We should avoid overreaching in isolating ourselves from China, not so much because of loss of economic opportunity but because of the risk of losing a valuable opportunity to connect with the Chinese. We can help accelerate the evolution of this ancient and proud society in a thoughtful and environmentally sensitive manner. Failing to do this, and thus freezing China into a hostile posture, is not good long-term policy for the United States, it is not good for China and it is not good for the world. It would be a grave mistake to approve this resolution disallowing Normal Trade Relations. I cannot stress enough the impact of this committee's leadership.
Trade is a language that people understand.
This is the first major item in regard to China on the agenda since all the furor broke out over the embassy bombing and the Cox Report. Your guidance and leadership is going to help set the tone for this next important stage of the Chinese-American relationship.