DATE=4/26/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-U-S/TRADE VISIT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261733
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  U-S Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman is 
leading a delegation of congressmen on a trip through 
China to help gain support for a landmark trade 
agreement.  As V-O-A's Leta Hong Fincher reports from 
Beijing, Mr. Glickman says China's entry into the 
World Trade Organization will help improve the 
country's human rights situation.


TEXT:  Agriculture Secretary Glickman says the 
upcoming vote in the U-S House of Representatives on 
trade with China will be very close, and will require 
more lobbying efforts from the American business 
community here.  Mr. Glickman addressed the American 
Chamber of Commerce in Beijing Wednesday.  He warned 
rejecting permanent normal trade relations with China, 
or P-N-T-R, would aggravate tensions between the 
nation with the world's largest economy and the nation 
with the world's biggest population.

            /// GLICKMAN ACT ///

      This bill, P-N-T-R, is one of the most important 
      decisions facing the Congress and the nation 
      this year.  Passing it will allow the United 
      States to be a constructive partner for China as 
      it slowly but inevitably moves toward greater 
      social, political and economic freedom.  
      Rejecting it could badly fracture the bilateral 
      relationship.

            /// END ACT ///

/// OPT ///  Mr. Glickman is leading a delegation that 
includes two members of the House of Representatives 
who support permanent normal trade relations -- Norman 
Dicks of Washington and Greg Walden of Oregon.  Two 
other House members on the trip -- Reuben Hinojosa of 
Texas and Gregory Meeks of New York -- are undecided.  
Also in the delegation is North Dakota governor Ed 
Schafer, representing 44 American state governors who 
support the trade agreement.  /// END OPT ///

The U-S delegation arrives in Beijing on the heels of 
(EDS: after) a major Chinese government crackdown on 
the Falun Gong spiritual movement.  About 100 Falun 
Gong protesters were arrested in Tiananmen Square 
Tuesday as they marked the first anniversary of a mass 
sit-in to demand recognition of their group.

Mr. Glickman says the Clinton administration has 
serious concerns about the crackdown.  But he argues 
that the best way to improve human rights and 
religious freedom in China is to enhance trade ties 
with the country.

            /// GLICKMAN ACT ///

      By maintaining a commercial presence in China, 
      we expose the Chinese people not just to 
      American products, but to American values.  By 
      promoting free markets, we lessen dependence on 
      the state.  By helping build a more open Chinese 
      economy, we inevitably help build a more open 
      Chinese society.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Glickman and his group are also touring a training 
facility run by the U-S electronics manufacturer, 
Motorola, and meeting with Chinese government 
officials to discuss agricultural trade.   (SIGNED)

NEB/LHF/FC/JP




26-Apr-2000 05:46 AM EDT (26-Apr-2000 0946 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.