[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 72 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 72

  Condemning any action of the PRC that could unnecessarily escalate 
  tensions between our two countries, including the actions taken on 
   March 8, 2009, relating to the USNS Impeccable and the subsequent 
          rejection of United States protests to the incident.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 12, 2009

   Mr. Forbes (for himself and Ms. Bordallo) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Condemning any action of the PRC that could unnecessarily escalate 
  tensions between our two countries, including the actions taken on 
   March 8, 2009, relating to the USNS Impeccable and the subsequent 
          rejection of United States protests to the incident.

Whereas the outer limit for territorial sea claims by a country cannot exceed 12 
        nautical miles in accordance with international law as reflected in the 
        United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Whereas all ships, including United States Naval ships, may exercise high seas 
        freedoms outside foreign territorial seas including freedom of 
        navigation and overflight;
Whereas United States warships and naval auxiliaries are entitled to complete 
        sovereign immunity, no foreign State may attempt to regulate, stop, 
        search, or board them without the consent of the United States;
Whereas United States Naval Ship (USNS) Impeccable was more than 70 miles 
        offshore of the coast of China when it was harassed by five Chinese 
        ships on March 8, 2009;
Whereas USNS Impeccable is an unarmed, naval auxiliary manned by a civilian 
        crew;
Whereas Chinese boats maneuvered to within 25 feet of the USNS Impeccable, which 
        is dangerously close and a violation of binding international agreements 
        concerning the safety of navigation at sea;
Whereas Chinese sailors deliberately put debris and their vessels in the path of 
        the USNS Impeccable, forcing it to stop even as the USNS Impeccable was 
        attempting to exit the situation;
Whereas a Chinese frigate had previously crossed the bow of the USNS Impeccable 
        on March 7, 2009, at close range and Chinese maritime aircraft buzzed 
        the ship after that incident;
Whereas a Chinese ship threatened the crew of the USNS Impeccable on March 7 via 
        bridge-to-bridge radio by calling on the American ship to leave 
        international waters or ``suffer the consequences'';
Whereas previous dangerous maneuvers by Chinese forces have unnecessarily 
        escalated tensions between the United States and China in the past, 
        including the April 2001 P-3 incident off Hainan Island, People's 
        Republic of China;
Whereas United States National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair described the 
        incident between the USNS Impeccable and five Chinese ships as the most 
        serious military interaction between the PRC and the United States since 
        2001;
Whereas the United States has consistently sought and seeks to maintain a de-
        escalatory foreign policy with the People's Republic of China;
Whereas the United States does not and will not recognize excessive maritime 
        claims put forth by foreign governments;
Whereas the United States is a staunch advocate for navigational rights and 
        freedoms consistent with international law as reflected in the United 
        Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Whereas the People's Republic of China is a Party to the United Nations 
        Convention on the Law of the Sea; and
Whereas the United States Government lodged protests with the People's Republic 
        of China and that protest was rejected by the People's Republic of China 
        on March 10, 2009: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress hereby--
            (1) supports the rise of a peaceful China that is a proud 
        member of the global community;
            (2) condemns any action of the PRC that could unnecessarily 
        escalate tensions between our two countries, including the 
        actions taken on March 8, 2009, relating to the USNS Impeccable 
        and the subsequent rejection of United States protests to the 
        incident;
            (3) urges the President of the United States to raise this 
        matter directly with the President of the People's Republic of 
        China, Hu Jintao to seek his assurances that such actions will 
        not be taken again; and
            (4) urges the People's Republic of China to suggest through 
        its bilateral military-to-military contacts any communication 
        improvements that will help ensure that unnecessary escalation 
        does not jeopardize the bilateral relationship that is mutually 
        beneficial to the United States and the People's Republic of 
        China.
                                 <all>