U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

Department of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 10, 2005

NOVEMBER'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL NOT CHANGE U.S.-CHINA RELATIONSHIP
Evans To Press China On JCCT Commitments

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will travel to Beijing, China, January 12-13 to deliver the Bush Administration's message that last November's Presidential election will not change the U.S.-China relationship. Evans will tell senior Chinese officials that the Bush administration is committed to helping the U.S.-China trade relationship grow and remains focused on producing results. Evans will also press Chinese officials to live up to commitments they made last April during the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT).

"The Bush Administration is committed to building a strong economic relationship that will help both countries realize the benefits of global trade. However, trade on a level playing field has been incomplete and unacceptable," said Evans. "China must forcefully do more to lift barriers to free trade and confront widespread intellectual property theft that is undercutting American workers. China's willingness to tackle these challenges head-on will be the most important measure of the success or failure of its efforts."

On Wednesday, January 12, Evans will deliver remarks to the Am-Cham/U.S.-China Business Council where he will praise both groups for the work they have done in advancing the economic relationship between the United States and China.

Evans will also deliver the keynote address to the Ambassador's Forum on International Property Rights Protection on Thursday, January 13 where he will urge China to produce more results in eliminating piracy in order to further strengthen the U.S.-China trade relationship.

Also during his visit to Beijing, Evans will meet with senior Chinese government officials to discuss ways China can further follow through with commitments they have made to eliminate piracy and open the China market to U.S. goods and services.

Evans' visit underscores the Bush Administration's continued commitment to aggressively address issues that inhibit free and fair trade with China and to build an enduring economic partnership that will help bring jobs and economic prosperity to both countries.