10
May 2001
"During
our meeting at the White House a year ago, I told President Clinton
that the next time he came to Hong Kong, we should meet to discuss the
progress of China's opening up to trade and the rule of law. The recent
downhill turn in US-China relations has caused us to be concerned about
its impact on China's accession to the WTO, and whether the US Congress
is likely to reconsider PNTR (permanent Normal Trade Relations) status
for China," said Lee.
The
Democrats met previously with President Clinton and Members of Congress
to press for PNTR for China. "I said it last year, and I will
say it again, that China's entry into the WTO is a crucial first step
towards establishing the rule of law in China," said Lee. "My goal for this meeting is to share my thoughts with
President Clinton who was instrumental in passing the China trade bill. As of late, the process has been stalled
and my party and I are committed to do whatever we can to further progress
on this issue."
The Democrat Party argues that PNTR and WTO membership for China would help China transform from the "rule by law" in which the law can often become a tool of repression to the "rule of law."
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