Seeking to pre-empt GOP criticism of his meeting today with Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, Mr. Clinton called for China's accession to the World Trade Organization. He also said the United States must "give a respectful listen" to China's case against democratic reforms.

In a speech designed to put the best possible face on faltering U.S.-Sino relations, the president pooh-poohed "this China debate in America, with people talking about how we've got to contain China and they present a terrible threat to us in the future, and it's inevitable and how awful it is."

Seeking to counter those who argue that China is "our enemy" and "a country to be feared," the president declared: "We have to follow a different course. We cannot afford caricatures."

Mr. Clinton, who in 1992 pledged not to "coddle tyrants [in] Beijing," yesterday called for a policy of continued "engagement" with China, even as he acknowledged the country's human rights abuses.

"I think we would all agree we have an interest in seeking to make a difference," the president said in remarks to the U.S. Institute for Peace. "We can't do that simply by confronting China or trying to contain her."

Mr. Clinton, whose administration has been criticized for moving too slowly to stop Chinese espionage at U.S. nuclear labs, tried to portray himself yesterday as a champion of strict security measures.

"We are determined to prevent the diversion of technology and sensitive information to China," the president said at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. "The restrictions we place on our exports to China are tougher than those applied to any other major exporting country in the world."

That claim stunned William Triplett, co-author of "Year of the Rat: How Bill Clinton Compromised U.S. Security for Chinese Cash." The book examines how the Clinton administration loosened export controls on sensitive military technology to China, which funneled cash to the Clinton-Gore campaign.

"I was open-mouthed watching this speech on television," Mr. Triplett said. "I have to tell you this is probably the most shameless, fraudulent, political speech in the last 10 years."

Mr. Triplett was particularly galled when Mr. Clinton, whose reelection campaign received major donations from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China, argued that China is not a threat.

"You simply cannot sell this notion that PLA is not a threat in any capital in Asia, from Seoul and Tokyo to New Delhi," Mr. Triplett said. "I mean, can you imagine walking into the defense ministry in Manila and saying, 'Hey, don't worry. The PLA is not a threat.' You'd get laughed out of town." Mr. Clinton acknowledged that U.S.-Sino relations could be better.

"Our relationship with China ... is being tested and hotly debated today as China's premier, Zhu Rongji, travels to Washington," the president said. "We should not look at China through rose-colored glasses. Nor should we look through a glass darkly to see an image that distorts China's strength and ignores its complexities."

Mr. Clinton is sensitive to criticism of his China policy from Republican presidential candidates. These include Gary Bauer, who said today's visit by Mr. Zhu "exposes the absolute weakness and wrongheadedness" of the administration's policy, which amounts to "chasing dollars" instead of safeguarding human rights and national security.

GOP presidential hopeful Steve Forbes said Mr. Clinton should confront Mr. Zhu on Chinese efforts to "funnel illegal campaign contributions" to the president's 1996 campaign. Deputy National Security Adviser Jim Steinberg refused to say whether Mr. Clinton would raise the subject at today's meeting.

"As the next presidential election approaches, we cannot allow a healthy argument to lead us toward a campaign-driven Cold War with China," Mr. Clinton said. "For that would have tragic consequences: an America riven by mistrust and bitter accusations; an end to diplomatic contact that has produced tangible gains for our people; a climate of mistrust that hurts Chinese-Americans and undermines the exchanges that are opening China to the world."

Mr. Clinton said granting World Trade Organization membership "is not a favor to China. It is the best way to level the playing field."

"China already has broad access to our markets," he said. "If China accepts the responsibilities that come with WTO membership, that will give us broad access to China's markets."

He added, "It would be an inexplicable mistake for the United States to say no."

Mr. Clinton, who in 1992 complained of China's "$15 billion trade surplus with the United States under Mr. Bush," did not mention yesterday that the deficit has ballooned to $57 billion. But he argued that it is in America's best interest for China to maintain a robust economy and sound social order.

"The weaknesses of great nations can pose as big a challenge to America as their strengths," Mr. Clinton said. "So as we focus on the potential challenge that a strong China could present to the United States in the future, let us not forget the risk of a weak China."

The president urged Americans to be patient with China's reluctance to embrace democracy.

"China's leaders believe that significant political reform carries enormous risk of instability at this moment in their history," the president said. "We owe it to any country to give a respectful listen to their stated policy about such matters."

That "respectful listen" will take place today in the White House as Mr. Zhu meets with the president before the two host a joint news conference. Mr. Zhu arrived in Washington yesterday after a visit to Los Angeles. He was scheduled to meet informally with Mr. Clinton in the White House residence at about 9 p.m. last night.