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---"Focused Coverage Informed Perspectives"---Thu, Sep 25, 1997 edition

Rubin in Beijing Treasury secretary speaks about Sino-US relations, human rights and economic reforms

Also in this edition . . . 1: Jiang Zemin forms government 2: HK government will defend Legislative Council Ordinance 3: poll reveals concern over self-censorship 4: regional briefs on Burma and Cambodia

CHINA

Robert Rubin: ( Rights a hurdle, says Rubin ) In Beijing today making preparations for next week's summit between Presidents Jiang Zemin and Bill Clinton, US Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin gave a talk at the People's University in Beijing, where he emphasized the importance of strong Sino-US ties for the maintenance of world stability, reports the South China Morning Post. Speaking before an audience of some 200 hand-picked university business students, Mr Rubin took the opportunity to adress his government's concern over human rights. Mr Rubin called on China to 'embrace' rights "that are universal," the paper quotes him. Mr Rubin said the question would remain important to Sino-US relations. Based on the paper's coverage, Mr Rubin sounded frank and open, stating that these values represented those of the United States and that the best way for the US to advance its interests was to maintain an open dialogue on the issue Mr Rubin's tact seams to dovetail overtures made by Beijing in recent weeks, as both it and Washington would appear willing to 'agree to disagree' for the time being as they recognize a wider context in which to develop their relationship and discuss issues. Mr Rubin also praised the recently announced reform of the state-owned enterprise system, and he listed seven trouble spots in the economy. As the paper writes, He laid out a seven-point list of economic challenges facing China: enhancing competition, strengthening financial markets, increasing the free flow of information, combating corruption, improving the rule of law, expanding market transparency and increasing openness and integration into the global economy. ( Rubin tells China to cut reserves, open up economy ) CNN has a story on Mr Rubin's trip, adding some additional information. The report says, Mr Rubin 'preached the gospel of free trade and respect for human rights'. It also reported Mr Rubin criticized Beijing for amassing such a large foreign exchange reserve and said the Chinese yuan was undervalued at its set rate of 8 to the dollar. He said, the US has addressed the issue with China and has suggested the government use some of its foeign exchange to purchase capital equipment from abroad. See also Human Rights in China (HRIC): "Human Rights in China (HRIC) is an international non-governmental organization founded by Chinese scientists and scholars in March 1989. HRIC monitors the implementation of international human rights standards in the People's Republic of China and carries out human rights advocacy and education among Chinese people inside and outside the country." Politics: ( Beijing opts for stability in reshuffle ) We get a better sense of how Jiang Zemin will reshuffle the State Council. According to the South China Morning Post Zhu Rongji, the economic czar and former Vice-Premier, now has the tile of Executive Vice Premier and four immediate subordinates, Vice Premiers Li Lanqing, Wu Bangguo, Qian Qichen and Jiang Chunyun . The paper says it is probable that Mr Li, a former car executive, will be given the title of first Vice-Premier in charge of the economy. Mr Wu "will keep his present portfolio of industry, state-owned enterprises and economic reform. Mr Jiang Chunyun will remain agriculture supremo," writes the paper. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen will relinquish his title, although he remains on the politburo and will retain the diplomatic portfolio and oversight in Hong Kong and Macau affairs, reports the paper. The man to watch, it would seem, is Vice-Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan who has the support of President Jiang and expected to take the Foreign minister's job. Mr Tang is considered an Asia expert. Also reported by the paper is the expected promotion of Wu Yi, currently the head trade negotiator. Ms Wu will likely take the title of vice-premier in charge of foreign trade, reports the paper. For positions at the ministerial level and below, Mr Zhu Rongji has short listed a number of candidates, described as 'technocrats' by the paper, who will 'rejuvenate' these positions. United Nations: ( China supports UN reform ) The China Daily has more info on yesterday's remarks by the foreign ministry and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen on the question of reform of the United Nations. The paper writes: For the purpose of enhancing efficiency, the Chinese vice-premier said, "An appropriate reduction of personnel and expenditure is necessary. What is important, however, is for reform to place greater emphasis on development issues with a view to strengthening, rather than weakening, the UN's role in the promotion of economic and social development." Science: ( Science should serve economy ) The China Daily has an article on changes afoot in the role of 'science' in society and economic development.

HONG KONG

Legislature: ( Bids to alter blueprint for polls will be blocked ) The government today warned the Provisional Legislator that it was prepared to defend the Legislative Council Ordinance against amendments which would change the bill's premise, reports the South China Morning Post. The paper quotes Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Michael Suen Ming-yeung, who said the bill, which would sharply limit the territory's functional constituencies, was acceptable to the public and the government was prepared to enter its own amendments to negate those submitted by members. "We are lobbying hard that members should not support any amendments," he said. "The Government is prepared to introduce another amendment bill immediately if legislators' amendments are approved." See also Rita Fan pressed on 'double standards' and Preparations start for HK Legislative Council vote. Censorship: ( SCMP Internet Edition ) According to a recent poll, Hong Kongers believe the territory's news media is reluctant to criticize the mainland government. 68.4 of those polled believed that the news media preferred not to criticize Beijing, reports the South China Morning Post. As one journalist said, "The results are not surprising at all. It proved our concerns that the self-censorship is very serious in Hong Kong media, especially on China reporting," reports the paper. The poll was conducted by the Social Science Research Centre at Hong Kong University and involved 233 respondents.

TRADE

Tariffs: ( Details of customs tariff cuts published ) The China Daily has published an article and detailed list of items whose import tariffs will be lowered under the new scheme announced earlier this month. "The tariff cuts, to be applied from October 1, will affect 4,874 kinds of commodities and slash China's average tariff rate by 26 per cent down to 17 per cent.," reports the paper. A note at the end of the article implies that another list of relevant items will be published in a future issue.

REGIONAL

Burma: ( Burmese Strongman Ne Win, Not Seen Since '89, Travels to Indonesia ) Ne Win, the 'retired' leader of Burma, arrived in Jakarta at the invitation of President Suharto, reports the New York Times; and there is speculation that Suharto has invited Ne Win to impress upon the aging Burmese leader the necessity for dialogue between the ruling SLORC (State Law and Order Ruling Council) and NLD (National League for Democracy) headed up by Noble laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Ne Win has not been seen in public since 1989, the year when the military massacred upwards to ten thousand people around the country. Although officially retired behind the fortified walls of his Rangoon villa, it is thought Ne Win still participates in policy making. Asean admitted Burma to the organization earlier this year not so much for economic and trade reasons, but rather to offset mainland China's influence in the troubled nation to the south of Yunnan province. Chinese influence crosses various dimensions and is considerable, as Burma both traditionally and in recent times figures so much into the Chinese sphere of influence for economic and political access to South East Asia and the Indian Ocean. For this and other reasons, I have thought for any real and viable change to occur in Burma it was for China to affect, their influence being that important. But perhaps Asean will fill be able to nudge them in the right direction. Cambodia: ( CNN - More refugees flee Cambodian clashes - Sept. 25, 1997 ) The fighting continues and refugees poor into Thailand. . .

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