DATE=3/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / CHINA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260139
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Six former Secretaries of State have written a
letter urging Congress to approve permanent normal
trade relations with China. From the State
Department, V-O-A's Kyle King reports.
TEXT: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced
the release of the letter by her six predecessors, who
say it is in the U-S national interest to have a
stable and predictable relationship with China.
The letter was signed by Henry Kissinger, Alexander
Haig, George Shultz, James Baker, Lawrence
Eagleberger, and Warren Christopher.
It urges Congress to approve the World Trade
Organization Agreement negotiated by the
administration in November. It also urges Congress to
approve the permanent normalization of U-S trade
relations with China.
Secretary of State Albright says the letter recognizes
that it is in the long term U-S interest to engage
China.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT /// 4
Within China it would encourage the rule of law
and spur the development of a more open society.
/// END ACT ///
The Clinton administration has been lobbying hard to
secure Congressional approval of legislation granting
China normal trade relations.
Such an agreement would allow China to have the same
low-tariff access to the U-S market as most other
nations. U-S officials say it would also allow U-S
access to the Chinese market.
Chinese officials say even if they fail to secure a
trade agreement with the United States they will
continue to push for membership in the World Trade
Organization. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
13-Mar-2000 14:57 PM EDT (13-Mar-2000 1957 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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