The World - News from Dec. 16, 1988

The United States and China signed a four-year maritime agreement that will ensure access by each nation’s vessels to the ports of the other. The two nations also pledge their intention to provide for the sharing of cargo transport in two-way trade, the Department of Transportation announced in Washington. Vessels of each nation would be assured of at least one-third of all such cargoes, it said. Under the agreement, U.S.-flag vessels may enter 40 Chinese ports upon 24 hours’ notice, and Chinese vessels will have the same access to all but 12 U.S. ports.