Text: Representative Joseph Hoeffel Comes Out Against China PNTR
(Granting permanent NTR to China "morally bankrupting")Another Democratic lawmaker is speaking out against granting permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status to China.
Representative Joseph Hoeffel (Democrat of Pennsylvania) is the latest member of the President's own party to come out against voting to end application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to China.
In extended remarks in the Congressional Record March 30, Hoeffel said "China has yet to live up to any of the previous trade agreements it has signed with the United States. I am not convinced that China will be any more likely to change this behavior once it is granted PNTR status."
Hoeffel's reasons for opposing permanent NTR status for China are emblematic of the problems the Clinton Administration faces as it tries to round up a sufficient number of votes for permanent NTR.
After meetings with groups and individuals on both sides of the issue, including China's Ambassador to the United States, Hoeffel said, "I have decided to oppose granting permanent NTR to China at this time."
Fair trade and economic growth, Hoeffel said, "are very important to me, but not at the expense of the principles for which this country stands."
The Democratic lawmaker complained of "too many broken promises by the Chinese government."
"There are too many protesters in prison," Hoeffel said, "there are too many religious persecutions. There are too many military threats."
China's record on human and workers' rights "continues to be abominable," he added. "Granting China PNTR now might be economically rewarding, but it would be morally bankrupting."
Following is the text of Hoeffel's remarks from the Congressional Record:
(begin text)
GRANTING CHINA
PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS (PNTR)
HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL
(Extension of Remarks - March 30, 2000)HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL
in the House of Representatives
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2000
Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, a great nation has to stand on its principles. If it fails to do so, it is diminished. The Cold War and our policy toward South Africa are just two examples of policy based upon our nation's bedrock principles. Such an opportunity will apparently present itself this year with the anticipated vote in Congress on granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China.
After months of studying the issues; after dozens of meetings with various groups and individuals on both sides of the issue, such as the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, business leaders from Montgomery County, human rights activists and labor leaders; I have decided to oppose granting PNTR to China at this time.
Fair trade and economic growth in this new economy are very important to me, but not at the expense of the principles for which this country stands.
I remain committed to free and fair trade. I cosponsored and voted for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act in both the International Relations Committee and on the floor of the House, and I hope to vote for it again when it is reported out of conference committee. I also cosponsored another free trade measure for Africa called the `Hope for Africa Act.' Last year, I supported granting a one-year extension of normal trade relations (NTR) with China. I support a comprehensive engagement with China that includes free and fair trade, but only after China has demonstrated a willingness to become a responsible member of the world community.
By granting China PNTR, we surrender the only effective economic and political tool to effect positive change in China--the annual vote to renew NTR. Without this, China has little reason to improve its actions and image in the world community.
There have been too many broken promises by the Chinese government. There are too many protesters in prison. There are too many religious persecutions. There are too many military threats.
China's record on human and workers' rights continues to be abominable. Take for instance the story of Liu Baiqiang. While serving a 10-year sentence for theft, Baiqiang, in support of the 1989 pro-democracy movement, wrote messages calling for freedom and the end of tyranny on scraps of paper and released them into the air attached to the legs of locusts. For this he was sentenced to an additional eight years in prison.
The leadership in China continue to threaten Taiwan, even at a time when we are considering PNTR, just because Taiwan practices democracy. China continues to develop and contribute to the proliferation of missile and nuclear technology, exporting it to rogue nations around the world. China continues to violate environmental standards for development and industry, ignores fair labor standards and safe working conditions and uses child, low wage and even slave labor to produce many goods for export.
Finally, China has yet to live up to any of the previous trade agreements it has signed with the United States. I am not convinced that China will be any more likely to change this behavior once it is granted PNTR status.
I firmly support a renegotiation of the terms of the U.S.-China bilateral treaty that would provide greater safeguards against Chinese abuses and outlaw behavior. I have participated in two working groups established by Members of Congress that are striving to identify the issues that should be renegotiated and ways to initiate the renegotiation.
A treaty that provides a free and fair trade agreement with safeguards that could better guarantee appropriate Chinese behavior in the world community would receive my full support.
Granting China PNTR now might be economically rewarding, but it would be morally bankrupting.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State - www.usinfo.state.gov)
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