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
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