Still think "Most Favored Nation" decision by Congress was right?
From Yahoo:
LINFEN, China (AFP) – Christians in north China are facing a Christmas of fear after 10 local religious leaders were jailed in recent weeks and their new church shut down amid a crackdown on unauthorised worship.
Five of the church leaders were given prison terms of up to seven-years by a Linfen court, while the others were sentenced without trial to labour camps for two years, their lawyer said.
Their crimes? "Illegally occupying farm land" and "disturbing transportation through a mass gathering".
"The authorities are clearly sending a message to the Christians," lawyer Li Fanping, who defended the church leaders at their trial last month, told AFP. He expressed shock at the severity of the punishment for minor offences.
"They've convicted them of these specific crimes. As Christmas is coming, a lot of Christians will want to gather to worship, but the authorities have made it clear what can happen if they gather."
At the time of that debate referenced above, part of the argument in favor of granting permanent "Most Favored Nation" status to China was that this would help lead to the communist government being more open to democratic reform, and respect for individual freedoms and "Inalienable Rights" are concerned.
But instead, this has led to an irresponsible, lopsided trade policy with China that has resulted in China's military becoming more powerfull.
Continued oppression of freedom of religion by a Communist athiest government.
Continued forced abortions.
Former president Clinton's statement on China "Most Favored Nation" status in 1993. An excerpt:
"Yesterday the American people won a tremendous victory as a majority of the House of Representatives joined me in adopting our plan to revitalize America's economic future."
"Today Members of Congress have joined me to announce a new chapter in United States policy toward China."
"China occupies an important place in our Nation's foreign policy. It is the world's most populous state, its fastest growing major economy, and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Its future will do much to shape the future of Asia, our security and trade relations in the Pacific, and a host of global issues from the environment to weapons proliferation. In short, our relationship with China is of very great importance."
"Unfortunately, over the past 4 years our Nation spoke with a divided voice when it came to China. Americans were outraged by the killing of prodemocracy demonstrators at Tiananmen Square in June of 1989. Congress was determined to have our Nation's stance toward China reflect our outrage. Yet twice after Congress voted to place conditions on our favorable trade rules toward China, so-called most-favored-nation status, those conditions were vetoed. The annual battles between Congress and the Executive divided our foreign policy and weakened our approach over China."
"It is time that a unified American policy recognize both the value of China and the values of America. Starting today, the United States will speak with one voice on China policy. We no longer have an executive branch policy and a congressional policy. We have an American policy."
"I am happy to have with me today key congressional leaders on this issue. I am also honored to be joined by representatives of the business community and several distinguished Chinese student leaders. Their presence here is a tangible symbol of the unity of our purpose. I particularly want to recognize Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell of Maine and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California. Their tireless dedication to the cause of freedom in China has given voice to our collective concerns. I intend to continue working closely with Congress as we pursue our China policy. "
Nancy Pelosi and George Mitchell are heavily involved in Obama's policies.
Mitchell spearheads pressure on Israel to engage in the false delusion of "Roadmap" appeasement.
While Pelosi is Obama's health care speed-queen democratic speaker of the U.S. House.
Sad to say there were Republicans who joined with democrats in approving China MFN at that time.
Were they right?
Our trade poicy with China, before the country got into this predicament, should have been a performanced-based economic policy directly relating to democratic reform and freedom for China's people. But these attempts all met defeat in Congress, or vetoes by the president.