U.S.-CHINA MARITIME TALKS PLANNED SEPT. 20

   U.S. and China maritime officials will meet beginning Sept. 20 in
Washington, to discuss establishing a new bilateral agreement, and to
address U.S. concerns over China trade practices.
   These practices include restrictions on vessel calls at Chinese ports,
inland operations, establishing branch offices and shipping between China
and Taiwan. Non-Chinese carriers say that such restrictions hinder their
operations and give Chinese carriers and their subsidiaries an unfair
advantage in the bilateral trade.
   The Federal Maritime Commission decided in July to prepare sanctions
against the Chinese maritime-related companies to retaliate against the
business restrictions. The sanctions may include fines against China’s
shipping lines.
   The FMC levied fines against Japanese carriers two years ago in response to unfair maritime practices there. Though the FMC dropped the sanctions, the agency has revived is probe of Japan’s port practices.
   Maritime Administrator Clyde Hart will head the U.S. delegation. The
bilateral agreement between the two nations expired last year.