Cass Ballenger: “Once again, Mr. Speaker we find ourselves debating the renewal of most-favored-nation status for the People's Republic…”

“Once again, Mr. Speaker we find ourselves debating the renewal of most-favored-nation status for the People's Republic of China. It has become an annual exercise, one that exposes the deep division in our Nation over our relationship with the most populous nation in the world. I am reluctantly going to vote against the resolution of disapproval, House Joint Resolution 79, authored by my esteemed colleague from New York, Mr. Solomon. I am reluctant because China is governed by an authoritarian regime which represses its people and brutally cracks down on dissent. I, like so many of my colleagues, want to take action to force China to change, to become democratic and to ensure that all the people of that nation have the opportunity to participate fully in economic social, political, and religious freedom. But, how do we accomplish this? Will terminating MFN status achieve these ends? I must reluctantly conclude that it will not. I believe that the United States can do more to advance the cause of human rights and foster religious, economic and political freedom if we continue to engage the Chinese in economic cooperation. Social freedoms--like freedom of religion--are a direct result of economic liberalization. If we remove all of China's trade privileges, we are not only isolating that country, but we are losing any opportunity to improve human rights there.”