FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, December 16, 2006

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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY CARLOS M. GUTIERREZ APPLAUDS CHINA’S SELECTION OF WESTINGHOUSE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY FOR THIRD GENERATION NUCLEAR UNITS
Multi-Billion Dollar Agreement Follows November Trade Mission

Washington, DC - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement after China selected Pittsburgh based, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, to provide third generation nuclear power units. The multi-billion dollar agreement will create more than 5,000 new U.S. jobs.

Earlier this year Secretary Gutierrez and U.S. Secretary of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman sent letters to Chinese officials supporting Westinghouse’s proposal.

Westinghouse was among 25 companies that participated in last month’s trade development mission to China led by Secretary Gutierrez. It is the fourth U.S. company to sign a major agreement this week. On Wednesday two members of the trade development mission - The Home Depot and VeriSign - signed agreements with their Chinese counterparts.

“Today’s announcement is a major victory for U.S.-China economic relations and the employees of Westinghouse. The decision is a powerful example that America’s companies are actively competing and succeeding in the global economy,” said Gutierrez. “Westinghouse’s scientists and engineers are leading 21 st century innovation and are contributing to America’s economic prosperity. This agreement further strengthens America’s economic relationship with its second largest trading partner, and it is another very important step that China is taking to open its markets to American products and services.”