NEW YORK, June 22: China has called for a ``constructive strategic partnership'' with the United States and emphasised the need to promote growth in Sino-American relations and understanding between the peoples of the two countries.``The two countries have consulted with each other on a series of major international issues such as promotion of peace stability in Korean peninsula, mitigating the Asian financial crisis and easing tensions in South Asia,'' Chinese President Jiang Zemin told Newsweek.
In an apparent attempt to assuage critics of Clinton's visit to China, Jiang said Beijing intends to sign the Convention on Political and Civils Rights.
He also hinted that China's National People's Congress (parliament) would ratify the United Nations covenant on economic, social and cultural rights which Beijing has already signed.
In an obvious attempt to stress that China is a responsible member of the international community, Jiang said Beijing has contributed ``positively'' to easing of the Asianfinancial crisis.
Stating that it has ``taken risks and paid a price,'' he said this is ``manifested in China's adherence to policy of not devaluing the renminbi (its currency) and its provision of assistance totalling more than four billion dollars to Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Thailand''.
But the weakening of the yen and other currencies, he warned, will inevitably have an impact on China's exports and other economic activities.
Emphasising that China and the US have a ``common interest'' in helping stablise Asian economies, Jiang said there ought to be a common standard as the economies of the world are ``increasingly inter-related''.
``It is inadvisable to commend the efforts of one country for maintaining value of its currency (while) giving tacit approval to another country that devalues the currency,'' he said.
It is necessary for the leaders of major countries to take a long term view and not narrow their vision one event at a time, he added.
The reference was clearly to Japan,the erosion of whose currency yen against dollar would make things difficult for China as its exports would become expensive compared with those of Japan.
This can also force China to devalue its currency whose exchange rate is officially controlled.
Stressing that the weakening of yen and other currencies would have an impact on China's export and other activities, Jiang said China would try its best to sustain economic growth.
``On one hand in terms of the provision of food and clothing, this presents a challenge. But, on the other hand, it is an advantage in terms of the potential size of market,'' he added.
Biggest US Presidential team to China
NEW YORK: More than one thousand cabinet members, high officials, diplomats, advisers, speech writers and rewriters, securitymen, journalists, personal staff and others will accompany US President Bill Clinton when he visits China later this week.This would be the largest team accompanying a US President, ever since Richard Nixon made thehistoric visit to communist China in 1972.
The estimate of the cost is not available but The New York Times says 375 accredited correspondents will spend more than Rs 6,00,000 each for the privilege of reporting Clinton from China. Two hundred of them will travel with Clinton's party and the remaining join him in China.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
