China Not Ready to Be Advocate for Peace, Panel Says

Despite its rising power and wealth, China may not be willing or ready to play a responsible role in an international system aimed at encouraging peace and stability, a commission set up by Congress said in a report released yesterday.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission accused China of failing "to meet the threshold test of international responsibility in the area of non-proliferation" by aiding Iran's nuclear, missile and chemical programs and refusing to effectively use its leverage to bring North Korea back into nuclear arms negotiations.

It said China in recent years has allowed the transfer of weapons and technology across its territory from North Korea to Iran and even if Beijing wanted to control such transfers, this would be very difficult.

Beijing's adherence to World Trade Organization obligations remains "spotty and halting" five years after it attained membership, while its hunt for oil and gas holdings overseas could "substantially affect U.S. energy security," the report added.

This is the fourth report of the commission, created by Congress in 2000 to examine the national security implications of the trade and economic relationship between China and the United States. The commission has been controversial because of concerns its members tend to be overly critical of China.