Commerce Announces Signing of "Guidelines for U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Development"
On
December 11, 2007, the U.S. Department of
Commerce announced the
signing of "Guidelines for U.S.-China High
Technology and Strategic Trade Development"
("Guidelines") by the U.S. Department of
Commerce and China's Ministry of Commerce
(MOFCOM). The Guidelines were signed by Under
Secretary of Commerce Mario Mancuso and MOFCOM
Vice Minister Wei Jiangguo in Beijing as part of
the 18th Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade
(JCCT).
Commerce states that the Guidelines outline the importance of working cooperatively to achieve the mutual benefits of promoting U.S. high technology exports to China. Under the Guidelines, the Commerce Department and MOFCOM will continue to review U.S. dual-use policy to identity and implement appropriate processes to streamline the licensing process for legitimate civilian trade. Commerce states that the Guidelines also recognize the critical role of end-use visits in ensuring the protection of U.S. national security interests in the enhancement of high technology trade.
"These Guidelines are a positive step forward for bilateral, civilian high technology trade, " said Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez. "The Guidelines recognize China's status as the fastest growing export market for U.S. exports and memorialize our respective commitments to communicate and cooperate, through such forums as the JCCT, to promote the development of safe, secure high technology and strategic trade between our two countries."
The Guidelines were developed by BIS and MOFCOM under the auspices of the U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group (HTWG). The HTWG was established at the 2005 JCCT as a mechanism for furthering U.S.-China cooperation on export control and high technology trade issues.
Commerce also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Expand U.S. Exports to China, which would expand U.S. exports to 14 "second-tier cities" in China - "cities that, like the larger urban centers, are home to China's burgeoning middle class." Under the MOU, China will work with the Commerce Department to strengthen networks to reach more Chinese consumers and bring new technology and services to more regions in China.
In total, 11 agreements were signed at the signing ceremony on December 11, 2007. The complete list can be found here.
Commerce states that the Guidelines outline the importance of working cooperatively to achieve the mutual benefits of promoting U.S. high technology exports to China. Under the Guidelines, the Commerce Department and MOFCOM will continue to review U.S. dual-use policy to identity and implement appropriate processes to streamline the licensing process for legitimate civilian trade. Commerce states that the Guidelines also recognize the critical role of end-use visits in ensuring the protection of U.S. national security interests in the enhancement of high technology trade.
"These Guidelines are a positive step forward for bilateral, civilian high technology trade, " said Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez. "The Guidelines recognize China's status as the fastest growing export market for U.S. exports and memorialize our respective commitments to communicate and cooperate, through such forums as the JCCT, to promote the development of safe, secure high technology and strategic trade between our two countries."
The Guidelines were developed by BIS and MOFCOM under the auspices of the U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group (HTWG). The HTWG was established at the 2005 JCCT as a mechanism for furthering U.S.-China cooperation on export control and high technology trade issues.
Commerce also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Expand U.S. Exports to China, which would expand U.S. exports to 14 "second-tier cities" in China - "cities that, like the larger urban centers, are home to China's burgeoning middle class." Under the MOU, China will work with the Commerce Department to strengthen networks to reach more Chinese consumers and bring new technology and services to more regions in China.
In total, 11 agreements were signed at the signing ceremony on December 11, 2007. The complete list can be found here.