Asa Hutchinson: “on the eve of the President's visit to China, we learn that the Chinese Government has pulled the visas of three U.S.…”

“on the eve of the President's visit to China, we learn that the Chinese Government has pulled the visas of three U.S. reporters who work for Radio Free Asia and had planned to cover the President's trip. Mr. Speaker, this is an outrage and an affront to democracy. Today, an expert in Asian studies at George Washington University said in the Washington Post, ``In the end, the Clinton visit is much more about symbolism than substance.'' Well, if that is the case, then we are sending the wrong signals if we stand idly by and tacitly cooperate in this denial of freedom for these three reporters for Radio Free Asia. The President frequently uses Radio Free Asia as an example of how the United States should push China to improve human rights without using trade sanctions. It is now time, Mr. Speaker, to put actions with our words. We should stand with our reporters, and if the voice of democracy in Asia cannot travel with the President, then the President should not travel.”