    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [June 3, 1999]
    [Page 874]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Decision To Extend Normal Trade Relations Status With
    China
    June 3, 1999

        I have decided to renew Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status with
    China, so that we will continue to extend to China the same trade
    treatment we provide to virtually every other country on Earth.
    Maintaining NTR with China, as every U.S. President has done since 1980,
    will promote America's economic and security interests, and I urge
    Congress to support this decision.
        NTR with China is good for Americans. Our exports to China have
    quadrupled over the past decade. Exports to China and Hong Kong support
    some 400,000 American jobs. Revoking NTR would derail ongoing
    negotiations to increase our access to China's market and to promote
    economic reforms there.
        Trade also remains a force for social change in China, spreading the
    tools, contacts, and ideas that promote freedom. A decade ago at
    Tiananmen, when Chinese citizens courageously demonstrated for
    democracy, they were met by violence from a regime fearful of change. We
    continue to speak and work strongly for human rights in China. A
    continued policy of principled, purposeful engagement reinforces these
    efforts to move China toward greater openness and broader freedom. This
    is the path to lasting stability and prosperity for China, to a future
    that will benefit the Chinese people--and the American people.
        We pursue engagement with our eyes wide open, without illusions. We
    continue to speak frankly about our differences and to firmly protect
    our national interests. A policy of disengagement and confrontation
    would only strengthen those in China who oppose greater openness and
    freedom.
        Therefore, I am committed to bringing China into global structures,
    to promote China's adherence to global norms on human rights, weapons of
    mass destruction, crime and drugs, immigration, the environment, and on
    trade. I am determined to pursue an agreement for China to join the
    World Trade Organization on viable commercial terms. This is not a favor
    to China but a means of opening and reforming China's markets and
    holding China to the rules of the global trading system--developments
    that will benefit America. Accordingly, I am prepared to work closely
    with Congress to secure permanent NTR status for China in the context of
    a commercially strong WTO agreement.

    Note: The related memorandum is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume. The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of
    1998, Public Law 105-206, section 5003, changed the term ``most-favored-
    nation'' status to ``normal trade relations'' status.