Download Page as PDF Expand All Collapse All Extent 28 folders, approximately 2,568 pages Summary This collection contains the textual records of NSC Director for Asian Affairs Robert Suettinger regarding China. The collection consists of memos, cables, faxes and other correspondence, reports, talking points, briefing materials, lists, itineraries, newspaper clippings and published articles regarding China, particularly in relation to the negotiations surrounding its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Many records focus on meetings with Chinese officials, Executive Order 12850, human rights issues, the treatment of political dissidents in China, wildlife conservation efforts and arms sales in Taiwan, and the Three Gorges Dam project. Scope and Content Note The materials in FOIA 2020-0245-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. This collection contains memos, cables, faxes, other communication, reports, opinions, talking points, briefing materials, lists, newspaper clippings and published articles regarding China and the negotiations surrounding its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Many records focus on meetings with Chinese officials, human rights issues, the imprisonment of political dissidents in China, follow-up on Executive Order 12850 criteria, wildlife conservation efforts and arms sales in Taiwan, and the Three Gorges Dam project. A significant percentage of the records related to this FOIA case are closed for national security reasons. Biographical Note Robert Suettinger served as the Director of the Office of Analysis for East Asia and the Pacific at the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research between 1987 and 1989. From 1989 and 1994, he was deputy national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council, then he served as Director for Asian Affairs on the National Security Council between March 1994 and October 1997, helping develop U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region. After his time at the National Security Council, Suettinger was national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council between 1997 and 1998. Since the Clinton administration, he has served as senior analyst at the Brookings Institution and senior advisor at the Stimson Center, as well as advisor to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. Record Type Textual System of Arrangement Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in these collection areas—Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files. Staff and Office files were maintained at the folder level by staff members within their individual offices and document all levels of administration activity. Staff and Office files are processed at the folder level, that is, individual documents are not selected and removed from a folder for processing. While this method maintains folder integrity, it frequently results in the incidental processing of documents that are not wholly responsive to the subject area. Access This collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22, as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with legal exemptions. Copyright Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the United States (17 U.S.C. Chapter 1) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Provenance Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act (PRA). Processed by Staff Archivist, 2026. Last Modified Date 2026-04-17 Related Collections Box 1 Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files National Security Council Suettinger, Robert China [1] [OA/ID 1043] China [2] [OA/ID 1043] China [3] [OA/ID 1043] China - Dissidents [1] [OA/ID 1043] China - Dissidents [2] [OA/ID 1043] China - Dissidents [3] [OA/ID 1043] China - Dissidents [4] [OA/ID 1043] Box 2 China - Dissidents [5] [OA/ID 1043] China - GATT [1] [OA/ID 1043] China - GATT [2] [OA/ID 1043] China - GATT (1995) [OA/ID 1043] China - Guns [OA/ID 1043] [China] - Human Rights Policy, Post MFN [OA/ID 1043] [China] - MFN - 1995 [OA/ID 1044] China - MFN Policy [1] [OA/ID 1043] China - MFN Policy [2] [OA/ID 1043] China - MFN Policy [3] [OA/ID 1043] Box 3 China - Nuclear [OA/ID 1043] China - Space Launch [OA/ID 1043] Dimon Liu [OA/ID 1043] People’s Republic of China (PRC) - North Korea Sanctions [OA/ID 1044] (PRC) [People’s Republic of China] - U.S.-Taiwan Issues [OA/ID 1044] Taiwan - Arms Sales [Republic of China] [OA/ID 1044] Taiwan - Pelly Amendment [Republic of China] [OA/ID 1044] Taiwan - People’s Republic of China (PRC) Military [OA/ID 1044] Three Gorges [1] [OA/ID 1044] Three Gorges [2] [OA/ID 1044] U.S. - PRC [People’s Republic of China] Downturn [OA/ID 1044]