China said to send signal for better ties with Soviets

China is sending Vice Premier Wan Li as part of a four-member delegation to the funeral of Soviet President Yuri Andropov in what diplomats view as a strong signal that Peking wants better relations with Moscow. Wan will be the highest-ranking Chinese leader to visit Moscow in nearly 20 years.

''President Andropov had expressed on several occasions his desire to improve Sino-Soviet relations. It is the sincere desire of the Chinese government to see relations between the two countries normalized,'' China' leaders said in a telegram of condolance to the Kremlin Saturday.