DATE=03/26/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA / U-S SHIP (S)

NUMBER=2-287990

BYLINE=RENE MCGUFFIN

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Chinese government says a U-S Navy ship will not be allowed to make a routine stop in Hong Kong next month. Rene McGuffin reports from Beijing the Chinese decision is an apparent protest over recent U-S dealings with Taiwan.

TEXT: The U-S-S Curtis Wilbur had sought clearance to visit Hong Kong in early April, but the Chinese government has refused to grant it permission.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue did not address the issue directly, but said decisions on port calls are based on various factors.

She also suggested that Vice President Hu Jintao's planned visit to Washington next month will only go ahead if the United States plays by China's rules over the issue of Taiwan. Ms. Zhang speaking through a translator.

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The Taiwan issue is the most important and the most sensitive issue at the heart of U-S-China relations.

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At issue is a U-S decision to allow Taiwan's defense minister to attend a military conference in the U-S state of Florida earlier this month.

Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province and will not condone any move that appears to recognize the island as an independent country. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/RM/JO/RAE