HONG KONG: US COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN PRESS CONFERENCE

(19 Oct 1995) English/Nat

US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown has given an upbeat address to Hong Kong's American Chamber of Commerce following his visit to China.

He told the businessmen US-China relations, though strained of late, have come a long way.

He also said negotiations towards China joining the World Trade Organisation should continue.

Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown met American business executives in Hong Kong over breakfast to brief them on his trip to China.

He's spent two days in Beijing meeting with Chinese officials who assured him they were committed to a strong relationship with the U-S.

SOUNDBITE:
Consider for a moment America's China policy. At no time in our nation's history has there been more dialogue, has there been more exchange at the working level, at the ministerial level or at the level of head of state. Despite all of the trials and tribulations we have faced in the past couple of years we have kept talking.
SUPER CAPTION: Ron Brown, US Commerce Secretary

Reporters asked Brown about America's policy towards Taiwan.

Mainland China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and the U-S has no formal diplomatic relations with the island.

A recent visit to the U-S by Taiwan's President ruffled the Chinese Government and Brown tried to reassure Beijing.

SOUNDBITE:
The United States' position is very clear. It has not changed one iota. We think there is only one legitimate legal entity, that is the People's Republic of China. We have a one China policy. There has been no change in the policy of the United States.
SUPERCAPTION: Ron Brown, US Commerce Secretary

Brown was also asked about the trade deficit between China and the U-S.

SOUNDBITE:
It's a new position that China has now to say that there's a trade surplus in favour of the United States. I haven't seen any data that supports that. Whoever's figures you believe, the fact is we have a trade deficit with China. It's too big, it's moving in the wrong direction and we need to assure that it moves in the right direction. One of the big problems we have is market access.
SUPER CAPTION: Ron Brown, US Commerce Secretary

Brown blamed heavy Chinese bureaucracy in part for the slow progress in increasing trade.

But he said if piracy and red tape could be combated the future would be bright.

Later Brown met Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten at Government House.

The two had half an hour of talks before Brown left the territory.

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