AmCham in HK voices optimistic on NTR renewal for China
( 2001-05-25 21:22 ) (8 )

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) on Friday expressed optimistic about the prospects for the US unconditional renewal of Normal Trade Relations (NTR) for China.

AmCham's delegation, led by Chairman Paula DeLisle, was in Washington from May 14 to 17 to underscore the importance of stable US-China commercial relations for long-term and political stability in the region.

Following a week-long series of meetings with senior officials and policy makers in Washington, DeLisle said, a number of policy makers indicated to the AmCham delegation their willingness to "compartmentalize" politics from trade issues.

On Hong Kong's economic and political developments since its return to the motherland, many members of the congress as well as the US administration welcomed the AmCham team's "on the ground" accounts and insights on doing business in this thriving commercial center, DeLisle said.

"Our message was that four years into this unique experiment of 'One Country, Two Systems', the Amercian business community in Hong Kong remains bullish on Hong Kong's autonomy and commitment to the rule of law and traditional freedoms as promised in the Basic Law," DeLisle said.

The US legislation granting China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status was signed into law last October, contingent on China's entry in to the World Trade Organization. As China's current NTR status will expire before its WTO accession, another extension is necessitated.