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A US Congressional delegation visiting Shanghai expressed support of China's entry into the World Trade Organization yesterday.
"Every single one of us here will support China's entry into WTO after what we have seen here," said delegation member, Bob Etheridge, Democrat from North Carolina, when he visited CNH Global NV located in Pudong New Area. "The entry will directly link the two countries and benefit both them and countries around the world." "We agree to help improve understanding about how WTO access will work here in China and how it will improve the strong Sino-US relationship," added Matt Salmon, Republican from Arizona, leader of the six-member delegation. Mei Zhaorong, president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, noted people are now closely watching whether the US Congress will grant permanent normal trade relations (NTR) to China in the near future in order to realize hard-won market access agreements reached between the two governments. "We want the delegation to leave CNH sharing our view China is one of the most important future markets for US companies, particularly once many of the current trade restrictions are eased or lifted with China's entry into WTO," said Rich Christman, company senior vice-president. "China's entry into the WTO will substantially enhance the competitive position of US companies like us who are poised to benefit greatly from a more open and competitive Chinese market," added Christman. Before visiting CNH, the delegation went to visit Motorola. Salmon said he had been very impressed with the successes of US businesses here and their Chinese colleagues working with them. Most delegation members come from agricultural states and have shown their interest in agricultural equipment produced by CNH, a leading manufacturer of agricultural tractors. "That's great," said Etheridge with a big smile when he was invited to have a go at operating a loader back-hoe tractor. While the Congress members met businessmen and government officials, their wives toured a local children's hospital. "They also went bargain-hunting in Shanghai which should have helped improve the city's economy too," joked Salmon. The delegation met city government officials yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to leave for Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan Province today Shanghai Star |
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