DATE=3/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - TAIWAN - HOLBROOKE  (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260356
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  U-S Ambassador to the United Nations Richard 
Holbrooke is in Beijing for talks that are likely to 
include discussion of the Taiwan presidential 
election.  V-O-A Correspondent Stephanie Mann reports 
from the Chinese capital. 


TEXT:  Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Chinese Vice 
Foreign Minister Wang Guangya held talks today 
(Monday) that were expected to concentrate on United 
Nations business.  

But in remarks at the start of his meeting with Mr. 
Wang, Mr. Holbrooke said he looks forward to 
discussing recent events with Chinese leaders.  The U-
S diplomat did not specifically mention the Taiwan 
election, but he said his visit comes at an 
interesting moment in Sino-American relations because 
of events that have occurred. 

Mr. Holbrooke says his trip was scheduled a long time 
ago for the purpose of talking about U-N issues.  He 
says the United States and China, both permanent 
members of the U-N Security Council, share a desire to 
strengthen the United Nations.

Ambassador Holbrooke is scheduled to meet with Vice 
Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan  
Tuesday, and observers expect the Taiwan election to 
be discussed then.  Mr. Holbrooke arrived in China 
Sunday and had dinner in Shanghai with Major Xu 
Kuangdi.  They discussed economic development issues 
and the Taiwan election.

The Taiwan issue has been a serious irritant in Sino-
U-S relations - with Beijing upset over U-S arms sales 
to the island, and Washington concerned about Chinese 
threats of using force to reunite Taiwan with the 
mainland.  When China lobbed missiles off Taiwan at 
the time of its last election in 1996, the United 
States sent aircraft carrier battle groups to the 
area. 

China is also angered over U-S plans to introduce a 
resolution criticizing China at the annual U-N Human 
Rights Commission meeting which opened Monday in 
Geneva.  Nearly every year for the last decade the 
United States has sponsored such a resolution.  Each 
time, the measure either failed to come to a vote or 
was defeated by Human Rights Commission members.  
The human rights issue is likely to be discussed in 
Ambassador Holbrooke's meetings in Beijing. (Signed)
 
NEB/SMN/FC



20-Mar-2000 02:34 AM EDT (20-Mar-2000 0734 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.