14 February 2003
Zoellick to Begin Four-Day Trip to China February 17
(U.S. Trade Representative to focus on WTO-related issues) (650) United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick will visit China February 17-20 to discuss the impact of that country's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a February 14 news release from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. While in China, Zoellick will meet with Vice Premier Wen Jiabao, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) Shi Guangsheng, Chinese students, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, and Hong Kong Secretary Henry Tang, among others. Following is the text of the February 14 news release from the Office of the United States Trade Representative: (begin text) OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Executive Office of the President Washington, D.C. 20508 For Immediate Release: February 14, 2003 USTR Zoellick to Visit China February 17-20 to Discuss WTO Impact, China's Implementation, and Bilateral Trade Issues In addition to Beijing, Zoellick will be first Cabinet Member to visit western China's Chongqing BEIJING - Over a year after China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick will visit China next week on a four day visit to discuss the WTO's impact on China, ongoing economic reforms, bilateral trade issues and current global trade negotiations. Zoellick will have meetings with Vice Premier Wen Jiabao and MOFTEC Minister Shi Guangsheng. "Facilitating China's accession to the WTO was a top priority and achievement of the Bush Administration's first year. I look forward to meeting with my Chinese colleagues to discuss the important progress they have made in reforming their economy. However, we do have concerns that in some areas, particularly agriculture, Americans are not getting the access the Chinese promised and which the WTO mandates," said Zoellick. "As a WTO member, China needs to fully implement WTO rules and reap the rewards of participating in the global market." Following meetings in Beijing on Monday, February 17, where he will launch the U.S.-China Trade Dialogue, Zoellick will travel to Chongqing in western China to see firsthand the economic opportunities and potential of the largest city in the world. "Chongqing is a city literally on the frontier between two worlds, facing a future of promise and hope. I am particularly interested in seeing the city of Chongqing in China's interior, and meeting with officials, U.S. businesses and Chinese merchants and students who are actively working to improve their lives and their community," added Zoellick. In Chongqing on Tuesday, Zoellick plans to tour a recently opened Ford factory which makes automobiles for the domestic Chinese market. He will tour an open produce market that provides Chinese consumers with top quality American produce. In his meetings with Chongqing officials, Zoellick will discuss how important it is for Chongqing to successfully implement its share of WTO rules, in order to compete and attract investment within China. In addition, Zoellick will meet with local students to discuss the WTO, highlighting the Chinese government's efforts to educate the Chinese people on what WTO membership means. From Chongqing, Zoellick will travel to Shenzhen where he will tour a Wal-Mart store that provides Chinese consumers with more consumer choice, better quality goods and lower prices. Finishing in Hong Kong, Zoellick on Wednesday will have meetings with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and Secretary Henry Tang. The U.S.-China Trade Dialogue is a new bilateral forum designed to bring U.S. and Chinese officials from throughout their governments to discuss bilateral trade issues, resolve potential disputes and foster cooperation on issues within the ongoing Doha global trade negotiations. Zoellick is in Tokyo, Japan from Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16 for an informal meeting of WTO trade ministers to discuss the Doha trade negotiations. USTR Press Releases are available on the USTR website at www.ustr.gov. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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