DATE=3/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US (L)
NUMBER=2-260719
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S National Security Advisor Sandy Berger is
in Beijing for talks with top Chinese leaders at a
time when Sino/U-S relations are at what Chinese
officials describe as a critical juncture. VOA
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Berger's
visit comes amid a spat between the two countries over
human rights and a testy debate in the U-S Congress
over China's trade status.
TEXT: Although Mr. Berger's visit to Beijing has been
scheduled for some time and is part of a series of
exchanges between top U-S and Chinese officials,
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan left no doubt that he
considers Mr. Berger's presence in Beijing crucial.
Mr. Tang called Mr. Berger an old friend who has
played a positive role every time ties between the two
countries reach a critical stage. And he added that
the Sino/U-S relationship is now at a critical
juncture.
Premier Zhu Rongji picked up on the same theme when he
met with Mr. Berger, saying the U-S official has made
what he called remarkable contributions to the
relationship. And he, too, described Sino/U-S ties as
being at a critical juncture.
Mr. Berger also met with China's top foreign policy
expert, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, who told the U-S
envoy there should be more stability and less twists
and turns in Sino/U-S relations.
Mr. Berger, who will meet on Thursday with Chinese
President Jiang Zemin, is the second top U-S official
to visit Beijing since Taiwan elected Chen Shui-bian
as its new president. Mr. Chen's victory sparked
fears of new tensions between China and the United
States, but Beijing has adopted a wait-and-see policy
toward the island's new leader. In the run-up to the
election, it threatened military action against Taiwan
if voters chose Mr. Chen, whose party espouses formal
independence. Mr. Chen has backed away from that
position and has sought to defuse tensions across the
Taiwan Strait. China considers Taiwan a wayward
province.
China is angry at continued U-S arms sales to the
island and is worried about legislation in the U-S
Congress that would strengthen ties between the U-S
and Taiwanese military establishments. The Clinton
administration opposes such legislation.
Taiwan is not the only issue on Mr. Berger's plate.
His visit comes as Washington is preparing to censure
China at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in
Geneva, an effort Beijing decries as hypocritical and
irresponsible, as well as interference in its internal
affairs.
Mr. Berger was also expected to brief Chinese leaders
on the status of the Clinton Administration's push in
Congress to obtain permanent normal trade status for
China. The measure has run up against significant
opposition in the House of Representatives. (signed)
NEB/RW/FC
29-Mar-2000 06:12 AM EDT (29-Mar-2000 1112 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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