Remarks by Elaine L. Chao U.S. Secretary of Labor
Shanghai Jiaotong University
August 28, 2008

“America and China in the 21st Century”

Thank you.

Elaine L. Chao U.S. Secretary of Labor

It is a special delight to be here at Shanghai Jiaotong University as China completes its historic hosting of the 29th Summer Olympic Games.  I have just come from Beijing where I attended the closing ceremonies of the games, and China is to be noted for the magnificent preparations it has made to ensure that the Olympic Games are truly memorable.  On July 29, 2008, I attended the inaugural ceremony opening the new Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.  And upon my arrival here in China last Friday, I toured the new American Embassy in Beijing that was just dedicated by both former and present President Bush.  These events are emblematic of China’s growing presence in the worldrld.

Today, the U.S. and China are more engaged than ever—both culturally and economically.  China is already the United States’ second-largest trading partner in terms of total trade, with $191 billion in goods crossing our borders in the first five months of 2008 alone.  So far this year, U.S. exports to China have totaled nearly $37 billion, while imports from China have totaled over $154 billion.    (Complete Text)