*EPF404 03/30/00
Text: Taiwanese-born Congressman Asks Clinton to Oppose China PNTR
(Representative David Wu March 30 news conference) (460)

One day after President Clinton called on Congress to grant China permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status in a vote "this spring," a Taiwanese-born Congressman of the President's own party is urging Clinton to "oppose permanent MFN for China."

MFN or Most Favored Nation status was the term used before the current term, Normal Trade Relations status.

Representative David Wu (Democrat of Oregon) made that appeal in a March 30 news conference with House Minority Whip Representative David Bonior (Democrat of Michigan) and Representative Nancy Pelosi (Democrat of California), a critic of Beijing's human rights record.

"I remain pro-engagement and pro-trade and do not support shutting down our relationship with China," the Oregon Democrat said.

"China must demonstrate visible progress in areas such as human and worker rights, environmental protection and nuclear weapons and missile proliferation before we grant permanent MFN," Wu said.

"By granting permanent MFN," Wu said, "the United States would surrender its only effective economic and political leverage to effect positive change in China."

Following is the text of Wu's statement, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

Statement of Congressman David Wu
Permanent MFN for China
March 30, 2000

Today I am urging the President to oppose Permanent MFN for China. I have talked to a lot of Oregonians - both here in Washington and at home - who feel very strongly about this issue. In fact, lobbying on this issue is as fierce as any lobbying I have seen during the last year in Washington.

I remain pro-engagement and pro-trade and do not support shutting down our relationship with China but we must put a human face on the global economy and put human interests on par with commerce and political interests.

My values on this issue have been and will continue to be consistent. China must demonstrate visible progress in areas such as human and workers rights, environmental protection and nuclear weapons and missile proliferation before we grant permanent MFN.

I have promised to remain straight forward and honest regarding my position and I have done just that. I simply do not believe that the situation in China has improved and cannot, in good conscience, vote for permanent MFN.

Since the U.S. market consumes more than one third of China's exports, common sense says that U.S. market access can greatly influence China's conduct on a range of vital issues.

By granting permanent MFN, we would surrender our only effective economic and political leverage to effect positive change in China.

I continue to hope for real change in China. Until then, I remain opposed to permanent MFN.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State - www.usinfo.state.gov)
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