[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HONG KONG

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, 1 month ago, Hong Kong reverted 
to the control of the People's Republic of China, ending over 150 years 
of colonial rule. This was a historic and unprecedented event in 
Chinese history. I was honored to serve as the chairman of the official 
Senate delegation that attended the handover ceremonies along with 
several of our colleagues from the House of Representatives, led by 
Congressman Chris Cox. 
  I hope that when I return to Hong Kong next year, and the year after, 
and the year after, I will witness the same optimism that I observed 
during the transition from British to Chinese rule. The people of Hong 
Kong should be congratulated for their determination to keep Hong Kong 
the pearl of the Orient.
  During our visit, our delegation was fortunate to meet with the new 
chief executive, C.H. Tung, as well as his Chief Secretary, the highly 
respected civil servant, Anson Chan. This duo has been referred to as 
the dream team and the name is well deserved. It is my opinion that if 
C.H. Tung and Anson Chan work together they will lead Hong Kong to a 
brighter future. But they will face severe trials. The ``one country, 
two systems'' approach of the late Chairman Deng is untested, and I 
predict that there will be hurdles to its implementation, especially in 
the area of personal and political autonomy.
  The purpose of the Senate Delegation to Hong Kong was to demonstrate 
our continued commitment to support the people of Hong Kong and to 
protect United States interests. And Congress will continue to monitor 
events in Hong Kong.
  The key events that I think will determine whether this experiment 
will work are the following:
  Whether the elections C.H. Tung has called for May of 1998 are free 
and fair and allow broad participation.
  Whether the Court of Final Appeal functions as the final word, or 
whether the PRC People's Congress uses the fig leaf of ``national 
security'' to step in and usurp Hong Kong's legal system.
  How the PRC Government handles Martin Lee, and other democrats. Thus 
far, democratic protests have continued without intervention.
  What happens to the first paper to publish a Pro-Taiwan or Pro-Tibet 
editorial.
  Whether Chief Secretary Anson Chan stays in her post after 1998, and 
whether there is an exodus of other civil servants.
  But I also urge restraint by my colleagues. We should not assume the 
worst for Hong Kong. Specifically, we should not alter trade laws that 
assume that Hong Kong cannot enforce her borders and her laws. If Hong 
Kong cannot live up to her commitments in this regard, then the United 
States should act, but we should not act prematurely.
  In conclusion, Mr. President, I would like to extend my commitment to 
the people of Hong Kong to support their efforts. I hope on my next 
trip to Hong Kong I can say that Hong Kong remains the vibrant, 
successful, energetic engine of Asia.

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