*EPF304 10/11/00
Text: Barshefsky Hails Signing into Law of China Trade Status
(Says PNTR law marks new era in Sino-American relations) (380)

United States Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky applauded the October 10 signing into law of the bill granting China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status with the United States.

"President Clinton's signing of the PNTR legislation for China marks a new era in our relations with China," Barshefsky said.

China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), she added, "will provide tremendous new economic opportunities for our workers, farmers and businesses."

Bringing China "more fully into the community of nations governed by the rule of law," the top U.S. trade official said, "is the best way to promote reform in China and stability in the region."

Barshefsky departed October 11 for China to discuss that country's implementation of steps to open its economy that China had agreed to in negotiations on its entry into the WTO with Barshefsky in late 1999.

Following is the text of the USTR press release with Barshefsky's remarks:

(begin text)

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C.

USTR Press Releases are available on the USTR web site at www.ustr.gov.

October 10, 2000

USTR Barshefsky Applauds the Signing Of PNTR Legislation for China

United States Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky today issued the following statement after the signing ceremony of the legislation establishing Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China:

"President Clinton's signing of the PNTR legislation for China marks a new era in our relations with China. China's accession to the World Trade Organization will provide tremendous new economic opportunities for our workers, farmers and businesses. Bringing China more fully into the community of nations governed by the rule of law is the best way to promote reform in China and stability in the region.

"China's WTO accession agreement is the capstone of the nearly 300 trade agreements negotiated by the Clinton Administration. It embodies the President's use of trade policy, coupled with broader economic and foreign policies, as a means to promote prosperity at home and peace abroad."

(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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