BEIJING (AP) - With a U.S. congressional vote on a landmark trade deal approaching, China warned Thursday of possible repercussions for American companies in China if the pact is rejected.
The warning came during a visit by a congressional delegation that President Clinton hopes will solidify support for giving China permanent low-tariff access to U.S. markets.
The measure was part of a U.S.-China deal to clear the way for Beijing's expected entry into the World Trade Organization later this year. In exchange, Beijing promised to open its markets to foreign competitors.
But Premier Zhu Rongji has threatened to exclude U.S. companies if Congress doesn't give China permanent normal trade relations.
"China-U.S. relations will be greatly undermined. Especially the interests of U.S. companies in China will be undermined," Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said during a regular news briefing.
Sun would not give details, but suggested American companies might still face high tariffs and barriers to competition while restraints on other foreign companies were loosened.
"It also is not conducive for U.S. companies to compete with other companies in the Chinese market," he said.
Labor and human rights groups have opposed giving China permanent normal trade relations. It would require scrapping the annual trade review that critics of China's communist government have used to push for improvements in religious, labor and human rights.
A delegation of four congressmen led by Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman is visiting China in hopes of winning over undecided lawmakers before the congressional vote scheduled for May 22. The delegation has been meeting with Chinese officials and U.S. and Chinese business leaders.
Glickman said Wednesday he had cautioned Chinese officials the vote would be "very, very close."
Sun, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, ruled out compromises such as attaching conditions to the trade issue or creating a WTO panel to monitor Chinese human rights.
He said the trade issue and human rights "are two questions that cannot be confused. We are opposed to any politicization of human rights and the use of human rights to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.":
