DATE=4/8/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247794
TITLE=CLINTON-CHINA (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGJI OPENED 
TALKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH PROMISES OF CO-OPERATION AND 
INCREASED PARTNERSHIP.  BUT AS CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON 
REPORTS THE MEETING IS TAKING PLACE AT A TIME WHEN THE 
SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONSHIP IS PLAGUED BY STRAIN AND CONTROVERSY.

TEXT:   

        /// OPENS WITH MUSIC FROM WELCOMING CEREMONY /// 

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE PREMIER OF CHINA SENT 
OUT A UNIFIED MESSAGE AS THEY STOOD TOGETHER AT A WELCOMING 
CEREMONY IN THE BRIGHT SUNSHINE.  THEY SAID THERE MAY BE PROBLEMS
IN THE RELATIONSHIP, BUT THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BEIJING AND 
WASHINGTON WILL NOT DIE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON STRUCK A POSITIVE CHORD DURING HIS REMARKS.  HE
SAID THE WHITE HOUSE ARE A CHANCE TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR 
BETTER RELATIONS, AS WELL AS THE DIFFERENCES DIVIDING THEIR TWO 
COUNTRIES.

                       /// CLINTON ACT ///

         AMERICA HAS A STAKE IN CHINA'S SUCCESS.  IN A CHINA THAT
         HAS OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES IT FACES AT HOME, A CHINA 
         THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE INSTITUTIONS THAT PROMOTE 
         GLOBAL NORMS ON PROLIFERATION AND TRADE AND THE 
         ENVIRONMENT, A CHINA THAT RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS AND 
         PROMOTES PEACE.

                         /// END ACT ///

ALL THOSE TOPICS WERE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE CLINTON-ZHU MEETING. 
BUT A NEW DEVELOPMENT JUST HOURS BEFORE THE OFFICIAL ARRIVAL 
CEREMONY COULD CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE TALKS.

A REPORT IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" (THURSDAY) OUTLINED ALLEGATIONS 
OF A SUSPECTED SECOND INCIDENT OF CHINESE ESPIONAGE INVOLVING 
AMERICAN NUCLEAR-WEAPON TECHNOLOGY.  

NEITHER PRESIDENT CLINTON NOR MR. ZHU ADDRESSED THE MATTER 
SPECIFICALLY DURING THEIR WELCOMING REMARKS.  BUT THE CHINESE 
PREMIER SAID THE DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME.

          /// ZHU IN CHINESE - - ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

SPEAKING IN CHINESE WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION, MR. ZHU SAID GOOD 
FRIENDS CAN RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES, BECAUSE THEY CAN SPEAK TO 
EACH OTHER IN A SINCERE AND OPEN WAY.  WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAID
PRESIDENT CLINTON HOPED TO STRIKE SUCH A TONE DURING THE TALKS ON
MATTERS SUCH AS TRADE, AND CHINA'S OPPOSITION TO THE NATO BOMBING
OF YUGOSLAVIA.

IN AN UNUSUAL MOVE, MICROPHONES AND TELEVISION CAMERAS WERE NOT 
LET INTO THE PHOTO SESSION BEFORE THE MEETING.  

ONE REASON MAY BE SIGNALS COMING FROM NEGOTIATIONS ON AN 
AGREEMENT THAT COULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR CHINESE MEMBERSHIP IN THE 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.  IT WAS HOPED ALL DIFFERENCES COULD BE 
BRIDGED BY THE START OF PREMIER ZHU'S VISIT.  A WHITE HOUSE 
SPOKESMAN SAID PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, AND A PARTIAL DEAL COULD 
BE ANNOUNCED AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE DAY.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/PW/LTD/RAE

08-Apr-99 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.