DATE=9/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - JIANG (L WRAP)
NUMBER=2-253732
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=AUCKLAND
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  U-S officials say U-S - Chinese ties are back 
on track following a meeting between President Clinton 
and his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, in New 
Zealand Saturday.  Relations had fallen to a new low 
after the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade 
in May.  Correspondent Deborah Tate has more from 
Auckland.

Text:  U-S National Security Advisor Sandy Berger 
described the talks - the first between the two 
presidents since the embassy bombing - as friendly and 
productive.

            // BERGER ACTUALITY //

      I would consider the relationship between our 
      two countries back on track, with many 
      challenges still facing us.

            // END ACT //

Among those challenges: Taiwan and trade.

China's threat to use force against Taiwan, which 
Beijing considers a renegade province, has been a 
source of concern to Washington.  Mr. Jiang, speaking 
through a translator, indicated the position remains 
firm.

            // JIANG ACTUALITY //

      If there were to be a Taiwan independence, then 
      we would not undertake to renounce the use of 
      force.

            // END ACT //

Mr. Jiang also repeated Beijing's opposition to U-S 
arms sales to Taiwan, according to National Security 
Advisor Berger.


For his part, Mr. Clinton urged China to resolve 
differences with Taiwan through peaceful dialogue - 
warning Mr. Jiang there would be `grave consequences' 
if Beijing resorted to force against the island.  The  
U-S President also said the United States would 
continue to abide by the Taiwan Relations Act, which 
allows for sales of defensive weapons to Taiwan in 
certain circumstances.

At the same time, Mr. Clinton reiterated the U-S one-
China policy, which recognizes China, not Taiwan, as a 
sovereign state.

            // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

      My message is that our policy has not and will 
      not change.  We favor one China.  We favor a 
      peaceful approach to working out the 
      differences.  We favor the cross-strait 
      dialogue(between Taipei & Beijing).  Our policy 
      has not changed and it will not change.

            // END ACT //

Mr. Clinton did acknowledge that a statement by 
Taiwan's president Lee Teng-hui earlier this year that 
Taiwan's relations with China were state-to-state in 
nature had made things more difficult for both Beijing 
and Washington.

The U-S and Chinese presidents appeared more 
optimistic about trade - expressing hope that a deal 
could be reached for China's entry into the World 
Trade Organization.  They instructed their trade 
representatives to meet as early as Sunday here in 
Auckland to resume trade talks that broke off after 
the embassy bombing.  (signed)

NEB/DAT/JO



11-Sep-1999 08:12 AM EDT (11-Sep-1999 1212 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.