Reply #18: some of Cheney's visit to China [View All]

[UpInArms]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10601-2004Apr14.html

In addition to tackling the tough Taiwan and North Korea portfolios, Cheney's discussions covered economic disputes with China -- the third largest trading partner of the United States. China said Vice Premier Huang Ju would travel to Washington later this year to meet with Treasury Secretary John Snow for further discussions on having China adopt a more flexible currency exchange rate. Cheney also made a pitch for U.S. companies to be tapped to sell China nuclear reactors as it seeks to substantially boost its use of nuclear power. China put out international contract bids earlier this year to build four plants, and Westinghouse is competing with Japanese and French firms for the multi-billion dollar contracts.

Wen told Cheney the Bush administration should ease restrictions against exports of high-technology products to China and grant it full market status "as soon as possible" as part of a "five-point agreement" to develop bilateral trade, the official New China News Agency said. Full market-economy status would insulate China against charges it is dumping its goods by selling them abroad at below production prices.