New York Times

China Doesn't Deserve Trade Club Membership

To the Editor: Re "Trade Membership for China" (editorial, March 6):

You publish articles on the human rights abuses suffered by Chinese men, women and children in forced labor camps, in horrendous working conditions and orphanages. You have also documented the wrongful imprisonment and murder of those opposed to China's oppressive government. You also publish articles on the annihilation of Tibetan culture and the forced occupation of that peaceful nation.

What, then, is your objective in promoting China's inclusion in the World Trade Organization, thereby condoning and enabling the deplorable behavior of that nation's Government? You argue that human rights issues will "complicate" trade issues. What seems clear is that trade issues are "complicating" the need for basic human rights for millions of Chinese workers.

You contend that "the important task for the Administration is to negotiate commercially fair terms." My question is, Fair to whom?

DANIELLE GEORGE

Staten Island, March 6, 1997