the election that is now scheduled for September should be delayed.

We have had some difficulty, as I understand, not just with our assistance pertaining to the elections, but likewise with economic assistance.

the Muslim Brotherhood, which is apparently better organized than most other political movements, might play a dominant role.

Mr. Chairman, I join you in welcoming Ambassador Patterson and our second panel of distinguished nominees.

That's an important reassurance.

I would also hope that you will be a champion for intellectual property rights.

I look forward very much to today's hearing to learn more about Secretary Locke and his strategy for approaching the Chinese.

This has many greater dangers than bubbles forming elsewhere, because of the enormity and the credit position we talked about earlier today.

I believe, personally, and I think others here do, that that would not serve our interests and that is not necessary.

This committee needs a firm commitment from the nominee that he will work to advance the rule of law and human rights in China.

I think that, clearly, there--we need to help open up the Chinese market to some of our services...

Well, when you become our Ambassador and you have boots on the ground over there, I hope you will stay in touch with our committee and with those of us who are deeply interested in this.

I remain concerned, as do many Americans, that while we have welcomed the building of 70 Confucius Centers in the United States, China has authorized only five American Centers to be built on Chinese soil.

This is an unprecedented moment of opportunity for political reform in the region--reform necessary for longer term regional stability.

USCIRF has played and continues to play an important and positive role in advocating for religious freedom throughout the world.

A Pew Foundation study from December 2009 indicated that approximately 70 percent of the population of the world lives in areas where religious freedom is severely restricted.

Well, you have named some very excellent priorities.

How do your responsibilities interact with those of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom?