U.S.-China Commercial Ties Strengthened
During Beijing Visit
U.S. Trade and Development Agency Grants Signed,
JCCT Adopts Work Plan for Close Cooperation
on Key Issues

Secretary Evans and the American business delegation look on as the U.S. TDA grant agreements are signed

Beijing- U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans and 15 American business leaders wrapped up a productive visit to Beijing today and headed for Shanghai with high hopes for the future of commercial relations between the U.S. and China.

During the first U.S. business development mission to China since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the American delegation met with Chinese and American business leaders and government officials, including President Jiang Zemin and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng.

"It is clear to me that China is on an exciting path toward a market economy. During this visit, I have felt the energy and enthusiasm of the people of China, and I share their high hopes for a bright future, and for building even stronger ties between our two countries," Evans said.

The American business delegation today witnessed the signing of four U.S. Trade and Development Agency (U.S. TDA) grant agreements that will provide funding for projects in China in leading-edge fields such as e-commerce, renewable energy, the environment, and aviation.

"These agreements support and promote U.S. exports to China and further illustrate the commitment of the United States to China as it moves to reform its economy and implement its World Trade Organization obligations," Evans said.

U.S. TDA's Chief of Staff Carl Kress and Chinese leaders today signed grant agreements to provide management and technical support to Sinopec International in the development of on an e-procurement platform; to fund a study on the increasing use of U.S. geothermal heat pump technology in China; to provide technical assistance for the preparation of a World Bank loan application for a solid waste management and disposal project; and to fund a feasibility study to modernize and expand air traffic information flow in China.

The U.S. TDA will also be offering grants to survey market trends in natural gas in the Sichuan Basin and outline alternative gas-pricing options and methodologies, and to fund the establishment of a U.S.-China Natural Gas Training Institute. U.S. TDA also is planning a potential grant to fund a World Trade Organization (WTO) e-learning program that will provide guidance to both Chinese government officials and citizens on WTO implementation.

TDA, a U.S. government-funded program, assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. TDA boasts nearly $40 in exports for every dollar invested in TDA activities.

Also today, Evans and Shi co-chaired a meeting of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation and Trade, a forum for addressing issues critical to continued economic cooperation between their two countries. Issues of importance were raised, and the discussions were constructive.

The U.S. participants expressed concerns about intellectual property right protection, new regulations in China on private express delivery services, export control end-use visits, the sanctity of contracts and issuing of insurance licenses to American companies. Chinese participants raised Section 201 safeguards on steel imports to the U.S., high technology export controls, anti-dumping procedures and the General System of Preferences (GSP). Although the forum made progress in many areas, differences remain. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue discussions on these and other unresolved issues. Both sides also agreed to expand the JCCT framework through additional contacts at the sub-cabinet level and through regular telephone discussions between Evans and Shi.

Among the achievements of the JCCT session were agreement to proceed with training exchanges on World Trade Organization responsibilities and increased private-sector participation in the work of the JCCT.