Political Quotes

“as we move ahead into the post-cold-war world, we find ourselves increasingly challenged to better understand the People's Republic of China which remained for so long closed to us, and to foster new relationships that will enable us to ensure our economic and national security. The United States has greatly enhanced its trade, cultural ties, and influence on this once closed society. In fact, United States trade with China has increased from $4.8 billion in 1980--when we first extended most favored nation trading status to China--to $57.3 billion in 1995. These numbers reflect growing American economic influence on China--a stabilizing factor to a nation whose government has frequently demonstrated erratic, extreme, and inexcusable behavior. It is in our interest to build on our relationship with PRC. We want to encourage increased trade for our own economic benefit, and we want to bring the benefits of our thriving and open society to the Chinese people. While we should strive to foster stronger relations, we should never do so at the expense of our own national interests. There is no need to provoke disputes just for the sake of flexing national muscle, but we cannot continue to ignore China's egregious violations in the area of arms control and basic human rights. If we want agreements and accepted international standards to have any teeth, we must be willing to risk dispute when our resolve is tested.”