Giving the People's Republic of China Permanent Mfn: Implications for U.S. Policy: Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Second Session, April 11, 2000

OCLC Number: (OCoLC)45408540 Subject: Favored nation clause -- China. Excerpt: ... The Chairman. I have had it whispered in my ear that Senator Biden ... Show synopsis OCLC Number: (OCoLC)45408540 Subject: Favored nation clause -- China. Excerpt: ... The Chairman. I have had it whispered in my ear that Senator Biden has another meeting that he had scheduled. He will be further delayed in coming here, at which time he will make his statement, and he has suggested that we proceed.On our first panel, we welcome Mr. Wei Jingsheng, with whom I have just shaken hands. Mr. Wei is China's most prominent dissident, having spent a total of 19 years of his life in Chinese prisons and forced labor camps. Mr. Wei's prison letters were published in 1997 in his book, The Courage to Stand Alone: Letters from Prison and Other Writings.'Mr. Wei's exceptional courage, sir--in the face of a brutal and immoral regime is bound to humble anyone who takes for granted the freedoms enjoyed by the American people, and we are glad to hear from you and welcome you, and you may proceed.STATEMENT OF WEI JINGSHENG, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, NYMr.Wei [as translated by Dimon Liu]. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, all Senators.It is often said that if China receives normal trading status they will become more moderate. Let's just say, if they receive such a status and see what they would be at.The last 2 years, since the demonstration has become more moderate toward China, the Chinese Government's attitude toward human rights has become more severe. This is the message I return just now from Geneva.If you give now China the permanent NTR, then this will be even fewer restraint on the Chinese Government, and human rights situation would deteriorate further.The Chinese enterprises have not become accustomed to the world market, and if you give China WTO then there will be a large number of Chinese enterprise that would go bankrupt.This is widely acknowledged by the Chinese Government, including Lee Pung. He does not dispute this conclusion. The economic situation in China now is very... Hide synopsis