Text: Ambassador-designate Randt Outlines U.S. China Policy
(Randt's Senate confirmation hearing testimony)The United States has different values but common interests with China, the nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China said in June 27 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Ambassador-designate Clark Randt told senators that he would approach differences between the two governments "with a spirit of respect."
The Bush administration, he added, would "engage and cooperate with China where we can, and compete with or oppose China where we must."
Quoting Secretary of State Colin Powell, Randt said: "'[W]e will treat China as she merits. A strategic partner China is not, but neither is China our inevitable or implacable foe. China is a competitor and a potential regional rival, but also a trading partner willing to cooperate in the areas -- such as Korea -- where our strategic interests overlap.'"
While trade is an important part of the relationship between Beijing and Washington, Randt said, commerce should "not come at the expense of our national security and our core values that are our greatest source of national strength."
Randt reiterated long-standing U.S. policy that the United States insists on a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue, and does not support a declaration of independence by Taiwan.
"Our consistent position, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the three communiqu¡¦, is that there is one China. We will honor our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act," he said.
Following is the text of Randt's testimony, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
Statement of Clark Randt
Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
June 27, 2001Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to appear before you this morning as the President's nominee to be the next Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. I am extremely grateful for and humbled by the President's confidence and trust in me as reflected by his nomination of me to this critical position at this crucial time for our complex and important relationship with China.
Before proceeding further, Mr. Chairman, please permit me to briefly introduce my family members who were able to accompany me today: my oldest son, Clark, and my brother Dana and his wife Gina. My wife of 22 years, Sarah, and my 15-year-old son Paull are still in Hong Kong, and my 11-year-old daughter Clare is away at summer camp.
I have one regret today and that is that my late father cannot be here. When I was going off to college in 1964, he advised me to study Chinese. He said that Chinese constitute one quarter of mankind and will surely become an important force on the world scene in my lifetime. Being a teenager and, by definition, therefore, more knowledgeable than my Dad, I ignored his advice and studied English literature. The Air Force, however, in 1968, gave me another chance and I took it. I studied Chinese for one year at the Defense Language Institute and spent 2 1/2 years stationed in Taiwan. Over the years, I have made several trips to Taiwan and witnessed firsthand its stunning transformation from martial law to a robust democracy.
I first visited the Mainland in 1974 for six weeks where I had ordinary citizens flee from me for fear that they would be arrested for talking to a foreigner. There were no laws other than Chairman Mao and the Communist Party. Beijing's broad boulevards were mostly empty except for the crowded bicycle lanes. In early winter, the street corners were piled with cabbage; in early summer, watermelons.
China has come a long way, but much remains to be done. Like any other member of the community of nations, China must earn the respect of its peers not by mere words but by deeds.
I have, Mr. Chairman, spent my adult life preparing for this assignment: in the Air Force, as a China representative of the U.S.- China Business Council, as First Secretary and Commercial Attach¡¦at our Embassy in Beijing and for more than 25 years, as a lawyer and negotiator in China.
If confirmed, I shall employ my experience and skills to implement the President's policy and work towards relations that advance our national interests and our core values such as religious freedom, human rights and the rule of law. As the President has said, "We have different values, yet common interests in the world...I will always stand squarely for American interests and American values. And these will, no doubt, sometimes cause disagreements with China. Yet, I will approach our differences in a spirit of respect." We will engage and cooperate with China where we can and compete with or oppose China where we must. As Secretary Powell said, "We will treat China as she merits. A strategic partner China is not. But neither is China our inevitable and implacable foe. China is a competitor and a potential regional rival, but also a trading partner willing to cooperate in the areas -- such as Korea -- where our strategic interests overlap. China is all of these things; but China is not an enemy and our challenge is to keep it that way."
Trade and engagement must not come at the expense of our national security and our core values that are our greatest source of national strength. As you, Mr. Chairman, yourself have said, "Our engagement must be rooted in four fundamental principles: clarity, consistency, pragmatism and accountability." If confirmed, I shall keep these principles in mind as we prepare for the President's important visit to China in October.
As the President has plainly articulated, we insist on a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and do not support a declaration of independence by Taiwan. Our consistent position, based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the three communiqu¡¦, is that there is one China. We will honor our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act.
As part of the confirmation process, I have had the privilege to meet some of the members of this Committee and their respective staffs. If confirmed, I will certainly need to draw on your wisdom and experience and pledge to you that I will regularly consult with Congress and, if confirmed, I very much hope that I will have the privilege of hosting each of you and your staffs in Beijing.
If confirmed, I shall do my utmost to vindicate the faith reposed in me by the President and the Senate.
Thank you for this opportunity. I would be pleased and honored to respond to any questions that any of you might have.
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