[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
PROMISES, PROMISES CHINA'S WORD TO SUBSTITUTE FOR SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS?

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 1994

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today's Washington Post and 
news wire services reporting on Assistant Secretary of State John 
Shattuck's meetings with Chinese officials indicate that the 
administration may be backtracking on its commitment to human rights in 
China.
  Instead of talking about significant progress in human rights, United 
States officials now seem to be hoping that China will make a grand 
gesture which would allow the administration to say that China has 
finally joined the rest of the world in respecting the human rights of 
its citizens. Some seem to feel that the release of a few dissidents 
from prison would prove China's willingness to meet the conditions.
  Mr. Speaker, this is business as usual. This is the same grand 
gesture that China has used year after year without having to make any 
significant progress in human rights. It is the reason why we find 
ourselves each year discussing the same issue.
  Some seem to think that China's pledge to make human rights 
improvements could substitute for significant progress as well. Mr. 
Speaker, a few weeks ago when I was in China, government officials gave 
their word to me that there was complete religious freedom and that 
there were no religious prisoners. Since then we have learned of new 
arrests of religious believers and of the promulgation of new draconian 
laws designed to crush religious expression. Their words and their 
promises are as empty as their actions.
  Faced with ever growing evidence that China is regressing rather than 
improving in the area of human rights, the administration now appears 
to be trying to whitewash China's record. Since MFN was extended last 
year--with conditions for renewal--the Chinese Government has refused 
to meet any of the conditions. They have even detained U.S. citizens, 
refusing to allow them to contact the Embassy.
  Mr. Speaker, thousands of Chinese citizens daily risk their lives to 
practice their religion, to protect their cultural heritage, to decide 
for themselves the number of children they want to have, to strive for 
the freedoms and rights which we take for granted. They do not count 
the cost--and the cost for them is quite high. We should not betray the 
courage that these brave people have demonstrated by capitulating to 
the blustering and the threats of China's repressive leaders.
  If we backtrack now, Mr. Speaker, if we settle for promises rather 
than action, for one-time grand gestures rather than seeking long-
lasting significant progress the cost for us will be high, too. We may 
have trade with China, but we will have lost our integrity. What good 
is our word if it is not backed up by action? No better than the 
promises that the Chinese Government gives us.

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