[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 119 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CHINA POLICY ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 1995
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the 
longstanding and difficult issue of China's atrocious record on human 
rights and its most-favored-nation-trading status.
  As a new Member of the House, I am not oblivious to the serious human 
rights abuses that China commits against its citizens. I was horrified 
by the slaughter of the students at Tienamen Square in 1989. And today 
am very troubled by the arrest of U.S. citizen Harry Wu. The students 
were crying out for freedom and justice, a practice that we take for 
granted in this country. Instead of negotiating an end to the 
demonstration, Premier Li Peng ordered the needless slaughter of 
unarmed civilians. I consider this an indefensible act beyond 
explanation.
  But, the question remains, how do we as a body and as a country work 
to bring an end to the practices of the Chinese Government? Do we 
completely divest and not do business with over 1 billion people? Or, 
do we continue to invest and hope that by engaging the regime we can 
effect change from the inside? I fear that this is a difficult problem 
to reconcile.
  I am committed to making sure that human rights are an integral part 
of U.S. foreign and trade policy. Recently, I have introduced, and 
passed, an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriation bill that 
brings greater awareness to the human rights violations of the 
Ethiopian Government. It is in that vein that I wish to discuss the 
situation with China tonight. Even though the Ethiopians have made 
improvements in their human rights record, our Nation must continue to 
encourage and monitor the situation there. This policy must also be for 
China.
  There are many practices that the Chinese Government engages in that 
anyone would find reprehensible.
  Short ``show'' trials with only cursory attention to the facts of the 
case;
  Executions by a gunshot to the back of the head. The convicted 
prisoner's family is then charged for the price of the bullet. I have 
been told that the Government has just increased the price of the 
bullet;
  Gulag style prisons where slave labor is commonplace; and
  The organs of executed prisoners are quickly removed for transplant. 
This begs the question of the motivation for many of executions.
  I supported, with an overwhelming number of my colleagues, H.R. 2058, 
the China Policy Act. This bill, for the first time, requires that the 
President
 present a biannual report on the progress of China's human rights.

  The China Policy Act has many points and congressional findings, such 
that:
  Charges against American citizen and human rights activist Harry Wu 
should be immediately dismissed;
  China has violated international standards regarding the 
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
  China has engaged in a program of modernizing and expanding its 
military;
  China continues its practice of lengthy detention without trial, 
torture, and inhumane treatment of prisoners, and has failed to release 
political prisoners such as Wei Jingsheng, Bao Tong, and Chen-Ziming;
  China continues to restrict free speech and trade unions;
  China does not allow access to prisons by humanitarian and human 
rights organizations;
  China continues to crackdown on the pro-democracy movement;
  China continues to harass journalists and the Voice of America;
  China continues to engage in discriminatory and unfair trade 
practices, including products made with prison slave labor; and
  China continues to repress Tibetans and other religious and ethnic 
minorities.
  The passage of the China Policy Act is a step in the right direction. 
We must continue to pressure the Chinese Government for change. I 
realize that it is very difficult to balance the necessity to trade 
with an estimated $600 billion economy and our Nation's commitment to 
human rights.
  China must treat its citizens with basic decency.
  China must stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 
China must come into line with the rest of the civilized nations.
  But, this body and this Nation must also carry the same standards of 
human rights for other nations with which we deal. Be it China, 
Cambodia, Bosnia, or Zaire, the United States must continue to be a 
beacon and champion of human rights for the rest of the world.
  As a nation we can demand no less of ourselves and with those who are 
members of the United Nations and with whom we conduct business.
  I am hopeful that China will continue to improve its human rights 
record. We must assist Harry Wu in his efforts to be free and be 
diligent in our insistence that China comply with basic human rights 
standards. Time is running out and the patience of many of my 
colleagues is wearing thin. Soon, China will no longer be a favored 
nation. The clock is running and only the Chinese can make it stop. My 
support and vote for H.R. 2058 along with my colleagues is a start and 
we must do more.