
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 14, 1994                   TAG: 9403140152
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: BEIJING                                LENGTH: Short

U.S. SOFTENS ITS TRADE STAND WITH CHINA

Secretary of State Warren Christopher offered China a compromise plan aimed at ending the yearly struggle over human rights and trade privileges, in an effort to avert a bitter break with the world's fastest growing economy, U.S. officials said Sunday.

Under the proposal, the United States would soften its annual threat to revoke China's favorable trade status because of human rights disagreements. Instead of mandating specific steps, the United States would require Beijing only to show general progress in human rights. For this year, President Clinton has demanded "overall, significant progress" in areas including release of political prisoners, international inspection of prisons and protection of Tibet's religious and cultural heritage.

Christopher's offer represents a significant retreat from Clinton's campaign rhetoric, which included criticism of former President Bush for "coddling dictators" and a threat to revoke China's trade privileges. It also indicates a desire by Washington to find a way to allow American businesses to remain competitive in what is potentially the world's biggest market.

Chinese officials have not responded.

by CNB