DATE=4/26/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-U-S/TRADE VISIT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261733
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman is
leading a delegation of congressmen on a trip through
China to help gain support for a landmark trade
agreement. As V-O-A's Leta Hong Fincher reports from
Beijing, Mr. Glickman says China's entry into the
World Trade Organization will help improve the
country's human rights situation.
TEXT: Agriculture Secretary Glickman says the
upcoming vote in the U-S House of Representatives on
trade with China will be very close, and will require
more lobbying efforts from the American business
community here. Mr. Glickman addressed the American
Chamber of Commerce in Beijing Wednesday. He warned
rejecting permanent normal trade relations with China,
or P-N-T-R, would aggravate tensions between the
nation with the world's largest economy and the nation
with the world's biggest population.
/// GLICKMAN ACT ///
This bill, P-N-T-R, is one of the most important
decisions facing the Congress and the nation
this year. Passing it will allow the United
States to be a constructive partner for China as
it slowly but inevitably moves toward greater
social, political and economic freedom.
Rejecting it could badly fracture the bilateral
relationship.
/// END ACT ///
/// OPT /// Mr. Glickman is leading a delegation that
includes two members of the House of Representatives
who support permanent normal trade relations -- Norman
Dicks of Washington and Greg Walden of Oregon. Two
other House members on the trip -- Reuben Hinojosa of
Texas and Gregory Meeks of New York -- are undecided.
Also in the delegation is North Dakota governor Ed
Schafer, representing 44 American state governors who
support the trade agreement. /// END OPT ///
The U-S delegation arrives in Beijing on the heels of
(EDS: after) a major Chinese government crackdown on
the Falun Gong spiritual movement. About 100 Falun
Gong protesters were arrested in Tiananmen Square
Tuesday as they marked the first anniversary of a mass
sit-in to demand recognition of their group.
Mr. Glickman says the Clinton administration has
serious concerns about the crackdown. But he argues
that the best way to improve human rights and
religious freedom in China is to enhance trade ties
with the country.
/// GLICKMAN ACT ///
By maintaining a commercial presence in China,
we expose the Chinese people not just to
American products, but to American values. By
promoting free markets, we lessen dependence on
the state. By helping build a more open Chinese
economy, we inevitably help build a more open
Chinese society.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Glickman and his group are also touring a training
facility run by the U-S electronics manufacturer,
Motorola, and meeting with Chinese government
officials to discuss agricultural trade. (SIGNED)
NEB/LHF/FC/JP
26-Apr-2000 05:46 AM EDT (26-Apr-2000 0946 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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