U.S. Chamber Chairman, President Join Hong Kong Business Leaders for China Trade Talks

ATLANTA, GA – The United States Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of breaking down the barriers to free trade with China during the Hong Kong/U.S. Business Council's annual plenary session, held today in Atlanta.

"The business community is committed to giving American companies, workers and farmers every opportunity to remain competitive in the global marketplace," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Bringing China into the rules-based WTO and extending normal trade relations will ensure U.S. products and services find a more open market in Asia."

Donohue and Chamber Chairman Steve Van Andel met with business representatives from both the U.S. and Hong Kong during the session, which is in its 16th year. The session was hosted by Douglas Daft, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, and head of the U.S. arm of the Hong Kong/U.S. Business Council. Ronnie Chan, head of the Council's Hong Kong section, was also in attendance.

The plenary session provided a forum to exchange ideas on a series of bilateral and regional trade issues. A focal point of the discussions included the implications of China's accession to the WTO for Hong Kong. Participants also identified several priority issues within the transportation, information technology and financial services sectors for both economies.

The Chamber believes open trade with China will open up the country's vast market to American companies of all sizes, while ensuring that China abides by international rules and regulations, and that lower trade barriers and tariffs mean new opportunities for businesses, more jobs, better wages and economic growth.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

# # #

01-117