Last week I voted with the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of granting permanent normal trading relations with the People's Republic of China. For reasons of national security, economic welfare and human rights, granting China normal trade relations is the right thing to do.

China is the third-largest military power in the world. China has a huge conventional arms arsenal and incredible nuclear capability -- China is a powerful threat. But China can be a powerful ally. There is no more powerful tool for positive change in China than trade with the United States.

I worry that the trend towards isolationism will lead us into another Cold War. And like this reflection of an era gone by, many of my colleagues in Washington seem to long for our "mutually assured destruction." I urge my colleagues instead to explore the option of "mutually assured improvements." Granting China permanent normal trade relations will have a tremendous diplomatic impact.

But China is not large in just a military sense. China is the sixth-largest market in the world for American agricultural products. Over the next decade, China will account for over one-third of the growth in U.S. agricultural exports.

This represents a huge market for Nebraska agricultural and manufactured goods and services. Nebraska is already a significant exporter of farm, industrial and consumer goods to China. Direct exports from Nebraska to China totaled $23.2 million in 1998 alone. And when you add exports from other states that pass though Nebraska and indirect exports that pass though Hong Kong, it brings Nebraska's total export stake in trade with China to $47.9 million. New trade and investment opportunities promise employment and an improved standard of living for Nebraska's families.

For these reasons, normal trade relations with China will benefit Nebraska. But how about those repressed citizens of China? There is not a doubt in my mind that a negative vote on permanent normal trade relations will hinder democratization and human rights advancements in China. We have a moral obligation to make China's normal trade relations status permanent. If we truly care about improving human rights, the U.S. cannot seal off one-fourth of the world's population. To do so would ignore the ills we seek to remedy.

Permanent normal trade relations with China will not only benefit commerce between our two countries. It will also allow for cultural and religious exchanges. Ignoring China won't bring freedom for religious expression. It won't end China's cruel policy limiting family size. It won't stop the horrific policy of forced abortions. Ignoring China won't bring democracy. Isolating China will only separate our two countries even further, and close off avenues necessary to improve human rights or establish religious freedom.

It is in Nebraska's interest, it is in America's interest, and it is in China's interest, to bring China to the bargaining table of global relations.