The US wishes to increase its hi-tech exports to
China,?visiting Under Secretary of Commerce David H. McCormick
said in Beijing on Monday. ?
"We need to do everything possible to ensure US export control
policies are not standing in the way of US civilian technology
transfers to China," said McCormick at a roundtable meeting with
press during his China visit. ?
He said the US would update "export policies to China" and seek
out ways to reduce the administrative burden on civilian trade. The
US official added that the policies should not "discourage civilian
technology trade."
In the past few years there'd been many constructive steps in
promoting civilian technology trade, said McCormick. The amount of
time it took for export licenses to be granted had been cut by
almost a quarter to less than 40 days, he observed.
"We don't want to be a burden on industries and this has been a
great improvement," he said.
In the past, the export controls have been a major trade
obstacle between China and the US. The Chinese government believes
the policies have greatly contributed to the trade imbalance
between the two nations.
The American companies doing businesses in China are not happy
with the controls either. In an annual report released last week
the American Chamber of Commerce in China said that 44 percent of
US-funded companies surveyed said they lost significant sales in
China because of US policies.
The chamber appealed to Washington to relax export controls in
sectors such as high technology.
"We completely agree with the chamber and are looking for ways
to reduce the licensing burden and increase hi-tech exports to
China," said McCormick. He said he would meet with the chamber to
help continue to increase hi-tech trade with China.
(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)