Walter B. Jones: “the debate about granting most-favored-nation status to China is not just about trade, it is about human rights. We in…”

“the debate about granting most-favored-nation status to China is not just about trade, it is about human rights. We in the United States place great value on our freedoms. The freedom of speech and the freedom to practice religion are ideals on which our country was founded. The United States is the greatest, freest nation in the world. We enjoy the status, and yet we continue to support the oppressive Chinese Government through trade. This is not right. The Government of the People's Republic of China is one of the most oppressive governments in the world. We have all seen footage of the terrible massacre in Tiananmen Square. Unfortunately, such massacres are hardly rare occurrences in China. The Chinese people suffer horrible violations of their basic human rights every day. Citizens have been arrested for crimes such as signing petitions to protect human rights and speaking out peacefully in favor of democracy. Thousands of those arrested for supporting democracy or human rights become political prisoners in Chinese jails where they are beaten and tortured. To make matters worse, Mr. Speaker, China's human rights violations extend well beyond the political realm. The Chinese people are often arrested as criminals simply for holding religious beliefs.”