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
.