DATE=3/26/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247235
TITLE=CLINTON / CHINA (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT CHINESE PREMIER ZHU 
RONGJI WILL PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES NEXT MONTH
AND MEET PRESIDENT CLINTON APRIL 8TH. TRADE ISSUES WILL BE HIGH  
ON THE AGENDA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE 
HOUSE.

TEXT: THE MEETING WILL BE THE HIGHEST-LEVEL U-S/CHINESE DIALOGUE 
SINCE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT TO CHINA LAST JUNE. 

IT COMES AMID EXPECTATIONS THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES MAY FINALLY BE 
CLOSE TO CONCLUDING A LANDMARK TRADE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD CUT 
CHINESE TARIFFS ON U-S FARM AND MANUFACTURED GOODS, AND OPEN THE 
WAY TO CHINA'S ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.

SUCCESSIVE U-S ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE SOUGHT REDUCTIONS OF CHINESE 
TRADE BARRIERS AND NEWS REPORTS SAY NEGOTIATORS HOPE TO HAVE A  
DRAFT DEAL IN HAND BY THE TIME OF MR. ZHU'S ARRIVAL. HOWEVER 
BRIEFING REPORTERS HERE, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART MADE 
CLEAR THE WHITE HOUSE WILL NOT BE PRESSURED INTO A DEAL THAT DOES
NOT UPHOLD U-S INTERESTS:

                    ///LOCKHART ACTUALITY///

         CHINA ALREADY ENJOYS MUCH OF THE OPENNESS OF THE U-S 
         MARKET WITHOUT RECIPROCITY. BUT WE NEED A GOOD DEAL. AND
         THAT'S WHAT SO MANY PAST ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE WORKED ON 
         AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON. WE WANT A GOOD DEAL. 
         WE WON'T TAKE ANYTHING SHORT OF A GOOD DEAL.

                       ///END ACTUALITY///

THE PREMIER'S VISIT COMES AMID CHARGES -- DENIED BY CHINA -- THAT
IT STOLE NUCLEAR WARHEAD SECRETS FROM THE UNITED STATES IN THE 
1980'S, AND CONTINUED CONGRESSIONAL CRITICISM OF CHINA'S HUMAN 
RIGHTS RECORD.

OFFICIALS HERE SAY BOTH ISSUES ARE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED IN MR. 
ZHU'S TALKS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, ALONG WITH SECURITY ON THE 
KOREAN PENINSULA, WEAPONS PROLIFERATION AND THE ASIAN FINANCIAL 
CRISIS.

THE CHINESE PREMIER WILL VISIT FIVE U-S CITIES IN ADDITION TO 
WASHINGTON AND WILL CHAIR -- WITH VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE -- A 
MEETING OF THE U-S/CHINA FORUM ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/JO

26-Mar-99 2:45 PM EST (1945 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.