[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT (NORMAL TRADE 
           RELATIONS TREATMENT) TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to passage of 
the PNTR bill before the House of Representatives today.
  Passage of this legislation would recognize China as a permanent 
trading partner as opposed to reviewing our trade relationship with 
China on an annual basis.
  The key word in this debate is permanent. Why would the United States 
want to move from an annual review process to recognizing China as a 
permanent trading partner? China continues to make the world a more 
dangerous place by its cooperation with rogue states and China's 
ongoing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
  Normally, individuals and countries are rewarded because of their 
improvements or achievements. In this case, we would be recognizing a 
country that has violated every single trade agreement that they have 
signed with the United States. While proponents of this legislation may 
be correct in asserting that corporate America and our economy might 
benefit from this agreement, what message are we sending to the Chinese 
government, Chinese workers and the rest of the world.
  Permanent recognition of China would tell the Chinese government and 
the rest of the world that when it comes to corporate profits and the 
almighty dollar the United States will throw in the towel on the very 
issues that the American people and our country have stood for from the 
beginning. This is of course not to mention the tens of thousands of 
jobs that will be lost in the United States as a result of this 
agreement.
  The Chinese government continues to sit by idly while workers are 
paid 25 cents an hour, forced to work 12 to 14 hour days and are forced 
to work 7 days a week.
  If a person is as bold as Zhang Jingfheng and attempts to organize 
employees into a union, they in fact can be jailed and sent to prison. 
Mr. Jingfheng in fact was sentenced to a 13-year prison term--and he is 
not alone.
  In addition to a deplorable record on human rights, the Chinese 
people have limited freedom to assemble, limited freedom to express and 
practice their religious beliefs and there is limited freedom of the 
press.
  I do not believe that United States firms are creating new markets in 
China--or new opportunities for Chinese workers. Instead, I believe 
they are creating new maquiladoras where products will be made for 
slave wages in horrible working conditions that will be sold to our 
consumers here in the United States for huge profits.
  This is not the time to throw in the towel and grant permanent 
trading status to China. We should hold firm and review our trading 
relationship with China on an annual basis.
  Mr. Speaker, for the above reasons, I strongly oppose PNTR and ask my 
colleagues to join me in voting ``no.''

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