Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific he is leading a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to China to meet with high-ranking government and business leaders for purposes of strengthening US-China relations.  Chairman John Conyers of the powerful House Committee on the Judiciary is joining the Delegation as is Congresswoman Diane Watson of the Foreign Affairs’ Committee. 

Chairman Conyers has served in the U.S. Congress for the past 42 years and is the second most senior member.  As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he is the leader in the U.S. House of Representatives responsible for shaping policy on immigration and intellectual property protection, issues which have far-reaching implications for global trade, especially with China.

Congresswoman Diane Watson serves as Chair of the Government Operations Committee and is a leading voice on women’s issues, intellectual property protection, and the environment.  Given the Members’ diverse backgrounds, the Delegation will visit Beijing, 3 Gorges Dam, and Hong Kong and will address issues involving defense, the global environment, trade, intellectual property protection, energy, and other important matters facing US-China relations.

 The National People’s Congress (NPC) is hosting the CODEL and the CODEL will meet with the second highest government official in China, the Honorable Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the NPC.  The Delegation will also have a working session with the Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and other members of the NPC. 

 Later in the week, the CODEL will meet with China’s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, former Ambassador to the U.S.  The CODEL will also meet with the People’s Supreme Court, U.S. IP companies, and All China Women’s Federation.  All China Women’s Federation represents more than 600 million women living in China and is committed to stopping violence against women and ending human trafficking. 

The Honorable Clark Randt, the longest serving United States Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China,  will host the CODEL for dinner at his residence and the CODEL will also participate in a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. 

 Chairman Faleomavaega, Chairman Conyers, and Chairwoman Watson have also been invited by Chairman Li Ka-Shing to speak at Shantou University, the only privately funded public university in China.  More than 9,000 students attend the university which Chairman Li founded and funds.  Chairman Li Ka-Shing is Asia’s leading businessman and philanthropist and the CODEL will meet with him to discuss the Asia Pacific economy and our growing trade relations.  Finally, the CODEL will meet with Hong Kong’s current and past Chief Executives to discuss economic initiatives of mutual interest. 

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, I commend Chairman Conyers and Congresswoman Watson for their leadership and initiative in setting about to establish an ongoing dialogue with the leaders of the People’s Republic of China to promote peace, prosperity, and cooperation.  I also applaud Chairman Tom Lantos of the House Foreign Affair’s Committee who recently asked his Subcommittee Chairmen to travel to their regions of jurisdiction as part of an increased effort to take our country in a new direction by promoting U.S. diplomacy abroad.”

“Given that the U.S.-China relationship will in many ways play a critical role in determining the world’s future, I am deeply honored to lead this CODEL.  I am also pleased to support Chairman Conyer’s efforts to re-define immigration policy and, although difficult, I am hopeful that whatever bill the House may pass will address the needs of millions of illegal aliens now living in the U.S. and will be of benefit to our Pacific Island community who came without proper documentation or who were over-stayers,” Faleomavaega concluded.