Without a policy of engagement, this type of trip and the benefits of it would not be possible. The reality is that China has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. From 1979 to 1997, China's real GDP grew at an average annual rate of 9.9 percent. At this rate China could double the size of its economy every 10 years. I represent the San Joaquin Valley of California.
China is currently the sixth largest export market for U.S. agricultural goods.
With 1.2 billion people and limited arable land, China must rely on imports to satisfy its demand for food. USDA estimates that two-thirds of the future growth in U.S. farm exports will be in Asia and 50 percent of that increase will come from China alone. We must maintain our ability to be a reliable supplier of agricultural products. Our competitors in the world market, Australia, Europe, Canada and South America, stand ready to fill the needs of China into the next century, if we cut off trade. Our ultimate goal must be to fully integrate China into the world trading arena as a full participant.