[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5926-S5927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself and Mr. Alexander):
  S. 1117. A bill to deepen the peaceful business and cultural 
engagement of the United States and the People's Republic of China, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill that aims to 
redefine and enhance the relationship between the People's Republic of 
China and the United States of America.
  At this point in our history we stand at the threshold of a new era 
in American Foreign policy and indeed of world history. For the first 
time ever an economic and military superpower is about to emerge 
without war or catastrophe: Asia's middle kingdom: the People's 
Republic of China, stands at the precipice of becoming one of the two 
most influential nations on Earth.
  I have always held that our foreign policy is best conducted when our 
values as a Nation form the basis of our policies. With that in mind, I 
stand before you today to introduce legislation that will deepen the 
scope and breadth of America's relationship with China through the 
reaching out of our Nation's hand in friendship.
  We introduce this with a bit of humility because history constantly 
shows us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 
Fortunately American history is filled with good ideas to guide us.
  Back in 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant told Congress that trade 
imbalances with China were threatening the viability of key United 
States' industries and warned that federal intervention might be needed 
to restore the balance of trade.
  That is true today and I am both sponsoring and supporting 
legislation to fairly revalue the Yuan so that U.S. industries and 
workers enjoy a fair playing field in the global market.
  But Grant also thought many problems with China could be solved if we 
just better understood Chinese language and culture. He proposed 
sending at least four American students a year to China to study the 
language and culture and who would then act as effective translators 
for business and government officials.
  Grant's idea was never acted on and years of unfortunate history 
separated China from the rest of the world anyway.
  But China is back and so are the challenges.
  Those versed in international affairs and trade are fully aware of 
China's emerging influence. However, our present education system is 
not equipped to supply the number of skilled professionals required to 
constructively interact with China. According to the 2000 Census there 
are about 2.2 million Americans that speak Chinese. Of that 2.2 
million, approximately 85-95 percent are Americans of Chinese descent. 
According to several studies there is a dearth of knowledge among 
college-bound students regarding Chinese cultural pillars like Mao 
Zedong in the United States. China, on the other hand, mandates English 
instruction beginning in--what we would call--the third grade. For 
every student we send to China to study there, they send 25 to study 
here.

  If you combine these findings with the fact that well over half of 
the 500 largest companies are currently invested in China, with many 
more drawing up plans to do so, it becomes clear to me that the talent 
pool for future American-produced leaders with expertise in Chinese 
affairs is woefully inadequate. If you take a look at China's top ten 
trading partners, seven of those have a trade surplus with China and 
most importantly, five of those seven have a significant population 
with deep-seated knowledge of Chinese language and culture. America 
needs more people with the expertise to transact with China in 
international affairs and

[[Page S5927]]

to increase the number of professionals that will assist both nations 
in growing and balancing our economic interdependency.
  The future repercussions of our lack of knowledge about Chinese 
culture are immense. The Chinese have just begun to compete with U.S. 
firms for precious natural resources to feed the exponential growth of 
their economy. China is the world's biggest consumer of steel and in 
another decade will be the biggest consumer of petroleum. Currently, 
China's middle class is the fastest growing anywhere in the world. Over 
400 of the world's Fortune 500 companies are invested in China's 
economy, which will soon be the largest consumer market in the world. 
Already, our trade with Asia is double that with Europe and is expected 
to exceed one trillion dollars annually before 2010. China, soon to be 
the biggest economic power in Asia, will play a large role in that 
growth. Consequently, the one in six U.S. jobs that are currently tied 
to international trade will grow substantially. If the U.S. is to grab 
a significant piece of China's burgeoning consumer market, we must 
begin by engaging China as experts of their culture.
  The United States-China Cultural Engagement Act of 2005 authorizes 
$1.3 billion over the five years after its enactment. This is a 
symbolic gesture for the recent birth of China's one billion three 
hundred millionth citizen. One may argue that is too much given other 
important--under-funded--national priorities. However, the dividend 
from this investment in our future business and government leaders pays 
for itself a hundred or even a million times over in opportunities for 
economic growth and in potential foreign crises that will be averted.
  In this legislation, I propose to significantly enhance our schools 
and academic institutions' ability to teach Chinese language and 
culture from elementary school through advanced degree studies. This 
act will expand student physical exchange programs with China as well 
as create a virtual exchange infrastructure for secondary school 
students that study Chinese. Initiatives were included, that offer the 
Department of State more flexibility in granting visas to Chinese 
scientists to come here and study at American academic institutions. 
For American businesses, I seek a substantial increase in Foreign 
Commercial Service officers stationed in China to uncover and 
facilitate more American export opportunities. For non-corporate 
entrepreneurs, provisions that provide for the expansion of state 
specific export centers and greater Small Business Administration 
outreach were also included.
  Engaging China as an ally in international affairs and as a partner 
in building economic prosperity is of the utmost importance to the 
United States. Only if we succeed in fostering this relationship can we 
have a future that is as bright as our past. Education experts, 
corporate leaders, and even some government officials have talked for 
sometime about the convergence of economic, demographic, and national 
security trends that require our young people to attain a greater level 
of international knowledge and skills to be successful as workers and 
citizens in our increasingly dynamic American economy.
  The rise of China comes with a whole set of challenges. But the 
ability to talk to and understand each other should not be among them.
  The United States-China Cultural Engagement Act sets forth a strategy 
for achieving that level of understanding and cooperation with China, I 
urge my colleagues to look favorably upon this measure.
                                 ______