Israeli- Chinese relations   (4/11/2000)
  Israel to strengthen economic and trade relations with China   (3/1/2000)

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