[19990330]RS20135_中美峰会：朱镕基总理1999年4月访华.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20135March 30, 1999China-U.S. Summitry: Premier Zhu RongjisApril 1999 Visit Kerry DumbaughSpecialist in Asian AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryOn April 8, 1999, Premier Zhu Rongji will begin his first official visit to the UnitedStates since his selection as Chinas Prime Minister in March 1998. Zhus visit is anotherimportant step in a seemingly perennial effort to improve U.S.-China relations. AlthoughU.S. policymakers have tried to lower expectations about the visits potentialachievements, there is widespread speculation that a deal may be in the works that couldpave the way for Chinas accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a matterunder negotiation for over a decade now. Premier Zhu has been candid about his hopesfor such an agreement. But both U.S. and Chinese government officials remainhamstrung by domestic political constraints that may make it difficult to reachaccommodation on substantive matters. President Clinton is already under fire for hisChina policy, which some critics allege has made too many concessions to Beijing a