Dialogue Facilitates U.S.-China Relations: Business Leader

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 26, 2002

Dialogue Facilitates U.S.-China Relations: Business Leader

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Heightened Dialogue between the U.S. and Chinese leaders will strengthen the overall relationship, and thereby encourage increased bilateral trade and investment, said Steve Van Andel, chairman of the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCOC), Tuesday.

U.S. President Bush had just concluded his working visit to China on the 30th anniversary of issuing of the Shanghai Communique and President Richard Nixon's visit in 1972.

Van Andel said that the importance of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship is now being given renewed prominence.

In 1972, Nixon accomplished an "ice-breaking" journey to China and realized the monumental meetings with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai, which "lifted a curtain that had separated the two countries".

"While differences remain, leaders of both countries have looked to common economic interests to strengthen the overall bilateral relationship," said Van Andel.

He said, "Recent accomplishments, such as China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, are indicative of the progress achieved as a result of this relationship and China's emergence as a respected member of the international community."

He noted that in an increasingly complex world, a constructive U.S.-China relationship will provide much needed support in facing the challenges that lie before the two countries.

"While I view China's WTO entry as a watershed event in the history of U.S.-China relations, it is critical that leaders of both countries continue to build upon this foundation of mutual trust and respect, and support the kind of exchanges necessary to maintain the overall bilateral relationship," he said.

Van Andel is also president of the U.S.-based Amway with its business spreading to more than 80 countries and regions. Amway launched business in China in 1995 and has so far set up 58 chain shops in 26 provinces and regions throughout the country. By the end of 2000, Amway has turned in taxes totaling 1.16 billion yuan.

He said, "More significant than the growth of any individual U. S. business in China is the appreciation by U.S. companies for the tremendous potential of the rapidly developing Chinese market." .

The manufacturing sector has made significant investment among a broad range of industries, he said, adding that an increase of investment will be seen in the service industries.

Stressing that opportunities for trade and development are reciprocal to both countries and key to the world economy, he said, "I chose China to be the first destination as soon as I chair the USCOC. In the coming months, I shall lead a delegation of several small and medium-sized companies to China to explore commercial opportunities."

Van Andel also planned to visit 50 to 60 branch offices of the USCOC, introducing Amway's practices in China to local firms.

Statistics show China is the fourth largest trading partner of the U.S., while the U.S. is the second largest in trading, the largest exporting market, and the biggest investor for China. Trade volume between China and the United States totaled nearly 600 billion U.S. dollars from 1979 when the diplomatic ties between the two countries was established till the end of last year. In 2001, U.S.-China trade volume reached 80.5 billion U.S. dollars, equaling 32.8 times of that of the 1979.

Van Andel has for long term dedicated to promoting U.S.-China trade and investment. He has been a strong proponent of China's WTO entry, as well as a long-term supporter for the normalization of US-China trade and the U.S. granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China.

USCOC, as the U.S. largest commercial organization, holds 3 million members, 3,000 local chambers, 850 commercial associations and 87 overseas agencies.

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