The Clinton administration has had as a central goal of its foreign policy, the integration of China into the world community. But both knew of the perils that surround Sino-American relations and both knew of the propensity of this endeavour for failure. China under Nationalists sign General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
Communists win control of China.
New optimism, but economic downturn leads to new series of Chinese protectionist policies. Talks restart as China tries to attract back wary foreign investors and make a success of Premier Zhu Rongji's April visit to Washington. With Mr. Zhu in Washington, negotiators working around the clock fail to agree on several key points. 3 Mr. Zhu could not agree to such conditions. Meanwhile, bureaucrats in powerful ministries said WTO membership would destroy China's money-losing state enterprises and shatter its fragile banks.