    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 16, 1997]
    [Page 963]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the China-United States Fisheries
    Agreement
    July 16, 1997

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
    Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), I transmit herewith an
    Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the
    Government of the People's Republic of China Extending the Agreement of
    July 23, 1985, Concerning Fisheries Off the Coasts of the United States,
    with Annexes and Agreed Minutes, as amended and extended. This
    Agreement, which was effected by an exchange of notes at Beijing on June
    6 and July 1, 1996, extends the 1985 Agreement to July 1, 1998.
        In light of the importance of our fisheries relationship with the
    People's Republic of China, I urge that the Congress give favorable
    consideration to this Agreement at an early date.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    July 16, 1997.