Bill Clinton: “Status for China June 24, 1997 This past weekend, I was proud to host the leaders of the major industrial democracies at…”

“Status for China June 24, 1997 This past weekend, I was proud to host the leaders of the major industrial democracies at the Summit of the Eight in Denver. We discussed ways to make the 21st century safer, more secure, and more prosperous for all our people, and how we need to reach out to the world to ensure our well-being at home. Today's vote in the House of Representatives to continue our normal trading relations with China enhances our ability to do just that--and to deepen our cooperation with the largest country in the world. I'm especially pleased to see this vote had strong bipartisan support. It sends a clear signal to our friends and foes alike that when it comes to America's security and prosperity, our Nation speaks with one voice. Today's vote was a vote for America's interests. It makes clear that the right way to encourage further progress in China is not to cut China off but to draw China in. China is home to nearly one-fourth the world's population and is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Our steady engagement has expanded areas of cooperation, from stopping nuclear testing to promoting stability on the Korean Peninsula; from combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and pollution to protecting American intellectual property rights. And already, we sell $12 billion worth of exports to China every year--supporting tens of thousands of good American jobs. Preserving normal trade relations does not mean endorsement of all of China's policies.…”