US mission: technology -- not arms -- for China

William Perry undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, will travel to China this month to assess its ability to absorb American high technology, not to discuss possible arms sales. China has expressed interest in radar, aircraft and missile early warning systems, secure embassy communication equipment, helicopter technology, and transport aircraft. US experts believe Peking is more interested in importing high technology than in buying expensive weapons systems. It appears to be trying to modernize the economy first so that in the long run China can manufacture its own modern weapons.