DATE=1/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / U-S / HUMAN RIGHTS (L)
NUMBER=2-258024
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Beijing says a U-S decision to sponsor a resolution 
criticizing Chinese human-rights policy at an annual United 
Nations forum is doomed to failure.  V-O-A's Stephanie Ho 
reports this is not the first time China has faced 
international criticism for its human rights record.

TEXT:  Since the harsh Chinese Government crackdown on 
student demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989, global 
debate over the human rights situation in China has become 
an annual event.

At a regular briefing Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry 
Spokesman Zhu Bangzao defended Beijing's human rights 
record, saying Chinese people enjoy an unprecedented level 
of fundamental freedoms.  Mr. Zhu -- speaking through an 
interpreter -- said his government rejects Washington's 
latest criticisms.

            // ZHU / INTERPRETER ACTUALITY //

United States side has taken all excuses to make unwarranted 
accusations of China in the name of human rights, in the 
name of so-called human rights question.  This is totally 
without reason and has ulterior motives.

            // END ACTUALITY //

Mr. Zhu urged the United States to correct what he called 
the erroneous decision to sponsor a resolution critical of 
China at the U-N Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva 
in March.

International efforts over the last decade to officially 
censure China at the annual U-N meeting have not succeeded -
- a point referred to by Mr. Zhu.

            // ZHU / INTERPRETER ACTUALITY //

If the U-S side sticks to this position, it will only lead 
to another failure.

            // END ACTUALITY //

In announcing the U-S decision, State Department Spokesman 
James Rubin said it was motivated by restrictions on freedom 
of speech, dissent and religion in China.

Still, he indicated Washington is attempting to separate 
human rights from the issue of trade.  Despite U-S criticism 
of China's human rights record, Mr. Rubin says Washington 
still intends to fight for congressional approval for 
permanent normal trading relations for China.  The United 
States must grant this trade status to Beijing, if it wants 
to enjoy the benefits of the deal it negotiated with China 
to join the World Trade Organization.  (signed)

NEB/HO/WD




13-Jan-2000 04:53 AM EDT (13-Jan-2000 0953 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.