DATE=8/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US-CHINA RELATIONS (L-0)
NUMBER=2-266001
BYLINE=JANICE BERLINER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  A high-ranking Chinese official says relations 
between the United States and Beijing are back on 
track after last year's U-S bombing of the Chinese 
embassy in Belgrade.  The assessment comes from Zhao 
Qizheng of China's Minister of State Council 
Information Office who is touring the United States.  
V-O-A's Janice Berliner reports on Mr. Zhao's remarks 
to reporters in Washington Wednesday.


TEXT:  Minister Zhao is visiting the United States in 
an effort to improve relations between the two 
nations, especially after the United States bombed 
China's embassy in Yugoslavia in May of last year.  He 
told reporters in Washington that contrary to 
suspicions in the United States, his government did  
not  foment the anti-U-S demonstrations in Beijing and 
other Chinese cities following the bombing.

And in any case, he adds through an interpreter, it is 
time for U-S / Chinese relations to return to normal.

            /// ZHAO INTERPRETER ACT ///

      If we look back at history, we can see U-S / 
      Chinese relations have gone through many twists 
      and turns.  And although there are serious 
      disagreements, that relationship will become 
      friendlier . Because the relations between us 
      should become sturdy and long lasting like 
      redwood trees.

            /// END ACT ///

Even so, Mr. Zhao says there are several issues that 
could cause trouble between the two countries.

            /// ZHAO ACT TWO ///

      There have been many differences of opinion, 
      some serious stumbling blocks -- the trade 
      imbalance, the Dalai Lama, Taiwan, human rights. 

            /// END ACT ///

Among those listening to the Chinese official was a 
former U-S Ambassador to China, James Sasser, who said 
later it was above all important to avoid a conflict 
with Beijing over Taiwan.

            /// SASSER ACT ///

      I think most Americans and certainly Americans 
      in positions of leadership -- that is a 
      President, a vice president, a secretary of 
      state -- see no reason for there to be conflict 
      between the mainland and Taiwan.  We all believe 
      that this is an issue that over time can be 
      resolved in a peaceable fashion and resolved in 
      a way that will be in the best interest of all 
      the parties involved.

            /// END ACT ///

Another issue mentioned by Mr. Zhao was the huge 
bilateral trade deficit between the United States and 
China.  The Chinese official said Beijing hoped to 
solve the situation but had a problem with buying more 
American-made goods.

            /// ZHAO INTERPRETER ACT THREE ///

      China is willing to help shrink the trade 
      deficit because we'd like to buy more jets from 
      Boeing and buy more American computers.

            /// END ACT ///


But Mr. Zhao said his country worries about buying 
such high-tech goods because the United States could 
impose trade boycotts and prevent it from getting 
spare parts - a problem he says China does  not have 
with Europe.   (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/JP




30-Aug-2000 17:19 PM LOC (30-Aug-2000 2119 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.