DATE=4/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-TRADE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261041
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  U-S Commerce Secretary William Daley is ending 
the first of two visits to China that he is making 
this month.  VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison says Mr. 
Daley has tried to reassure Chinese leaders that the 
Clinton Administration is doing everything it can to 
win U-S congressional backing of permanent trading 
rights for China in the United States. 

TEXT:  Congressional approval of permanent normal 
trading relations, or P-N-T-R, for China is a crucial 
component of last November's U-S-China trade 
agreement.  As part of the pact, Washington gave a 
green light to (endorsed) Beijing's membership in the 
W-T-O.  P-N-T-R is expected to be approved by the U-S 
Senate, but it faces opposition in the House of 
Representatives, where it has come under fire from 
legislators concerned about China's human rights 
situation as well as the potential loss of U-S jobs 
that the legislation might lead to.  Until now, 
China's trade status has been subject to annual 
reviews.

After meeting with top Chinese leaders, including 
President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji, Mr. 
Daley told reporters the Clinton Administration is 
making every effort to ensure that the vote in the 
lower house, six weeks from now, will be successful.

            /// DALEY ACTUALITY ///

      We're working very, very hard.  Our system is 
      such that the Executive Branch does not 
      guarantee this, but we are confident that, when 
      the people see the benefits to P-N-T-R, the 
      Congress will pass it.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Daley says the pledges China has made to open its 
market to U-S goods and services should answer some of 
the concerns of wavering American lawmakers.  The 
Commerce Secretary will be returning to China next 
week with at least 15 legislators who are still 
undecided how to vote.

            /// 2nd DALEY ACTUALITY ///

      This vote is about the overall relationship, not 
      just the economic relationship with China.  The 
      commitments made under the W-T-O agreement are 
      rather substantial, and we believe -- strongly 
      believe -- that the continuing opening and 
      change will help not only the economic 
      relationship but the other relationships and 
      political issues like human rights that are 
      important.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Chinese Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng says 
Beijing is emphasizing the importance of winning 
permanent low-tariff status in the United States.

            /// SHI ACTUALITY (IN CHINESE) ///

Mr. Shi says the two sides must ensure that the 
November agreement is properly implemented.  That, he 
says, is China's main goal.

Mr. Daley is also urging China to deregulate the 
Internet.  In a speech to a conference on electronic 
commerce, he gently chided Beijing for maintaining 
strict control over the flow of online information, 
saying the Internet's success in the United States has 
been due to minimal government regulation.

            /// DALEY ACTUALITY ///

      Some people believe we should try to control the 
      Internet by restricting access to content, 
      licensing providers of information, or 
      registering users.  I believe that, by 
      empowering people, by giving them access to 
      information from all over the world, by allowing 
      them almost instant access to customers, 
      contacts and clients from all over the world, we 
      allow them to unlock their own individual 
      potential.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Daley says Chinese citizens could use the power of 
the Internet to create new products and new services 
that will benefit not only themselves but also their 
clients.  He says governments should encourage use of 
the Internet instead of trying to limit it.  (Signed) 

NEB/RW/FC/KL



07-Apr-2000 06:58 AM EDT (07-Apr-2000 1058 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.