TIA strongly applauds the U.S. Senate for granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China. The bipartisanship and outstanding leadership of both parties contributed to a successful 83-15 vote allowing U.S. companies to compete with the rest of the world in China's burgeoning market. TIA urges President Clinton to sign this legislation into law at the earliest time possible. 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 well underway with preparations to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), with many of those preparations relating to the ever-important telecommunications industry. China is currently introducing domestic competition and preparing for competition from U.S. and other foreign carriers after China accedes to the 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." China is predicted to have the world's largest telephone and mobile phone markets in the world by 2005. By that time, the number of traditional phones and cellular phones in China could reach approximately 600 million combined, representing huge increases in telephone penetration in that country. 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. "Granting PNTR to China would allow the United States to take advantage of China's latent demand for high technology. U.S. firms are the world's leaders in telecommunications equipment and service supply, and their leadership in this area has been a boon to the U.S. economy. From an economic perspective, as well as foreign policy perspective, having U.S. companies engaged in the rapidly-growing Chinese communications market is crucial," notes Flanigan. U.S. communications companies' strong interest in this market is evident as TIA announced (in October 1999) PT SUPERCOMM ASIA 2001 (http://www.supercommasia.com.sg/). Also see "ADC, Nortel Networks, China Telecom, Fujitsu Among Exhibors for PT SUPERCOMM ASIA 2000" in this issue of PulseOnline. 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 Home | Industry Beat | TIA Press Releases | Subscribe | Past Issues Letter from the President | Inside Washington | TIA Around the Globe | Small Company Focus Trade Shows and Marketing Opportunities | Standards Update | Member Spotlight New TIA Members | Member News | Market Forecast | Calendar of Events | PulseOnline Home Contact Us: Melanie Phung mphung@tia.eia.org