By KATHY WILHELM, Associated Press Writer

BEIJING October 2, 1995 (AP) -- China said today the United States has agreed to tough restrictions on visits by Taiwan's leaders that bar them from making political speeches. The White House denied Beijing's claim.

"We did not" place restrictions, presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said.

"To limit a person's freedom of speech is contrary to American values."

Secretary of State Warren Christopher said today that President Clinton would meet with President Jiang Zemin of China in New York on Oct. 24.

Concerning visits by Taiwan's leaders, Christopher said he told the Chinese they would be "unofficial, private, rare" and that decisions on visits would be made "on a case-by-case" basis. Clinton originally invited Zemin to Washington for an official working visit; China balked at that, holding out for a full-blown state visit, an honor that Clinton has reserved for America's warmest allies.

"We don't believe that our bilateral relationship (with China) at the moment is at a sufficient state of progress to warrant a state visit," McCurry said.

Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said that if the White House lacks the "political will" to invite Jiang for a state visit, China would accept a meeting in New York.

Chinese-U.S. relations have been on the mend in recent weeks after plummeting in May, when Washington agreed to let Taiwan's president, Lee Teng-hui, attend a reunion at Cornell University. China considers Taiwan a renegade province.

While the supposed new restrictions on contacts with Taiwan do not fully satisfy China, Qian said they represent progress. Qian was quoted by Chinese news organizations whose reporters interviewed him Saturday in New York.

Chinese-U.S. relations have been at a low since Lee's visit. Other problems have included China's detention of Chinese-American human rights activist Harry Wu, as well as U.S. distaste for China's weapons proliferation and human rights abuses.

Beijing also objects to Clinton's recent meeting with the Dalai Lama, claiming it implied support for Tibetan independence.

The official Xinhua News Agency quoted Qian as saying U.S. officials pledged to restrict visits by Taiwan's officials during a meeting last week between Qian and Christopher.

"They said, from now on, this sort of thing is completely personal, very few in number, exceptional and will be dealt with case by case," Xinhua paraphrased Qian as saying.

"Visits will be entirely for personal reasons, such as receiving medical treatment, and cannot include making political speeches," it said.

When the United States normalized relations with China in 1979, it recognized Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. Taiwan has been governed since 1949 by Nationalist Chinese who were defeated by the Communists on the mainland.