U.S. and Hong Kong (1985-1997)

02 October 1997

COMMERCE 10/2 ON SEC. DALEY'S TRIP TO CHINA, HONG KONG

Following is the text of the press release:

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COMMERCE SECRETARY WILLIAM DALEY TRAVELS TO HONG KONG AND CHINA TO ADVANCE U.S. COMMERCIAL RELATIONS IN REGION

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Commerce Secretary William M. Daley will travel to China and Hong Kong October 3-10 to co-chair the 11th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Beijing, and to open the first China U.S. Telecommunications Summit (CUSTS) in Dalian. Secretary Daley will also meet with officials in Hong Kong, which will be marking its first 100 days as the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Secretary Daley's visit will address the enormous opportunities and challenges for Americans doing business in China, the world's fastest growing developing economy. Daley's official meetings and appearances will also help set the stage for the upcoming visit of President Jiang Zemin to the U.S. at the end of October. This meeting with President Clinton will mark the second U.S.-China summit since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979.

"The evolution of China as a global power in the next century will have an enormous impact on the security and prosperity of the American people. That is why engaging the Chinese and advancing our commercial relations with China and Hong Kong is a top priority for President Clinton and this Administration," Daley said. "A major goal of this visit is to have discussions with my Chinese counterparts about an improved climate for American businesses in China and the need for some significant market opening measures by the Chinese government. Some of the best global opportunities exist in these markets and U.S. businesses must be well-positioned to help the region meet the ever-increasing demands of economic expansion."

In Hong Kong, Secretary Daley will reiterate U.S. support for Hong Kong's economic future and meet with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Secretary of Trade and Industry Denise Yue, and Chief Secretary Anson Chan. He will also address the American Chamber of Commerce, and meet with senior Hong Kong and American business executives.

In Beijing, the Secretary will co-chair, along with Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Wu Yi, the 11th session of the U.S.-China JCCT. The JCCT's three working groups will hold sessions covering trade and investment, business development, and commercial law.

While in China, Secretary Daley will advocate on behalf of U.S. companies and address specific problems such as cooperation in standards and agreement on a project financing seminar. Export Import Bank Vice Chair, Jackie Clegg will join Secretary Daley on the visit. An additional objective is to broaden the nature of the JCCT from a once-a-year event to a continuing process that will be the center of the U.S.-China commercial dialogue throughout the year.

Meeting with high-level officials in Beijing, the Secretary will address the growing bilateral trade deficit and the need for faster Chinese import growth. China's rapid domestic growth also has not translated into rapid import growth, as its protected economy develops behind high trade barriers.

From Beijing, Secretary Daley will go to Dalian for the first China-U. S. Telecommunications Summit (CUSTS), where 20 U.S. companies will join the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications Information Administration and officials from the White House, State Department, and the Federal Communications Commission. This telecommunications Summit provides and opportunity for important government-to-government discussions on policy and regulatory reform and an opportunity for U.S. companies to promote business in the Chinese telecommunications market. The Secretary will join China's minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minister Wu Jichuan to open the conference, and he will also meet Mayor of Dalian Bo Xilai.

SCHEDULE OF U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY WILLIAM M. DALEY VISIT TO HONG KONG, BEIJING AND DALIAN, CHINA
OCTOBER 6-10, 1997

Schedule is subject to change

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6
9:30 - 10:15 am		Meeting with Secretary of Trade and Industry Denise Yue, Central Government Offices Photo-Op Only
11:00 - 11:45 am		Meeting with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, 705-708 Asia Pacific Finance Tower, Citibank Plaza Photo-Op Only
12:00 - 12:40 pm		Meeting with Anson Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration, Central Government Offices Photo-Op Only
12:45 - 2:00 pm		Luncheon Speech before the American Chamber of Commerce, Conrad Hotel, Ballroom
2:15 - 2:45		Press Availability, Conrad Hotel
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Beijing, China
10:30 - 11:00 am		North Creek site visit and signing ceremony, Beijing Technical Services Center
2:15 - 2:30 pm		Meeting with Minister Wu Yi, MOFTEC, Photo-Op Only
2:30 pm		JCCT Opening Plenary Session, MOFTEC, 1st Floor Conference Room, Open for Photo-Op and welcoming remarks only
4:00 - 5:00 pm		Bilateral meetings with Chinese Officials Photo-Op Only
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
Beijing, China
10:00 - 11:00 am		Bilateral meetings with Chinese Officials Photo-Op Only
12-30 - 1:45		Keynote Speech before Beijing American Chamber of Commerce, Great Wall Sheraton Hotel
1:45 - 2:30		Press Availability, Great Wall Sheraton Hotel
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
Dalian, China
Beijing, China
9:00 - 9:45		Inaugural Ceremony for the Chinese-U.S. Telecommunications Summit, Dalian
11:00 - 11:30 am		Meeting with Mayor Bo Yilai (Dalian) Photo-Op Only
3:15 - 4:00 pm		Joint Press Conference with Minister Wu Yi, MOFTEC, Beijing
4:15 - 6:00 pm		Meetings with Chinese Officials, Beijing Photo-Op Only

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