[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 119 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CHINA POLICY ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 1995
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2058. I want 
to commend the efforts of my good friends Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Wolf 
against the human rights atrocities in China.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States has granted MFN renewal to China 
annually since 1980. Since the massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989, we 
have been extremely focused on China's human rights performance. There 
are some Members who de-link international trade and human rights and 
believe that the infusion of Western business practices and ideas will 
lead to greater freedom in China.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been 6 years since the Chinese regime directed 
the brutal massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. 
There has been little change, at best, in the dismal human rights 
record of the Chinese government.
  There still has not been a full accounting for the victims of the 
1989 crackdown. And, furthermore, just 2 months ago, scores of well-
known activists and intellectuals were rounded up and arrested for 
filing open petitions to the government urging a complete list of those 
who died.
  Over the past 2 years this Congress has been, in my opinion, lenient 
towards the continued denials of freedom of expression, association, 
and religion in China.
  Clearly, the time has come to send a clear and strong message to 
President Zemin and the National People's Congress that the United 
States will no longer stand idly by as products are made by slave labor 
for export, dissidents are permanently exiled, and torture and denial 
of medical care continues in Chinese prisons and labor camps.
  The bill before us clearly states the Congress' outrage at China's 
violation of international nonproliferation standards. It also calls 
upon China to respect and uphold the U.N. Charter and universal 
declaration of human rights.
  Despite previous concessions and promises made by the Chinese regime 
on human rights, the State Department recently reported that there 
continues to be widespread and well-documented human rights abuses in 
China.
  Mr. Speaker, let me be clear * * * I agree that we must engage the 
Chinese. I recognize the over $9 billion of exports to China last year 
and the thousands of American jobs associated with those products and 
services.
  However, we should not help underwrite the totalitarian regime in 
China any longer. This MFN debate is very different than others in the 
past.
  This is a hallmark moment in United States-Sino relations. The post-
Deng Xiaoping transition period approaches. With the fall of the Soviet 
Union, the Korean peninsula has become the most dangerous place on the 
planet.
  As we have learned in country after country in Europe, the United 
States develops its strongest alliances and ensures its lasting 
security when we stand firmly and unequivocally for the principles upon 
which our own Nation was founded.
  Mr. Speaker, whether we like it or not, the fact is that MFN is the 
only bargaining power we have with the Chinese each year. Our continued 
policy of unconditional engagement and economic stimulus to encourage 
human rights and nuclear nonproliferation is a failed policy.
  H.R. 2058 directs the President to undertake intensified diplomatic 
initiatives to persuade the Chinese Government to, among other things, 
adhere to prevailing international standards regarding nonproliferation 
of weapons and respect the internationally recognized human rights of 
its citizens.
  These initiatives will be carried out in our bilateral relations with 
China, and through the United Nations, the World Bank, and the WTO.
  This bill requires the administration to report every 6 months on the 
progress of these initiatives and the Chinese Government's willingness 
to bring about reform.
  Essentially, this bill will not allow the administration to walk away 
from the reality of the human rights abuses or nuclear proliferation.
  It will also require the Chinese to make real reforms now, rather 
than empty and worthless concessions days before MFN renewal each year.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a general consensus in the Congress that the 
best China policy is one that advocates a prosperous, strong, and 
democratic China. This bill is a compromise which makes great strides 
toward effectively pressuring the Chinese to make needed reforms, while 
not denying MFN status to China at this time. For that reason, I will 
support this bill. Thank you.


                          ____________________