Some reporters. understandably. are beginning to exercise selfcensorship out of fear for their own and their families fate after 1997. The purpose of the bill I am introducing today is to help alleviate the intimidation that the Chinese authorities are now exercising against the Hong Kong press. The bill will extend up to 1.500 visas to Hong Kong reporters and their families. The visas could be used at any time between January 1. 1997 and January 1. 2002. The visas could be issued to any resident of Hong Kong. whether they are a Hong Kong or Chinese national. who have been journalists for a least 3 years and whose vocation is likely to subject them to harassment or worse. I understand that 1.500 visas could provide a safe haven for 300 to 500 key journalists and their families. Our hope in introducing this bill. however. is that the visas provided for will be a safety net that allows journalists to stay in Hong Kong and write. speak. and broadcast the unvarnished truth about China and Hong Kong. The purpose of this bill is not to encourage Hong Kong journalists to emigrate to the United States. The purpose is to increase the freedom of the press in Hong Kong. which is critical to maintaining the freedom of all Hong Kong people. Mr.
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