[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

[[Page 963]]

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.