Ford reassures Deng on relations with US

President Reagan assured top Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping that Peking and Washington will enjoy a "continuing relationship" despite their disagreement over the status of Taiwan. Mr. Reagan's message was relayed by former President Gerald Ford, who arrived Sunday on what was billed as a private six-day business trip but which quickly took on official overtones.

In little more than 24 hours in the Chinese capital, Mr. Ford met Mr. Deng, Premier Zhao Ziyang, and Foreign Minister Huang Hu to deliver messages from Reagan and discuss C hinese-American relations.