[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR FREEDOM IN HONG KONG

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my 
support for H. Res. 277: Expressing Support for Freedom in Hong Kong. 
This former British colony has been known to many in recent years as 
one of the world's freest economies due to its low taxes, free trade, 
and strong rule of law. Mr. Speaker, Hong Kong has recently undergone a 
number of political changes, which are in opposition to long-held 
agreements and understandings, which it maintained with its western 
trading partners.
  The government in Beijing is promoting changes in the internal 
security laws of Hong Kong that will change the basic freedoms in that 
territory. These laws will restrict distribution of publications and an 
appointee of the Chinese government, not an elected official, could 
waive basic fundamental rights of the people.
  The Chinese agreed in 1984 through the Sino-British Joint Declaration 
to explicitly guarantee that all of Hong Kong's freedom, including 
press freedom, religious freedom and freedom of association will 
continue for at least 50 years. The Chinese government also has pledged 
to respect Hong Kong Basic Law of 1990, which explicitly protects 
freedom of speech, press, publication, association, assembly, 
procession, demonstration, conscience and religion.
  Since July of 1977, Mr. Speaker, the Chinese authorities have 
gradually chipped away at the freedoms it promised to keep for 50 
years. For example, the system of electing representatives to the 
Legislative Council is less democratic. Appointed members have been 
added to district councils, and the central government has reversed 
Hong Kong courts, and declined to admit entry of numerous American 
visitors and other foreign nationals.
  The proposed Article 23 laws that deal with sedition, treason, and 
subversion against the Chinese Communist Party threaten the rights of 
the people of Hong Kong. We know China's record in the application of 
the law to its citizens. This record is one that brings grave concern 
that China will not administer the laws in Hong Kong in a fair, 
equitable, and honorable manner.
  Mr. Speaker, for all the above reasons, among others, I condemn any 
restrictions of freedom of thought, freedom of expression, or 
association in Hong Kong. Furthermore, I strongly urge the People's 
Republic of China to withdraw the proposed implementation of Article 23 
as it affects negatively the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. I 
call on President Bush and his Administration, to express to the 
People's Republic of China the concerns as outlined in H. Res. 277.

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