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SCMP Reporter

UNITED States Secretary of State Warren Christopher has indicated he hopes to settle problems with China in a meeting with counterpart Qian Qichen in Brunei next month.

Mr Christopher said yesterday he hoped the talks would take place on the sidelines of a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 'so that we can have a chance to discuss and consider our relationships'.

 'We desire excellent relationships with China,' he added.

 The US intended to pursue its long-standing policy of recognising Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China. He said nothing had changed on that front.

But Mr Christopher did speak out in defence of detained Chinese-American Harry Wu Hongda.

The Secretary of State called for Wu's immediate release and suggested relations between the two countries could suffer if Beijing insisted on putting the US citizen on trial over espionage charges.

'I think the thing that would be most conducive in relationships between the United States and China, between our Congress and the Chinese leaders as well as our administration, is the early and prompt release of Harry Wu,' he said.

 Powerful congressmen have threatened Beijing with new sanctions over the detention of Wu.

Another threat to China's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trading status has surfaced, with Senator Russell Feingold introducing into the chamber a resolution which would strip Beijing of its privileges, similar to a move in the House to be voted on next week.

Senator Feingold's resolution signalled deepening resentment in the Senate, which is generally more moderate towards trade issues with China.

 'My resolution is intended to send the message that we cannot have business as usual with China when human rights advocates, such as Harry Wu, are under threat of death,' Senator Feingold explained to the Senate.

'We must use MFN as a lever to protect human rights in China, and an American human rights crusader who is facing death.' Other members of both Houses, including Senate Foreign Relations chairman Jesse Helms, have also been planning methods of taking harsh action over 58-year-old Wu.

The final version of any retaliation, though, is likely to fall short of the withdrawal of MFN status.

Yesterday, House Speaker Newt Gingrich warned Beijing the US was on the point of tough retaliation.

'I think [the Chinese] need to understand that we also have the capability of being tough and there is a point beyond which they can't push us,' he said after meeting Wu's wife, Chen Ching-lee, on Capitol Hill.

 Ms Chen later urged Hillary Rodham Clinton to refuse to attend the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing in September.

She said she was generally pleased with Washington's efforts in attempting to win her husband's release.

US President Bill Clinton was deeply concerned at Wu's arrest, said Mr Gingrich, and the two men had discussed the matter.

'I know that he is concerned and the administration is seriously considering steps.' Wu was given a list of Chinese lawyers by a United States consular official, the US Embassy said yesterday.

 Consul-General Arturo Macias also gave him some books, newspapers and writing material during their half-hour meeting on Monday in Wuhan, where he is being held, embassy spokesman Sara Stryker said.

 'We want Wu to be able to select his own attorney . . . [but] there is Chinese law to be complied with,' Mr Macias said.



US seeks talks with Qian