[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1439]]



              CHANGE IN CHINA WILL COME THROUGH ENGAGEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 1997

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this body has once again completed its 
annual debate over retention of MFN, or normal trade status, to China. 
While the actual fate of MFN was never truly in doubt, during the week 
or two before the debate, that debate was marked by a wide array of 
accusations and charges. In the aftermath of this debate, it is 
understandable that there is some confusion as to the precise nature of 
our vital interests in China, and how best to pursue those interests.
  This Member believes that linkage of trade to human rights does not 
advance United States vital interests, nor does it promote democracy in 
China. As an excellent editorial in the Lincoln Journal Star recently 
noted, ``there is a fine line between making our views known to China 
and trying to, or even thinking we can, impose our will. * * * While we 
should continue to speak up for the rights of other peoples, including 
those in Hong Kong, we will have more influence if we simply maintain 
an open relationship with China in which there is a free flow of people 
and goods.''
  Mr. Speaker, this Member commends to his colleagues the July 2, 1997 
editorial entitled ``Best way to influence China through open 
relations, trade'' in the Lincoln Journal Star and asks that it be 
submitted as part of the Record.

             [From the Lincoln Journal Star, July 2, 1997]

       Best Way to Influence China Through Open Relations, Trade

       The spectacle that unfolded in Hong Kong this week has 
     provided a good opportunity for Americans to focus attention 
     on China. The more we know about the world's most populous 
     nation, the better we will understand it.
       And that's imperative as China develops into a world-class 
     economic power.
       In the sweep of history, the return of Hong Kong from 
     British to Chinese rule is a welcome event. Hong Kong belongs 
     to China. It is Chinese. The passing of the racist-tinged 
     relic of Western colonialism should be a cause for 
     celebration, not mourning.
       The legitimate concerns surrounding this week's historic 
     transfer of power center on protection of Hong Kong's 
     economic and political freedoms. While the former seem 
     relatively secure, the latter may turn out to be not quite as 
     broad as they once were, certainly not as unfettered as we 
     would want them to be. We will have to wait and see.
       While we can, and ought to, monitor events as they progress 
     in Hong Kong, we should recognize that the economic forces 
     already unleashed in China are likely to carry it along the 
     path to broader personal freedom. And we need to understand 
     that, try as we might, we cannot dictate the pace of change.
       It is fair to expect China to abide by the agreement it 
     negotiated with the British in which it promised to abide by 
     a ``one country, two systems'' formula that guaranteed a 
     level of autonomy for Hong Kong that would protect its market 
     economy and democratic freedoms. China should be held 
     accountable for keeping its word.
       But there is a fine line between making our views known to 
     China and trying to, or even thinking we can, impose our 
     will. We need to be sensitive to such issues as sovereignty 
     and national pride in making our case, and to China's long-
     held suspicion that we are embarked on a new form of colonial 
     dominance called American hegemony.
       It would be useful if we sometimes tried to step back and 
     see ourselves from other people's eyes. China's leaders may 
     ask how we would like it if they questioned our civil rights 
     record, or the plight of our poor in the midst of vast 
     wealth, in the court of world opinion.
       While we should continue to speak up for the rights of 
     other peoples, including those in Hong Kong, we will have 
     more influence if we simply maintain an open relationship 
     with China in which there is a free flow of people and goods.
       In the long run, congressional approval of President 
     Clinton's renewal of normal trading relationships with China 
     will do more to positively influence the lives of Chinese 
     citizens than any of our lectures.
       It is difficult to keep societies open and regressive at 
     the same time.
       And economic freedom begets broader personal and political 
     freedoms.

     

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