U.S. to sell advanced equipment to China

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 9

U.S. to sell advanced equipment to China

NZPA-Reuter Washingtons The United States has approved the sale to China of a e r i a 1-survey equipment: which has potential military applications and would not; be exported to the Soviet Union, Carter Administration officials have said. The scanning system for aircraft geological mapping which costs 82 SM. is the first sophisticated infra-red equipment sold to China by the United States. The officials said its sale to ’he Soviet Union would not be approved by the Defence Department because the Russians had advanced electronic intelligence systems which could use informotion for the scanner in a

military way. The Chinese did not have.) such sophisticated electronic' intelligence apparatus, the officials said. In Boston, the Boston j "Globe” has reported that! the United States is report-i edlv considering selling 60 F 4 fighter-bombers to Tai-) wan — to help pave the! way for full diplomatic rela-l tions with mainland China. The “Globe" reported in its Sunday editions that the, sale had not yet been ap proved by President Jimmy Carter. When the Communists seized control of China almost 30 years ago. the nationalists fled to Taiwan and set up rule there. The

I status of Taiwan has been a i stumbling block in American) : efforts to establish normal) i relations with China. The “Globe” said that ') ironically the proposed sale) I ;was being looked upon as a means of helping the United •; States move towards full i diplomatic relations with “ Taiwan’s long-time enemy, the Communist Government lof mainland China. 1 It said that Administration! ! i officials felt the weapons! sale would improve Taiwan’s) defence capacity against either an invasion or block-; ; ade by the Communists and' i make it better able to defend r itself should the United i States cut its formal ties! ■ with the island Government, j