David Skaggs: “We all want to see a China that cooperates in regional and global peacekeeping. We all want to see a China that follows…”

“We all want to see a China that cooperates in regional and global peacekeeping. We all want to see a China that follows international proliferation and trade rules. And we all want to see a China that respects human rights. We can all agree on these goals. The question is--How do we best reach them? We have two China measures before us today. One measure, introduced by Mr. Cox of California condemns China and instructs several House committees to hold hearings and to prepare legislation that will address serious and growing concerns with Chinese human rights abuses, nuclear and chemical weapons proliferation, illegal weapons trading, military intimidation of Taiwan, and trade violations. This is a constructive measure which I will support. A second measure seeks to isolate China. By disapproving renewal of so-called most-favored-nation [MFN] trading status for China, it would at best severely damage the already-troubled economic and political relationship between the United States and China. I call it 'so-called most-favored nation status' because MFN simply confers on China the same trading status we give to all but seven other countries. MFN is not a special deal for China. I will not support this measure, because I believe it would be counterproductive. Cutting off MFN would hurt the Chinese economy and put thousands of Chinese out of work. Given recent Chinese behavior in several areas, I admit there's a certain emotional appeal to this consequence.”