[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO CHINA

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, 11 months ago, this body resoundingly passed 
S. Res. 98, a sense-of-the-Senate resolution, cosponsored by the 
distinguished Senator who presently presides over the Senate, the 
Senator from Nebraska, Mr. Hagel, and myself. The Byrd-Hagel Resolution 
sent a strong message to the Administration regarding the then-
impending Kyoto Protocol. The Resolution directed the Administration 
not to submit the Kyoto Protocol to the Senate for its advice and 
consent until developing countries, especially the largest emitters, 
make ``new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse 
gas emissions'' similar to those to which developed nations would be 
bound if the Protocol were implemented. The resolution also called on 
the Administration to show that such a Protocol ``would not result in 
serious harm to the economy of the United States.''

  In anticipation of the President's trip to China, I recently sent a 
letter to him urging him to use his influence to persuade the Chinese 
to take ``a progressive leadership role among the developing world'' so 
that we can begin to fully address this complex and serious issue. I 
noted that, ``after 2015, China is expected to surpass the United 
States as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. While the 
Chinese contribution to global emissions in 1995 was 11 percent, it is 
expected to reach 17 percent by percent by 2035. In that same time 
period, the U.S. emissions will shrink from 22 percent to 15 percent.''
  While the international effort to bring China on board may seem like 
a difficult task, it is still possible if we seek win-win 
opportunities. While China has taken a number of steps to clean up its 
own environment, China's domestic efforts must increase given the 
serious nature of their environmental problems. I urged the President 
to encourage China to support the market mechanisms that were 
successfully incorporated in the Protocol by the Administration's 
negotiators.
  Through flexible, market-based mechanisms, we have a tremendous 
opportunity to work with the developing world, allowing for economic 
growth and also reducing world, allowing for economic growth and also 
reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. As I have previously said, 
the United States and the rest of the developed world is not attempting 
to limit the economic growth of China or any other developing nation. 
China has the right to develop economically. But, based on the growing 
body of evidence and the potential consequences of increasing 
greenhouse gas concentrations, all economic development should be done 
in a responsible manner. The Chinese must recognize the importance of 
their role, and they should not ignore their responsibilities in 
addressing this shared problem. Global warming is a global problem. It 
is not just an American problem. It is not just a European problem. It 
is a global problem. And as such, it requires not just an American 
solution, not just a European solution, but a global solution.

  I wrote the President stating that, ``the combination of these 
efforts would be the right course of action and underscores how the 
Chinese could accept binding commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas 
emissions. Taken together, these steps would lead to a real reduction 
in emissions as well as global participation in the Kyoto Protocol.''
  Mr. President, I believe we should challenge the Administration to 
recognize the concerns of the Senate and the American people with 
regard to the Kyoto Protocol and its possible impact on the U.S. 
economy, but in saying this, I am also willing to seek a constructive 
dialogue focusing on addressing this important issue. Of all the 
significant concerns that the President will discuss with the Chinese 
during his visit, I believe that this is one of the most critical for 
the long-term relationship of both our nations. We have to begin to 
work together because our shared environmental futures are at stake, 
and the well-being of our people's futures--these are at stake.

                          ____________________