Speech #960188179

Where this is not possible. the agreement explicitly recognizes the right to take unilateral action. The Finance Committee fully expects that the President will take vigorous action under our law to prevent market disruption or unfair trade practices. I should add a word regarding Chinese emigration policies. though we are not directly voting on those issues at this time. By the available yardsticks. the PRCs emigration record has improved. Emigration through Hong Kong has trebled since 1977. and visa applications at the U.S. Embassy have risen dramatically. Public statements of Chinese authorities seem to indicate a continuing intent to liberalize emigration policies. On this basis. and with the Presidents determination that he had adequate public and confidential assurances that the Chinese would pursue freer emigration policies. the Finance Committee concluded that this trade agreement should not be blocked on emigration grounds. Let me be candid. I do not regard approval of this trade agreement as a clean bill of health for the PRCs emigration policies. much less its overall human rights record. Communist China remains a totalitarian state. where individual freedoms are lacking. Chinese emigration practices have improved. but the close nature of Chinese society makes it extremely difficult to know to what extent that government inhibits emigration. We on the Finance Committee and in the Senate generally will have an opportunity this summer to review and vote on the extension of the JacksonVanik waiver with regard to the PRC and other countries. I intend to examine the record carefully to assure that the waiver is indeed fulfilling its intended purpose.