U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC & SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION ELECTS CHAIR, VICE CHAIR

Washington, D.C. – The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission this week elected a Chairman and Vice Chairman to lead the Commission’s work toward developing its second report to Congress on the national security implications of the U.S.-China economic relationship.

The 12-member bipartisan Commission elected as its Chairman Roger W. Robinson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Conflict Securities Advisory Group, Inc. and a former Senior Director of International Economic Affairs for the National Security Council under President Reagan. Mr. Robinson, who was recently reappointed to the Commission by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, previously served as the Commission’s chairman from October 2002 until January 2003, at which time all of the commissioners’ terms expired with end of the 107th Congress. A more detailed bio of Mr. Robinson is available on the Commission’s website.

The Commission elected as its Vice Chairman C. Richard D’Amato, an attorney and consultant representing the aerospace industry and other clients, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and former Counsel to Senator Robert C. Byrd (WV) and to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Mr. D’Amato, who was recently reappointed to the Commission by Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, previously served as the Commission’s first Chairman from April 2001 until October 2002, leading the Commission’s preparation of its first Report to Congress, and as the Commission’s Vice Chairman from October 2002 until January 2003. A more detailed bio of Mr. D’Amato is available on the Commission’s website.

Chairman Robinson said, "In its second annual report to Congress, the Commission intends to illuminate and, where possible, quantify the progress as well as the shortfalls in key issue areas in U.S.-China economic and security relations. The objective, security-minded work of the Commission is designed to provide the Congress with an independent assessment of this crucial bilateral relationship, particularly given the rapid expansion of economic transactions and the burgeoning nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula."

Vice Chairman D’Amato said, "I look forward to a very exciting and full year of new work on China. Our first hearing will be on the impact of the SARS crisis on information flows in China, and the role of the Internet. We’ll also tackle proliferation on a continuing basis, including the triangular relationship with North Korea. On economics, we will hold China accountable for responsible 21st century practices, particularly compliance with their WTO obligations and agreements on intellectual property, dropping the artificial depression of their currency to tilt the trade balances, and ending other mercantilist practices for true internationalism and fair dealing."

The Commission was established by Congress in 2000 to assess the national security implications of trade and economic ties between the United States and the People’s Republic of China and is mandated to report its findings to the Congress, along with recommendations for legislative or administrative action where appropriate. The Commission held a comprehensive series of public hearings during 2001 and 2002, conducted extensive original research, including sponsoring research from outside experts, and issued its first Report to Congress in July 2002. The Report included nearly 50 recommendations for legislative and administrative action aimed at better managing U.S.-China economic and financial relations and addressing a number of the Commission’s concerns regarding the economic and security related implications of this relationship. Transcripts of the hearings, copies of commissioned research, as well as the Commission’s first Report to Congress are available on the Commission’s website.

In February 2003, Congress directed the Commission to focus its work going forward on the following issues: China’s proliferation practices, China’s economic reforms and U.S. manufacturing and other economic transfers to China, China’s energy needs and impact on world energy markets, Chinese firms’ activities in the U.S. capital markets, U.S. firms’ investment in China, the regional economic and security impacts of China’s economic growth, the nature and scope of U.S.-China bilateral programs, China’s WTO compliance record, and the Chinese government’s efforts at media control. The Commission plans to begin its public hearing schedule for 2003 in the near future.

#END#

If you would like to unsubscribe to our updates, or update your contact information, please email your request to us at contact@uscc.gov. We will promptly delete or update your contact information.

Menubar:

Text Only Homepage | Commission Members | Hearing Schedule | About USCC | Transcripts | Homepage with Graphics