The measure passed on a vote of 237 to 197. This is a vote for human rights, religious liberty, and free markets, said Rep. Pitts.
China is indeed guilty of severe human rights abuses.
I have myself confronted the Chinese leadership about this, and will continue to do so. But we can either punish them for this by isolating them, or we can engage them and show them there is a better way for the future. In the long run, the only way to change China is to interact with its leaders and people. The Bereuter proposal for continued human rights monitoring is something I have supported from the start. Yes, we are opening new markets with China and making unprecedented exchanges of culture and currency possible.