Date: 1996-06-27
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have very. very respected colleagues on both sides of this issue. I am certain that there might be questions about why I would stand here firmly in support of MFN. I ask my colleagues to oppose the resolution before us. Many Members of the House are concerned about the human rights record of the Peoples Republic of China. and rightfully so. Clearly I have many concerns about human rights. The questions for those of us with these concerns is how can we improve the situation in China? Mr. Speaker. I believe that a policy of engagement in China gives us the best opportunity to influence the Chinese Government and the Chinese people in a positive manner. Ideals of freedom will be experienced by the common man in China. Free trade encourages interaction between the Americans doing business in China and their Chinese counterparts. Additionally free trade with China will allow the averageChinese citizen to develop more of his or her own wealth. and the accumulation of personal wealth is the only way people can be independent. An improved standard of living in China will encourage free market principles in that nation and will assist the citizens of China in their effort to gain more freedom. Representative EDDIE BERNiCE JOHNSON. U.S. House of Representatives. Washington. DC. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON: I write to thank you for your support of President Clintons decision to renew MFN for China this year. On my recent trip to Washington. I met with a number of your congressional colleagues to explain the threats to democratic institutions. human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong and to urge them not to unintentionally compound the difficulties for Hong Kong in their efforts to punish China for failure to adhere to international norms in a wide range of areas. particularly human rights. I am grateful to Congress for its continued interest In Hong Kong and for the deep concern members have expressed about human rights violations in China. I too have serious concerns about the human rights situation in China and the prospects for safeguarding human rights in Hong Kong after 1997. However. as an elected representative of Hong Kong people. I cannot ignore the damage to Hong Kong that will occur if Chinas MFN status Is not renewed. Because the United States and China are our two largest trading partners. disruptions in trade have a direct impact on Hong Kongs own economy. In the best of times it would be difficult to ride out the storm of a trade dispute between our two largest trading partners. but with the transfer of sovereignty barely a year away. the revocation of Chinas MFN status would deal an even more serious blow to our economy. Many of Hong Kongs friends in the international community are gravely concerned about Chinas recent decisions to abolish Hong Kongs elected legislature and replace it with an appointed one. to effectively repeal Hong Kongs Bill of Rights and to erode the independence of our judiciary and civil service. Indeed. many who wish to help Hong Kong by promising China through MFN. were unaware of the devastating effect nonrenewal of MFN would have on Hong Kongs economyat a time when confidence in Hong Kojng is already badly shaken. When explaining the effect of nonrenewal of Chinas MFN status on Hong Kong. I often give the example of a father beating a child. Your first instinct may be to stop such brutality by punching the father in the nose. But when you approach. the child stands in the way. defending father. Do you knock over the child to teach the father a lesson? Hong Kong is like that child. Revoking MFN would hit Hong Kong firstand badly. At a time when Hong Kong people could least recover from such a blow. As you and your congressional colleagues debate Chinas MFN status in Congress. I hope you will take Hong Kong into account. I thank you once again for your consideration and continuing support for Hong Kong. Sincerely yours.