DATE=4/1/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247535
TITLE=CHINA VISIT (L)
BYLINE=ALISHA RYU
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  CHINESE OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON HAVE CONFIRMED THAT 
PREMIER ZHU RONGJI WILL VISIT THE UNITED STATES NEXT WEEK AS 
SCHEDULED.  AS V-O-A'S ALISHA RYU REPORTS, MR. ZHU'S VISIT -- THE
FIRST BY A CHINESE PREMIER IN 15 YEARS -- COMES DURING A TIME OF 
ESCALATING TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

TEXT:  CHINA'S OPPOSITION TO THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA HAD 
THREATENED TO POSTPONE PREMIER ZHU'S APRIL 6TH VISIT TO THE 
UNITED STATES.  BUT THURSDAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CHINESE EMBASSY
IN WASHINGTON SAID PREMIER ZHU WAS READY TO FACE THE CHALLENGES 
OF WHAT MANY BELIEVE WILL BE A DIFFICULT VISIT.

THE SPOKESMAN, LIU XIAMING, ADMITTED RECENT TENSIONS OVER HUMAN 
RIGHTS, ALLEGED CHINESE NUCLEAR SPYING, AND DISAGREEMENTS OVER 
YUGOSLAVIA AND IRAQ HAVE PUT A SEVERE STRAIN ON THE RELATIONSHIP.

BUT HE SAYS CHINA IS USED TO PERIODIC STORMS BETWEEN WASHINGTON 
AND BEIJING.  MR. LIU INSISTS DIFFERENCES SHOULD NOT GET IN THE 
WAY OF ESTABLISHING A LONG-TERM DIALOGUE.

                        // 1ST LIU ACT //

         PREMIER ZHU IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN COMMUNICATING.  HE WILL
         NOT AVOID ANY CHALLENGES.  HE DOES NOT THINK HIS VISIT 
         WILL BE AN EASY ONE BUT HE'S READY TO TAKE CHALLENGES.

                          // END ACT //

A PRIORITY FOR THE PREMIER DURING HIS NINE-DAY VISIT WILL BE TO 
OBTAIN U-S BACKING FOR CHINA TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE 
ORGANIZATION.

DESPITE WEEKS OF FURIOUS NEGOTIATIONS IN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING, 
MR. LIU SAYS WIDE DIFFERENCES STILL REMAIN OVER TRADE BARRIERS 
AND TARIFFS ON IMPORTED GOODS.

                        // 2ND LIU ACT //

         CERTAIN PEOPLE IN CERTAIN SECTORS HAVE SOME UNREALISTIC 
         CONCERNS.  MAYBE SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE MORE 
         PRESSURE THEY EXERT, THE MORE CONCESSIONS THEY WILL 
         GAIN.  IF THAT IS THE MENTALITY, THAT IS WRONG.

                          // END ACT //

// OPT // MR. LIU SAYS THE PREMIER WILL ALSO PROTEST A U-S 
RESOLUTION CIRCULATING AT THE ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS 
COMMISSION MEETINGS IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.  THE RESOLUTION 
CRITICIZES CHINA FOR IMPOSING LONG PRISON SENTENCES FOR MEMBERS 
OF A BANNED DEMOCRACY PARTY. // END OPT //   

OVERALL, HOWEVER, MR. LIU SAYS OFFICIALS EXPECT THE PREMIER'S 
FIRST VISIT TO BE CORDIAL AND PRODUCTIVE.

PREMIER ZHU -- SCHEDULED TO MEET PRESIDENT CLINTON ON APRIL 8TH 
--- WILL HOLD TALKS WITH VICE PRESIDENT GORE AND MEMBERS OF 
CONGRESS, AS WELL AS BUSINESS AND UNIVERSITY LEADERS IN LOS 
ANGELES, NEW YORK, CHICAGO, BOSTON AND DENVER. (SIGNED)

NEB/AR/JO

         

01-Apr-99 5:04 PM EST (2204 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.