Sherrod Brown: “China has done it again. Yesterday, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji threatened violence against Taiwan because it is holding…”

“China has done it again. Yesterday, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji threatened violence against Taiwan because it is holding free elections. He said to the people of Taiwan, ``Do not act with impulse at this juncture. Otherwise, I am afraid you will not get another opportunity to regret.'' This Chinese dictatorship condones forced abortions, engages in religious persecution against Christians and Muslims and Buddhists, has institutionalized slave labor and child labor. Even attempting to form an independent labor union in China is an offense punishable by death. Mr. Speaker, Congress has been promised over and over that free market capitalism will create a more democratic and less hostile China. Yet, after 10 years of U.S. engagement with China, that nation remains a nation ruled by an authoritarian government with a violent aversion to human rights and a hostility to environment and labor standards. What makes anyone think the next 10 years will be different? There are more corporate jets at Reagan National Airport during congressional debate on China every year than at any time during the year. A WTO deal for China is more about gaining access to a billion workers than it is a billion consumers. Vote no on permanent NTR.”