DATE=5/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA TRADE - DISSIDENTS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262534
BYLINE=CANDACE WILLIAMS
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:	Dozens of Chinese dissidents have rallied in 
Washington to protest U-S efforts to extend permanent 
trade privileges to China.  V-O-A's Candace Williams 
has more on the demonstration, which comes one week 
before the House of Representatives is scheduled to 
vote on the controversial bill. 

TEXT:	About 60 Chinese exiles marched across the 
grounds of the U-S Capitol, carrying a 30-meter chain 
with black ribbons to symbolize what they say is 
political and religious repression in China. 

One demonstrator was Chris Wu, who was jailed for 12 
years in China for his pro-democracy activities. Mr. 
Wu believes permanent trade privileges could give 
China the financial means to buy weapons to use 
against Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade 
province.

            /// WU ACT ///

If they make a lot of money, they will buy the hi-tech 
arms to harm Taiwan and the peace of the Asia-Pacific 
region. Don't pass this P-N-T-R.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Wu says political differences between China and 
Taiwan must be resolved before the trade privileges 
can be extended to China.

Several U-S lawmakers took part in the protest, 
including House Minority Whip David Bonior.  The 
Michigan Democrat opposes extending permanent normal 
trade relations, or P-N-T-R, to China, because he says 
the Beijing government does not respect human rights 
or the rule of law.

            /// BONIOR ACT ///

      Will the China trade deal make China a freer, 
      fairer, more democratic nation? I don't think 
      so.  But don't take my word for it; just ask 
      these dissidents and exiles - these heroes here 
      today.  Ask that, and what they'll tell you is 
      that while this trade deal may lift tariffs, it 
      won't pry open the door to a single prison cell.

            /// END ACT ///

President Clinton believes a "yes" vote for P-N-T-R 
would help reduce tensions along the Taiwan Strait and 
encourage the democratic process in China.  The 
president has made P-N-T-R an essential part of U-S 
integration with China and says the deal could improve 
U-S business access to the world's most populous 
nation. 

But critics say the market-opening deal does not take 
into account China's human rights record and history 
of labor abuses.  They also are concerned the measure 
will cost U-S workers jobs.

            /// REST OPT ///

Passage of the trade bill would end annual reviews of 
China's trade status and guarantee Chinese goods the 
same low-tariff access to U-S markets as products from 
nearly every other nation. It would also clear the way 
for China's entry into the World Trade Organization.

On Wednesday, key House and Senate committees 
overwhelmingly endorsed legislation in support of the 
deal.

The full House of Representatives votes on the issue 
next week, and supporters and opponents of P-N-T-R say 
the vote is too close to call.  The Senate is expected 
to take up the issue in June. (Signed)

NEB/CAW/ENE/gm



18-May-2000 14:59 PM EDT (18-May-2000 1859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.