Chinese President Begins Israel Visit
Under U.S. pressure to cancel a lucrative arms deal with China, Israel welcomed Chinese President Jiang Zemin on a historic visit Wednesday to the Jewish state, cementing ties forged in secret in the 1980s.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak welcomed Jiang less than 24 hours after meeting with President Clinton, who urged the Israeli leader to cancel the planned sale of a sophisticated airborne surveillance system to China.
Clinton expressed deep displeasure and warned that the deal could undermine Israel’s standing in the U.S., said an Israeli official familiar with the White House talks. The U.S. is concerned that the sale could upset the military balance in Asia.
Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh said Israel is committed to equipping at least one Chinese plane with the surveillance technology.
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