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FM Spokeswoman on Passage of PNTR Bill
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said here today that the passage of the bill granting China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status by the US House of Representatives is "wise."
The US House of Representatives approved the bill in a 237- 197 vote.
It should be pointed out that granting PNTR status to China is an obligation of the United States in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, said Zhang.
She pointed out that settlement of the PNTR issue constitutes the basis and prerequisite for carrying out the Sino-US bilateral agreement on China's WTO accession.
Settlement of the PNTR issue will not only help both China and the United States develop trade and economic ties on the basis of equality and mutual-benefit, but also help create conditions for the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations.
However, "the bill contains articles which attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests under the pretext of human rights and others," which "the Chinese side pays close attention to and dissatisfied with."
According to Zhang, the Chinese government has already made solemn representations to the US government regarding this issue, clearly announcing that China is firmly opposed to these articles and will not accept them.
China urged the US side to earnestly abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques, basic norms governing international relations and rules of the WTO, to guarantee the healthy and stable growth of Sino-US relations and bilateral trade and economic ties.
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