DATE=3/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / CHINA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260139
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  Six former Secretaries of State have written a 
letter urging Congress to approve permanent normal 
trade relations with China.  From the State 
Department, V-O-A's Kyle King reports.

TEXT:  Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced 
the release of the letter by her six predecessors, who 
say it is in the U-S national interest to have a 
stable and predictable relationship with China.

The letter was signed by Henry Kissinger, Alexander 
Haig, George Shultz, James Baker, Lawrence 
Eagleberger, and Warren Christopher.

It urges Congress to approve the World Trade 
Organization Agreement negotiated by the 
administration in November.  It also urges Congress to 
approve the permanent normalization of U-S trade 
relations with China. 

Secretary of State Albright says the letter recognizes 
that it is in the long term U-S interest to engage 
China.

            /// ALBRIGHT ACT /// 4

      Within China it would encourage the rule of law 
      and spur the development of a more open society.  

            /// END ACT ///

The Clinton administration has been lobbying hard to 
secure Congressional approval of legislation granting 
China normal trade relations.

Such an agreement would allow China to have the same 
low-tariff access to the U-S market as most other 
nations.  U-S officials say it would also allow U-S 
access to the Chinese market.

Chinese officials say even if they fail to secure a 
trade agreement with the United States they will 
continue to push for membership in the World Trade 
Organization.   (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/RAE



13-Mar-2000 14:57 PM EDT (13-Mar-2000 1957 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.