A country that disdains human rights won't abide by fair trade rules.

What does the United States want from China today? Open markets and protection for U.S. investments? Cooperation in detering the spread of nuclear weapons? Intercession to keep the Korean peace? Respect for civil rights and the release of political prisoners? Less pressure and fewer threats toward Taiwan?

The correct answer, of course, is ``all of the above.''

Given the range of U.S. interests in China, the Clinton administration's ``delinking'' of trade and human-rights to clear the way for negotiations on other issues seems reasonable. It might even account for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's astonishing assertion -- just days after the State Department released a sharply critical report on human rights in China -- of making ``better progress'' when trade and human rights aren't linked.

Trouble is, there isn't much progress. The Chinese government relentlessly punishes dissidents. The U.S. trade deficit has grown; China didn't open its markets when its economy was booming, it hasn't now that the economy has stagnated.Intellectual property remains unprotected. There is no sign of a North Korean thaw, and Taiwan's future remains murky. Need we mention recent arrests here of Chinese citizens illegally trying to obtain and export missile-guidance systems.

Perhaps Ms. Albright is saying that while she is willing to speak harshly to the Chinese about human rights and stress the importance of the rule of law, there are issues more vital to U.S. interests than human rights. But is it possible to address those interests if her words have no bite? Indeed, what has been gained by ``delinking''?

China wants two things from the United States: technology and trade. Delinking frees Ms. Albright to talk, but takes away the leverage and incentive necessary to make things happen. Even more so if we also accede -- as it appears we will -- to China's admission to the World Trade Organization or fail to criticize China's abhorrent human-rights record at the Geneva meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Commission later this month.

Respect for human rights is a basic, defining test of a civil society, the measure of a nation's willingness and ability to abide by international rules of law. Ms. Albright and President Clinton should rethink U.S.-China policy and devise linkages that will advance human rights and U.S. interests.