[House Document 106-253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-253


 
CONTINUATION OF WAIVER UNDER THE TRADE ACT OF 1974 WITH RESPECT TO CHINA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

NOTIFICATION OF HIS DETERMINATION THAT A CONTINUATION OF A WAIVER 
  CURRENTLY IN EFFECT FOR THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WILL 
  SUBSTANTIALLY PROMOTE THE OBJECTIVES OF SECTION 402, OF THE TRADE ACT 
  OF 1974, PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 2432 (c) AND (d)




June 6, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered 
                             to be printed

                               __________

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
79-011                     WASHINGTON : 2000

                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, June 2, 2000.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: I hereby transmit a report including my 
reasons for determining that continuation of the waiver 
currently in effect for the People's Republic of China under 
subsection 402(d)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, (the 
``Act'') will substantially promote the objectives of section 
402 of the Act.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.
Report to the Congress Concerning the Extension of Waiver Authority for 
                     the People's Republic of China

    Pursuant to subsection 402(d)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, 
as amended (``the Act''), I have recommended further extension 
of the waiver authority granted by subsection 402(c) of the Act 
for twelve months. I have determined that such extension will 
substantially promote the objectives of section 402 of the Act, 
and that continuation of the waiver currently applicable to the 
People's Republic of China will also substantially promote the 
objectives of section 402 of the Act. My determination is 
attached and incorporated herein.
Freedom of Emigration Determination
    China's relatively free emigration policies have continued 
during the past twelve months. In FY 1999, 26,901 U.S. 
immigrant visas were issued to Chinese nationals abroad, down 
slightly from FY 1998. Visas were available to Chinese 
immigrants up to the numerical limitation under U.S. law. the 
figure of 26,901 includes only immigrant visas issued at U.S. 
consular offices abroad, and does include adjustments of status 
at INS offices in the United States.
    In FY 1999, 193,954 U.S. visas were issued worldwide to 
tourists and business visitors from China, a two percent 
decrease from the FY 1998 total of 197,332. The number of 
nonimmigrant combination business/tourist visas issued to 
Chinese nationals increased by 180 percent in FY 1999 (from 
63,385 to 177,171), while the number of business visas 
decreased by 96 percent (from 99,936 to 3,889) and the number 
of tourist visas decreased by 62 percent (from 34,011 to 
12,894). These figures represent the switch to the combined 
business/tourist visa.
    Also in FY 1999, 31,327 student visas (including exchange 
visitor visas) were issued, a 12 percent increase from the FY 
1998 total of 27,909.
    The volume of visas issued in these categories generally 
reflects the overall one percent increase in nonimmigrant visa 
applications (including issuances and refusals) at U.S. 
consular offices in China in FY 1999 from FY 1998 levels 
(337,511 to 341,006).
    The principal constraint on increased emigration is the 
capacity and willingness of other nations to absorb Chinese 
immigrants rather than Chinese policy. After considering all 
the relevant information, I have concluded that continuing the 
waiver will preserve the gains on freedom of emigration and 
encourage further progress.
    FY 1999 figures are preliminary and subject to minor 
adjustment.
                [Presidential Determination No. 2000-23]

                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, June 2, 2000.
Memorandum for the Secretary of State.
Subject: Determination Under Subsection 402(d)(1) of the Trade Act of 
        1974, as Amended: Continuation of Waiver Authority for the 
        People's Republic of China.

    Pursuant to the authority vested in me under the Trade Act 
of 1974, as amended, Public Law 93-618, 88 Stat. 1978 (the 
``Act''), 19 U.S.C. 2432(d)(1), that the further extension of 
the waiver authority granted by section 402(c) of the Act will 
substantially promote the objectives of section 402 of the Act. 
I further determine that continuation of the waiver applicable 
to the People's Republic of China will substantially promote 
the objectives of section 402 of the Act.
    You are authorized and directed to publish this 
determination in the Federal Register.

                                                William J. Clinton.

                                  
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