You've got that situation completely mixed up.
First: It was Clinton who tried to push a Defense Authorization Act that would include a lease for the Chinese state owned COSCO shipping company to take over the closed Naval Station property.
Second: Veterans and active Military were outraged about that historic site being leased to the Chi-Coms.
Third: The Mayor of Long Beach protested up through channels and many many activists were on the streets with bullhorns (I was in the middle of that, with my girlfriend - now my wife).
Fourth: Once Senator Inhofe (R) of Oklahoma became aware of the situation, he introduced an amendment to the bill that specifically dis-allowed COSCO from leasing that property. As a representative of the largest protest group, I actually talked to Sen. Inhofe and his Chief of Staff with updates as requested. The vote for that amendment was almost unanimous and Clinton was forced to sign the bill. We won that one.
However, COSCO did lease more space in the Port of Los Angeles (different Mayor). I never heard what happened to the property of the Naval Station. Hope the PTB built nice housing with a big park as they did with the closed Marine Air Base in Irvine. Got questions?
What is the unladen airspeed of a swallow?