Lindsey Graham: “In March of 1999, I traveled, for the first time, to the People's Republic of China with a number of our colleagues. At…”

“In March of 1999, I traveled, for the first time, to the People's Republic of China with a number of our colleagues. At the end of a long flight from Detroit to Beijing, I looked out the window as we were on the final approach to the airport. I was struck by the mass of humanity, from horizon to horizon, that lay before me. That scene underscored one of the greatest challenges in the 21st century, and it will be that we and China together take all necessary steps to work to assure and maintain peaceful relations between our peoples. With almost one-quarter of the world's population within its borders, China could represent the greatest threat to our Nation's national security. However, if we maintain a sense of respect and strive for peace between the United States and China, and if that remains among the highest priorities of U.S. diplomacy, we can continue to build the permanent institutional relationships that will give us the greatest assurance of peace in the years to come. As we enter the new millennium, I can think of no better way to demonstrate America's leadership than by advancing and expanding our trade and investment policy with the world's most populous nation.”