DATE=9/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253679
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Presisdent Clinton, preparing to depart for 
the Pacific-Rim summit in New Zealand, says he hopes 
his meeting there with Chinese President Jiang Zemin 
can put the two countries back on a constructive 
course in political and economic relations.  VOA's 
David Gollust reports from the White House.


Text:  Mr. Clinton's meeting with President Jiang 
Saturday in Auckland will be the first top-level 
discussion between the two countries since the 
mistaken U-S bombing of the Chinese embassy in 
Belgrade during the Kosovo conflict, and the recent 
renewal of China-Taiwan tensions.

The United States has given China four-and-a-half 
million dollars in compensation for the embassy 
attack, in which three Chinese nationals were killed 
and 20 others wounded.  In a talk with reporters as he 
prepared to leave for New Zealand, Mr. Clinton made 
clear he would like to see the two sides open a new 
page in their relationship:

            /// Clinton Actuality ///

      We've done our best to do what I think is the 
      honorable and decent thing in the wake of the 
      terrible accident involving the embassy in 
      Belgrade. And we have made it clear in the 
      recent tensions between Taiwan that we still 
      strongly support the one-China policy and the 
      so-called `three no's.'  But we also believe 
      that any differences between them should be 
      resolved in a peaceful manner.  And we feel very 
      strongly about it. And I hope that those things 
      and the passage of time will permit us to resume 
      constructive conversations.

            /// End Act ///

The President said he specifically would like to see 
the resumption, and successful conclusion, of U-
S/Chinese trade talks that would clear the way for 
China's entry in the World Trade Organization.

The talks were near an agreement earlier this year but 
broke down in April as the Administration pushed for 
additional market-opening concessions from China that 
would satisfy Congressional critics of the pending 
deal.

Mr. Clinton said bringing Beijing into the W-T-O 
framework would be good for China, the United States 
and the world economic system.  U-S officials hope an 
agreement can be struck by the end of this month so 
that Beijing can join in a new round global trade 
talks to be launched at December conference in 
Seattle, Washington.

Mr. Clinton also said under questioning that he was 
prepared to raise with President Jiang a State 
Department report issued Thursday that says Chinese 
citizens who engage in unregistered religious activity 
can face harassment and detention. 

The Chinese government denied mistreating citizens 
because of religious beliefs, with a spokesman saying 
that if members of unofficial churches were jailed, it 
was because of criminal activity. (Signed)



NEB/DAG/TVM/PT



09-Sep-1999 20:42 PM LOC (10-Sep-1999 0042 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.