[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REACTION TO HOUSE MFN VOTE

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, today the House in effect approved 
President Clinton's renewal of most-favored-nation status for the 
People's Republic of China. The House failed to adopt a resolution 
disapproving of Mr. Clinton's renewal of MFN for China.
  The House thus squandered its opportunity to send a strong signal to 
the Clinton administration that its policy of engagement with China has 
not worked.
  The administration, and others supporting MFN, insisted that they 
were willing to pressure China on human rights, on trade, on 
proliferation, and on Hong Kong. They just didn't believe, they 
insisted repeatedly, that MFN is the way to do it.
  Fair enough, Mr. President. Taking supporters of MFN at their word, I 
hope Senators will make clear that if MFN isn't the proper tool to use 
in trying to influence China on such matters, what is the proper tool? 
By renewing MFN, President Clinton and supporters of MFN for China, 
have taken on a new burden--to show they are serious about finding a 
way to persuade China to stop abusing its citizens rights, stop unfair 
trade practices, stop sending weapons of mass destruction to rogue 
regimes, and live up to its commitments on Hong Kong.
  The debate over China policy is far from over. During the coming 
weeks and months, I will be considering new measures on China.
  For example, Mr. President, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
will hold hearings on legislation to deal with serious problems in the 
United States-China relationship, and on the commercial activities of 
the People's Liberation Army in the United States.
  I do hope that Senators who have asserted that there is a better way 
to influence China than revoking MFN will work with the Foreign 
Relations Committee in finding that better way.

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