(WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2000)—With the congressional vote just over a week away, The Business Roundtable is making its final push to ensure passage of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China. The BRT is intensifying its public education and grassroots programs and rolling out its latest series of new TV, radio, print and Internet advertisements in the congressional districts of undecided members of Congress.

"PNTR legislation is good for America's workers, farmers and businesses, and it is in our national interest," said BRT President Samuel L. Maury. "We are currently working in 88 congressional districts with local businesses to articulate the benefits of trade. The BRT will spend this last week before the vote aggressively presenting these facts to the American public and the Congress."

The BRT is unveiling a multi-media advertising campaign this week designed to bolster support for a “yes” vote on PNTR in the House next week. Click here to view ads.

Through TV ads on national cable and TV, and radio and print ads in targeted congressional districts, the Reverend Kim-Kwong Chan, a prominent Chinese religious leader, explains how trade can open China to religious freedom and democratic ideals. Rev. Chan leads the Hong Kong Christian Council and has helped construct more than 100 churches in China.

“Trade between America and China is the best way to open China’s borders, and to open the minds of China’s leaders. Trade is a powerful force to help spread religious and democratic values,” says Rev. Chan.

BRT is also taking a leadership role in communicating the benefits of PNTR to the agriculture community. In partnership with the Agriculture Coalition, BRT is airing 60-second radio ads urging farmers to call Congress to demand that it pass PNTR legislation to open China's vast marketplace to their products. The ads feature a pair of farmers making the case that they deserve a chance to do business in China – with 1.3 billion people, the world's largest emerging marketplace.

The third pillar of BRT's advertising campaign features advertising across California that highlight many of the editorial endorsements of PNTR legislation. The ads quote newspapers ranging from the San Francisco Chronicle to the Los Angeles Times to the San Diego Union Tribune. The ads will also appear in Spanish in La Opinion.

"This is clearly the most important trade vote of the 106th Congress," said Maury. "It is critical that we do our part to assure that the public and Congress understand that it's an unprecedented opportunity to open China's markets to American products and expose China's leaders to democratic values and rules-based trade. We are confident that the House will choose engagement over isolation and pass this landmark legislation."