Speaking at a policy briefing sponsored by the National Committee of United States-China Relationship in Washington, Prueher also said the United States should support the economic reform and rule of law in China, and put forward human rights dialogue and military-to-military contact between the two countries.

China's WTO accession, "the number one issue on the list," will serve America's long-term political, economic and military interests, Prueher told a group of China experts at the briefing. "So we need not take our eyes off the ball," said the 58-year-old admiral-turned-diplomat who just returned after three months in China.

Prueher called on Americans to "do everything" to buttress China's reform in such fields as economic restructuring, banking, financing, so that America's business firms may enjoy a good deal of fairness in competition for China's market.

Prueher also stressed the need to support the development of rule of law in China, saying that the Chinese people are working hard toward establishing a legal society in the country.

The ambassador also urged support for continued human rights dialogue with China, but cautioned that when conducting the dialogue, the United States should take into account what China has achieved in improving human rights over the past two decades.

"We should acknowledge what has been done (in China) over the last 20 years, which is in a considerable amount," he said. In China, he added, many people who starved in the past now have enough to eat, and there are more non-governmental organizations and greater individual freedom than before.

Prueher expressed his opposition to the ''Taiwan Security Enhancement Act," saying it will only worsen the situation in the Taiwan Straits.

The US House of Representatives passed the act last month despite China's strong opposition. China says that the act will pose a severe threat to China's security and increase the chances of military confrontation across the Straits.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2000)