April 14, 1999
Web posted at: 2:09 p.m. EDT (1809 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 14) -- After a 20-minute telephone conversation, President Bill Clinton and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji agreed to quickly resume negotiations designed to win U.S. backing for China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the White House said Tuesday.

Zhu has criticized Clinton for, in Beijing's view, backing away from a deal because of the sensitive U.S. political climate on issues relating to trade and China. He said he was disappointed that last week's official visit to the White House did not yield a deal. The two leaders talked by phone while Zhu was visiting New York.

"During the conversation, they agreed that both sides should move intensively on negotiations toward resolution of the remaining issues in their talks on China's accession to the WTO," the joint communique said. "They have agreed to have negotiations continue by the end of the month in Beijing."

The announcement came as the administration rebutted congressional criticism of its failure to complete a trade deal and open China's vast market to U.S. exporters during Zhu's visit.

U.S. trade representative Charlene Barshefsky told a Senate hearing earlier that WTO membership for China would "open up new opportunities to American farm families, working people in businesses and ensure stronger protection for Americans against unfair trade."

"We will re-engage with the Chinese shortly ... and work on each of the issues that are open to bring this full agreement to closure," Barshefsky told members of the Senate Finance Committee.

In an interview on Tuesday with CNN's Judy Woodruff, Zhu said he is confident Beijing will gain WTO membership within the year. He characterized his current visit as a "friendly" diplomatic mission that "bodes well for a continuing, progressive development in U.S.-China relations."

"I feel that our work is in the final stages now, so through our joint efforts we will be able to achieve an agreement," he said.

He said the business leaders he has met with have indicated such a deal might come within two to three months -- but the smiling premier said he would "rather see it in another two weeks time."

Zhu's visit comes during tense U.S.-Sino relations. U.S. officials in recent months have accused China of stealing top-secret information from nuclear labs to enhance Beijing's nuclear arsenal -- allegations that have sparked intense CIA, FBI and Department of Energy investigations as well as heated congressional hearings.

Zhu said he had spoken with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and top military leaders about allegations of Chinese espionage and they assured him Beijing did not steal U.S. nuclear secrets.

"If you want to investigate, we will be willing to assist," Zhu said.

Washington also has pressed Beijing on human rights issues. Zhu also acknowledged China has human rights "deficiencies" and is working to improve those conditions -- but "we still have a long way to go."

"We do acknowledge that we have deficiencies in the area of human rights, but at the same time we would also say that the people in China are enjoying a level of human rights that is unprecedented in our history," Zhu said.

"China is constantly improving its human rights situation but at the same time we still have a long way to go and we must continue to improve in this area," he said.

"You have to bear in mind that we do have the burden of 2,000 years of traditional thinking and this has affected the psychology of our people."

CNN's John King and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, April 14, 1999

• Quayle formally kicks off 2000 bid
• Clinton offers $300 tax credit plan
• Starr: Independent Counsel Act should not be renewed
• Adviser: Clinton may not challenge contempt citation
• U.S., China agree to quickly resume trade talks
• Elizabeth Dole touts foreign policy credentials at Naval Academy
• Government tries to keep Nixon's daughter off witness stand
• House OKs $1.74 trillion budget for 2000
• Congress moves on flag desecration constitutional amendment
• Refugees tell harrowing tales to Senate panel
• IRS finds no evidence of widespread violation of taxpayer rights
• Bush to collect backing of four Iowa congressmen
• Teens favor heavily advertised cigarettes

ARCHIVES