Bad news for Chen?

National Security Adviser, in Beijing, Offers U.S. Aid in Building Dialogue

U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice met top Chinese leaders Thursday and rebuffed their demands for an end to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a senior U.S. official said. But Rice also told them the Bush administration was willing to help establish a dialogue between Beijing and the self-governing island.

Bad news because his policy seems to be restricted to trying to goad the Chinese into over-reacting, while avoiding substantive talks.