Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Rick Larsen (D-WA) introduced the U.S.-China Engagement Act of 2006 in the House of Representatives that expands the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and China.  The proposed legislation will increase U.S. participation in Chinese language programs, expand postsecondary education programs, and promote U.S. exports to the Peoples Republic of China.

“We need to understand the change underway in the 21st century. It is time America provides the diplomatic, business and educational resources to better understand and work with China,” said Kirk.

“The U.S.-China Engagement Act is important because it encourages a productive, secure relationship between the U.S. and China while implementing measures that will ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in the future,” said Larsen.

Among other provisions, the U.S.-China Engagement Act of 2006 would:

• Expand the Diplomatic Relationship between the U.S. and China by tripling the U.S. public diplomacy funding in the Peoples Republic of China to hire additional personnel and increase their IT infrastructure.
  
• Increase U.S. student participation in Chinese language programs by creating grant programs for local educational agencies to offer Chinese language and cultural studies to elementary and secondary school students.
  
• Expand postsecondary education programs by authorizing grants to higher education institutions to establish international exchange programs between postsecondary institutions in the Peoples Republic of China and the U.S.
  
• Promote U.S. Exports to the People Republic of China by increasing Commerce Department Foreign Commercial Service Officers to assist U.S. businesses in China, and authorizing grants to states in order to establish and operate offices to promote exports to China.

The U.S.-China Engagement Act 2006 follows the recent visit of China’s President Hu Jintao to Washington, D.C.  Kirk and Larsen were two of only six members to meet personally with President Hu.

Kirk and Larsen are co-chairs of the U.S.-China Working Group, a 39-member bipartisan Group that works to educate Members of Congress on U.S.-China issues and establish a primary diplomatic relationship with China. The group regularly hears from key business, academic and political leaders about issues affecting the U.S.-China relationship.

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