DATE=3/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246658
TITLE=U-S CHINA ECON (L-ONLY)
(RPT)
BYLINE=BARRY WOOD
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES PROGRESS IS BEING
MADE IN PROTRACTED NEGOTIATIONS FOR CHINA TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION (W-T-O). V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THIS WAS THE
SUBJECT DURING A U-S SENATE FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE TRADE HEARING
MONDAY.
TEXT: THE U-S NEGOTIATOR FOR AGRICULTURAL TRADE SAYS PROGRESS IS
BEING MADE IN CHINA'S EFFORTS TO GAIN MEMBERSHIP IN THE W-T-O.
PETER SCHER TOLD THE SUB-COMMITTEE THAT CHINA UNDERSTANDS THAT,
IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY, IT MUST OPEN ITS AGRICULTURAL MARKET TO
IMPORTS. MR. SCHER SAYS MORE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAN IN THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS.
OTHER WITNESSES WERE SKEPTICAL OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S
CHINA POLICY AS THE HEARING TOOK PLACE AMID GROWING CONTROVERSY
OVER CHINA'S ALLEGED THEFT OF U-S NUCLEAR SECRETS.
GREG MASTEL OF THE ECONOMIC STRATEGY INSTITUTE WARNED THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION MAY EASE ITS TOUGH STAND ON CHINA'S W-T-O
ACCESSION SO THAT IT CAN ANNOUNCE A BREAKTHROUGH DURING PREMIER
ZHU RONJI'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON NEXT MONTH. MR. MASTEL SAID
CHINA HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE ITS MANAGED ECONOMY CONFORMS
WITH W-T-O FREE TRADE PRINCIPLES.
//MASTEL ACT//
A QUICK POLITICAL DEAL IN TIME FOR AN APRIL MEETING IS
LIKELY TO SET BACK THE CAUSE OF FREE MARKET REFORM AND
FREE TRADE IN CHINA, HARM U-S INTERESTS AND UNDERMINE
THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM.
//END ACT//
MR. MASTEL SAYS CHINA HAS BEEN NOTORIOUSLY SLOW IN STRENGTHENING
ITS TRADE LAWS AND MAKING SURE IMPORTED GOODS ARE TREATED FAIRLY.
OTHER WITNESSES SPOKE OF CHINA'S USE OF SPECIAL TAXES -- IN
VIOLATION OF W-T-O RULES -- TO KEEP OUT IMPORTED MEAT. THEY SAID
CHINA CONTINUES TO BREAK ITS PAST COMMITMENTS ON BOOSTING IMPORTS
AND IS RELUCTANT TO ENACT NEW LAWS TO ASSURE FAIR TREATMENT OF
IMPORTS. CHINA HAS BEEN SEEKING TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADING AGENCY
FOR OVER 10 YEARS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JO
15-Mar-99 6:46 PM EST (2346 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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