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America's economic and labour interests will be best served by a positive vote on Permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (April 7, US time) in the US capital.
Speaking in Washington D.C. after meetings with President Bill Clinton in the White House and an address to the influential US Chamber of Commerce, Mr Tung said: "I think it is really in American interests for this bill to be passed.
"It is in American business interests. It is in American labour interests because it will create more jobs in America.
"Trade with China today is worth about US$21 billion. I understand this creates about 250,000 jobs.
"It has been estimated that trade with China will double within six, eight years or so. So even if American companies don't increase their trade share - and I think they will - let's say it increases to US$42 billion. Just think of the number of jobs that would be created.
"Labour standards today in China are far better than they were 22 years ago. So if American labour unions really care about labour standards please support PNTR.
"I think it's good for America. It's a win-win situation."
Mr Tung said that if the PNTR vote did not go through American companies would not benefit as greatly as other countries from China's entry to the WTO.
"The Japanese companies and the European companies will take advantage of the whole situation," he said
Mr Tung stressed the importance of a positive PNTR vote for Hong Kong. He said Hong Kong's economy was just starting to recover from the impact of the Asian financial turmoil.
"A positive vote on PNTR would really give us a substantial boost in making that a solid recovery," he said.
"Even for little Hong Kong, I want to appeal to you to please make sure your Congressmen and Senators vote the right way, for our sake."
Mr Tung also addressed concerns raised in the US by human rights groups.
He said human rights in China today were overwhelmingly better than 22 years ago, when China first embarked on its 'open door' policy.
"Twenty-two years ago, according to the United Nations, over 300 million people lived under the poverty line," he said.
"Today the number is way down to 60, 70 million people. To those people who really care about human rights they should support PNTR. That would be my answer to you."
Mr Tung left Washington today for a short break in San Francisco. He will fly to Los Angeles on Monday for meetings with Disney executives and a briefing on environmental protection measures.
Ends/Saturday, April 8, 2000
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