China called on the United States on Tuesday to respect a demand that it set a deadline to withdraw troops from Central Asia. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Central Asian nations took part in anti-terrorist activity after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but "now the situation has changed." China, Russia and four Central Asian nations last week jointly called on the United States to set a date to withdraw forces from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. "The Chinese side understands the wish of the Central Asian countries and we believe their wish should merit attention and respect," Liu was quoted as saying at a regular news briefing.
