TIA Hails House Passage of China PNTR

Arlington, Va. -- The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) strongly applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China. The bipartisanship and outstanding leadership of both parties contributed to a successful vote for allowing U.S. companies to compete with the rest of the world in China's burgeoning market. TIA urges swift passage of this legislation in the Senate.

TIA President Matthew J. Flanigan states, "With passage of this legislation, U.S. communications companies are ensured of the ability to compete equally with other global firms in China's domestic communications industry. China is currently introducing domestic competition to prepare for its imminent accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Now with PNTR, U.S. companies can go head-to-head with their foreign competitors in China on a level playing field. China's competitive communications environment will change dramatically in the next few years - with PNTR, U.S. companies will not be left behind."

By the end of 2000, China's mobile phone market will be the second largest in the world (second only to the United States). In 10 years' time, China will have a mobile phone penetration equal to approximately 250 million subscribers. With the proliferation of mobile phone usage, coupled with the onslaught of Internet access via wireless handheld devices, China's communications media will soon be some of the most high-tech in the world.

"U.S. companies are the world's high-tech leaders. The environment in the United States of entrepreneurship and the highest technical quality is one of America's greatest assets. With PNTR, U.S. companies will now be able to work in China and contribute to its fast-growing communications, Internet and e-commerce sectors. Both from a technical and policy sense, having U.S. companies engaged in the Chinese communications market is key. We won this vote on its merits," notes Flanigan.

U.S. communications companies' strong interest in this market is evident as TIA announced (in October 1999) PT SUPERCOMM ASIA 2001. To be held April 25-28, 2001, in Shanghai, PT SUPERCOMM ASIA represents a major initiative for TIA in China and the Asian communications market. It will be a world-class event that will help the region meet its ambitious telecom goals.

###

TIA is a full-service national trade organization with membership of 1,000 large and small companies that provide communications and information technology products, materials, systems, distribution services and professional services in the United States and around the world. The association's member companies manufacture or supply virtually all of the products used in global communication networks. TIA represents the telecommunications industry with its subsidiary, the MultiMedia Telecommunications Association (MMTA), in association with the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA).

P.A. Release 00-49/05.24.00