    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 18, 2000]
    [Pages 962-963]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Permanent Normal Trade Relations With China
    May 18, 2000

        The President.  Good morning. It's always good to have Chairman
    Greenspan back at the White House, and I'm
    especially pleased that he has come today to join me in voicing his
    support for permanent normal trade relations with China. We all know
    that when Chairman Greenspan talks, the world listens. I just hope that
    Congress is listening today.
        Many Members remain undecided, and we are doing everything we
    possibly can to round up each and every potential vote. I'm encouraged
    by the vote in the committees in both Houses, including both Republican
    and Democratic members, to overwhelmingly approve extending permanent
    normal trade relations with China. This legislation now goes before the
    full Congress.
        All the former Presidents support it, along with former Secretaries
    of State, Defense, Trade, Transportation, National Security Advisers,
    Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, religious leaders, many of the
    courageous people in China fighting for human rights and the rule of
    law.
        Momentum is building, but we've still got a challenging fight. I
    thank Chairman Greenspan for coming here
    today, and I'd like for him to say whatever is on his mind about this
    issue.
        Mr. Chairman.

     [At this point, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan
    Greenspan made brief remarks.]

        The President.  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to say that, first, I believe that
    Chairman Greenspan has established a pretty good record for knowing what
    is in America's economic interest. He has once again reiterated, clearly
    and unambiguously, that this agreement exchanges membership rights for
    China in the WTO for economic opportunities for America in China, for
    American businesses and American workers, without the tariffs and
    technology transfer requirements and production in China requirements
    and other requirements which have limited our ability to benefit from
    their market for too long. So economically, the case is clear and
    compelling.
        But I would also like to emphasize here the national security
    aspects of this, and the human and political rights aspects. You've
    heard Chairman Greenspan address the human and political rights aspects,
    and make the point that increasing access to a market economy increases
    personal freedom in other ways. I will just cite one example, which is
    that China has gone from 2 million to 9 million to 20 million Internet
    users over the last 3 years. And it was exploding again this year. We do
    not know where it will be next year, but this is a profoundly
    significant thing.
        That's why Martin Lee came all the way from
    Hong Kong. That's why people who have been, themselves, oppressed in
    China have pleaded with us to support this, because they know getting
    into a rules-based system and promoting

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    economic competition will both enhance the march of liberty and law and
    human rights.
        The other point I would like to make is, there is a serious national
    security issue here. We do not know what China will choose to do in the
    future, and China will make that decision for itself. But we know that
    one decision will dramatically increase the chances of a constructive
    relationship with China in a stable Asia, and the other will
    dramatically increase the chances of a less happy outcome. That's why
    Japan and North Korea, Thailand and the Philippines, our democratic
    allies in northeast Asia, are for this.
        If you want to reduce tensions along the Taiwan Strait, if you want
    a more stable Asia, if you want to maximize the chances of avoiding
    proliferation of dangerous weapons and a new arms race, a yes is the
    right vote.
        Last point. As has been well-documented by those of you in our
    press, it is indeed ironic that the only people in China who want this
    vote to fail are the more reactionary elements of the military,
    economic, and political structure, who do not want to give up control
    and may need America as a continuing adversary to maintain that control
    and that capacity to repress liberty and human rights.
        I believe the issue is profound and clear. And I am grateful for
    what Chairman Greenspan has said today.
        Thank you very much.

     Note:  The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Hong Kong Democratic Party
    Chair Martin Lee. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Chairman Greenspan.