DATE=3/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US (L)
NUMBER=2-260719
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  U-S National Security Advisor Sandy Berger is 
in Beijing for talks with top Chinese leaders at a 
time when Sino/U-S relations are at what Chinese 
officials describe as a critical juncture.  VOA 
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Mr. Berger's 
visit comes amid a spat between the two countries over 
human rights and a testy debate in the U-S Congress 
over China's trade status.  


TEXT:  Although Mr. Berger's visit to Beijing has been 
scheduled for some time and is part of a series of 
exchanges between top U-S and Chinese officials, 
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan left no doubt that he 
considers Mr. Berger's presence in Beijing crucial.

Mr. Tang called Mr. Berger an old friend who has 
played a positive role every time ties between the two 
countries reach a critical stage.  And he added that 
the Sino/U-S relationship is now at a critical 
juncture.

Premier Zhu Rongji picked up on the same theme when he 
met with Mr. Berger, saying the U-S official has made 
what he called remarkable contributions to the 
relationship.  And he, too, described Sino/U-S ties as 
being at a critical juncture.

Mr. Berger also met with China's top foreign policy 
expert, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, who told the U-S 
envoy there should be more stability and less twists 
and turns in Sino/U-S relations.

Mr. Berger, who will meet on Thursday with Chinese 
President Jiang Zemin, is the second top U-S official 
to visit Beijing since Taiwan elected Chen Shui-bian 
as its new president.  Mr. Chen's victory sparked 
fears of new tensions between China and the United 
States, but Beijing has adopted a wait-and-see policy 
toward the island's new leader.  In the run-up to the 
election, it threatened military action against Taiwan 
if voters chose Mr. Chen, whose party espouses formal 
independence.  Mr. Chen has backed away from that 
position and has sought to defuse tensions across the 
Taiwan Strait.  China considers Taiwan a wayward 
province.

China is angry at continued U-S arms sales to the 
island and is worried about legislation in the U-S 
Congress that would strengthen ties between the U-S 
and Taiwanese military establishments.  The Clinton 
administration opposes such legislation.

Taiwan is not the only issue on Mr. Berger's plate.  
His visit comes as Washington is preparing to censure 
China at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 
Geneva, an effort Beijing decries as hypocritical and 
irresponsible, as well as interference in its internal 
affairs.

Mr. Berger was also expected to brief Chinese leaders 
on the status of the Clinton Administration's push in 
Congress to obtain permanent normal trade status for 
China.  The measure has run up against significant 
opposition in the House of Representatives.  (signed) 


NEB/RW/FC 



29-Mar-2000 06:12 AM EDT (29-Mar-2000 1112 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.