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Evans to Deliver a ''Strong Message'' to Beijing

WASHINGTON, DC - 10/27/03 - US Commerce Secretary Don Evans has begun an tomorrow begins an eight-day visit to deliver a "strong message" to China.

The Bush Administration "expects all of America's trading partners to compete on a level-playing field," said Evans, adding that he would emphasize "the Administration's determination to fight for American manufacturers and Americans workers competing in the global economy."

According to the Commerce Secretary, "China has lifted millions of people from poverty by taking important steps toward capitalism, but they have a long way to go. China's current trade practices are exploiting our open markets and are creating an unfair advantage that is undercutting American workers."

Americans, he said, "are willing to compete, on even terms, with China and any other country in the world as long as it is fair. China's economic success depends on free and fair trade with the US."

While in China, a Commerce spokesman said, Evans will discuss a variety of concerns voiced over the past several years by US manufacturers including what Washington sees as "inadequate access" to China's markets; "rampant" piracy of intellectual property in China; "forced" transfer of technology from firms launching joint ventures in China; trade barriers; and capital markets that are "largely insulated" from free-market pressures.

Earlier this year Evans traveled across the US to meet with manufacturers in order to better understand the challenges that the sector has experienced over the past couple of years.

"China needs to create an economic system that is more transparent, and one that allows capital to flow freely in response to market forces," he said. "America and the world have a strong interest in seeing China succeed. China's success begins with fair trade."

Evans will visit Xi'an and Beijing, China for several meetings with Chinese business and senior government leaders.

On October 30, Evans will give a speech on strengthening US-Japan relations before the American Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo and meet with senior government officials.

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