USA: CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGJI VISIT

(7 Apr 1999) Mandarin/Eng/Nat

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning on the first leg of his nine day American tour.

The Premier is hoping to lobby the Clinton administration to allow China's entry into the World Trade Organization and lure American investment to pump up China's slowing economy.

But Zhu's visit comes at a time of tense relations between the Beijing and Washington over a range of issues - issues that were spelled out by protesters on the streets on Los Angeles.

The first Chinese premier to visit the United States in fifteen years touched down in Los Angeles for the first leg of his six city, nine-day tour, on Tuesday.

Premier Zhu Rongji and his wife were greeted by some two hundred Chinese supporters who turned out in the early morning despite the heavy rain.

The crowd greeted China's number two with American and Chinese flags and they appeared jubilant to catch a glimpse and shake the hand of the Premier.

Despite the tense relations between Beijing and Washington, the Chinese Premier still hopes his trip will persuade the Clinton administration to allow China into the World Trade Organization.

One businessman who turned out to support the Premier, believes that Zhu brings the right credentials to the bargaining table over W-T-O admittance.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Approximate Translation
"I think Zhu is an important leader in China who brings competition to Chinese economy so he will have a lot of new ideas to bring to the US about how to make China more competitive and he can discuss potential cooperation with the United States."
SUPERCAPTION: Morgan Wang, Zhu Supporter/Businessman

But not everyone is as supportive.

Dozens of protesters lined the street outside the Century Plaza Hotel where Zhu lunched with local officials.

The protesters are calling on China to improve its record on human rights, to free Tibet and to ease its grip on Taiwan.

Criticism over China's human rights record is bipartisan in the U-S Congress and will likely come up on when Zhu meets President Clinton on Thursday.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, several protesters were adamant that only with progress on human rights should China be allowed into the W-T-O.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"If the W-T-O cannot control the unfair trade and human rights appeals in China it should not have China join the W-T-O. However, they should let Taiwan, a free country, join the W-T-O."
SUPERCAPTION: Ting-Yee Wang, Protester/Businessman

Supporters of independence for Tibet also turned out and plan to organize protests against Zhu throughout his US tour.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well Zhu Rongji, since he is the second most powerful man in China, only he with his moderate ideas and ideologies can bring about some change and differences in policies
in Tibet."
SUPERCAPTION: Tenzing Dhamcho, Tibetan Association of Southern California

While the protests continued outside, Zhu spoke to an audience of local officials and Chinese Americans.

He acknowledged American concerns about human rights violations in China.

And when speaking about plans for the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People's Republic, in a joking manner he referred to allegations that his nation received stolen U-S military secrets.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"There will be a very grand troop review ceremony at which the newest and latest weaponry developed by China itself will be on display, but these weaponries are developed by China itself, not by technology stolen from the United States."
SUPER CAPTION: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji



SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)




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