Joel Hefley: “those who support most-favored-nation status for China argue that maintaining open trade with China would spur economic…”

“those who support most-favored-nation status for China argue that maintaining open trade with China would spur economic growth, as well, and have a consequence of social reform. While I sympathize with this position, I am opposed to extending MFN status to China, and instead favor imposing conditions upon our future trade designation. China has a continuing legacy of human rights violations and oppression of its citizens which cannot be ignored. The events of Tiananmen Square provided the world with a clear picture of the Chinese Government's ruthless and immoral nature. Year after year we have been told, ``Give most-favored-nation status to China and we can win them over.'' We heard that during the Bush years. We hear it during the Clinton years. Let us look at the score card a little bit regarding this strategy. We gave most-favored-nation status and they continue their policy of population planning with forced abortion. We gave most-favored-nation status and they continue not to tolerate any dissent of any kind, and the imprisonments, the torture, and the killings go on. We gave most-favored-nation status and they continue to try to stamp out any religion that is not state-supported religion, and the murders of priests and ministers continue. We gave most-favored-nation status and they throw out the elected legislators in Hong Kong and replace them with handpicked Beijing lackeys. We gave most-favored-nation status and they made plans to invade Taiwan.”