[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRESS MUST CONSIDER HONG KONG AS IT DEBATES MFN FOR CHINA

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, the House has begun this very important 
debate on whether or not we are going to grant most-favored-nation 
trading status to the People's Republic of China. The question that we 
have to ask ourselves is where do the 5.5 million freedom loving people 
of Hong Kong stand on this. Because, frankly, if one is in Hong Kong, 
this is much more than simply a debating exercise.
  Hong Kong is a beacon of hope and prosperity and freedom to Asia. As 
it is transferred to Chinese control in just a couple of weeks, the 
five and a half million residents face an uncertain future. We have a 
moral obligation to consider them as we debate MFN.
  One unquestionable fact, Mr. Speaker, regarding this MFN debate is 
that Hong Kong adamantly opposes the United States' cutting off trade 
with China. Maintaining MFN bolsters Hong Kong's economic value to 
China, reinforcing their claim to separate treatment. Maintaining trade 
will also calm the economic concerns of the Hong Kong people at a time 
when they are worried about their political freedoms.
  Chris Patton said it best, ``For the people of Hong Kong there is no 
comfort to the proposition that if China reduces their freedoms, their 
jobs will go to the United States.''

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