Ben Cardin

I think that is a false choice.

Do you accept the view that the world's leading State Sponsor of Terrorism--a nation that has directly contributed to the deaths of thousands of Americans--would somehow reform their behavior after being enriched and empowered for pursuing…

Just let me point out for the record, a 3-year authorization goes into the next administration, so----

I do not want to----

I think your testimony has been extremely helpful, and I thank you for that.

I think the United States continues to be quite inconsistent about issues about political rights and democracy in Hong Kong and China.

Hong Kong's special status in economic power in large part depends on an open relationship with the United States.

You do not have the autonomy unless you have the right to select your leader.

The people of Hong Kong deserve no less than their counterparts in other countries.

This does not leave me hopeful that this is a government that, at any point in the near future, is going to be more open and more accommodating.

I do believe that the autonomy is very important.

This government, as it is currently structured in China, is--this is their nature, is to control, to be authoritarian.

I would just underscore the urgency of a strategy that includes more than just words as it relates to the autonomy and our relationship with Hong Kong.

It appears very clear to us that China is influencing the implementation of universal suffrage in a way that is inconsistent with the commitment they gave.

I think actions are also important. And we are concerned about how the protesters are going to be treated.

Congress is prepared to take action, which... reinstates our basic commitment to human rights.

The 1992 United States-Hong Kong Policy Act... spelled out very clearly that human rights are of great importance to the United States and directly relevant to United States interests in Hong Kong.

This will be the last hearing that I chair for the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

That bodes ill for the future of the region, and, quite frankly, of the world, as China takes on a greater economic and military importance.

This is not a technical violation... this is clearly inconsistent and totally against the commitment made by China for allowing universal suffrage.

In 1992, we said human rights are of great importance to the United States and directly relevant to U.S. interests in Hong Kong.

If we are hanging our hopes that more economic interchange with them is going to somehow transform them into a more open, more liberalized, and more inclusive government, it does not seem that way at this point.

We will continue to voice our support for universal suffrage in Hong Kong and to stand up for universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Let me welcome you all to the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

I would ask, Mr. Chairman, that nothing in the legislation should undermine the principle that Hong Kong is autonomous.