April 1, 2001

Generation of Chinese-born composers have established major and diversified presence on American musical scene; all are in their mid-40's; most entered conservatories in Beijing or Shanghai newly reopened Cultural Revolution in late 1970's; most studied doctoral program at Columbia University with Chinese immigrant Chou Wen-chung and some were recruited through United State-China Arts Exchange; most became American citizens and evolved styles mingling elements of their old and new musical cultures; careers of composers Tan Dun, Bright Sheng, Chen Yi and Zhou Long profiled (L)

Purchase College nears completion of 180-bed dormitory made up of 57 manufactured modular units, first such effort on State University of New York's 64 campuses; photo (M)

IT was late on a Saturday night, a few minutes shy of midnight, when Maritza Gonzalez strode through the door of Club Rio in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She wore a black lamb's-wool coat with a mink fur collar and black leather boots elevated by four-inch heels. Visible under her coat was a black wrap blouse that revealed ample cleavage and, an inch or two south of her collarbone, a small tattoo of the Rolling Stones tongue logo. Walking slightly behind her was her boyfriend of a year, Steve Alonso, 32, a muscled New York City detective with a pencil-thin goatee, a small round earring in each ear and a megawattage smile.

When Arturo Swayze rented an apartment in Dyker Heights, he knew it needed work. He did it himself, including a new kitchen counter. By Trish Hall 4

Confidential review by US naval officers concludes that Taiwan needs significant infusion of new weapons, including sophisticated ship-borne radar system China does not want it to have; China's bitter opposition to sale of sophisticated weapons, which it fears will lead to new degree of cooperation between Taiwan and US and buttress island's pro-independence sentiment, discussed; three types of weapons systems it finds particularly objectionable noted; pending decision on whether to sell arms is one of first major foreign policy tests for Bush administration; could set tone for US-China relations for foreseeable future; has caused rift among America's China hands, including those in Republican Party, putting pressure on Bush from both sides; some policy experts say it would be foolish to pick diplomatic fight with Beijing before administration has had chance to begin dialogue with leadership; pro-Taiwan conservatives insist US has moral obligation to safeguard Taiwan from threats from Communist government in Beijing; photos; map (M)