In a Senate speech, Helms introduced a resolution formally opposing extension of Most Favored Nation trading status for China.
"The United States must conduct its policy toward China on the basis of morality as well as pragmatism,'' said Helms, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "When a country like China gets normal trade relations with the United States, it is getting better treatment than China deserves and that's just plain wrong.''
The MFN designation is far less beneficial than it sounds, merely extending to China the same trade rights, tariff obligations and access to U.S. markets as all but a handful of U.S. trading partners.
But Helms said China's human rights record does not warrant even equal trading status.
President Clinton in May formally asked Congress to extend China's MFN status. Helms and Senator Russell Feingold, a Democrat, are cosponsoring the resolution opposing the extension.
"Pick your issue,'' Feingold said. "Suppression of free speech, reliance on prison labor, occupation of Tibet, curtailment of civil liberties, the growing number of political prisoners -- even after many years of so-called constructive engagement, China has made little progress in any of these areas.''
Free traders, such as Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, as well as Democrats who favor improved relations with Beijing and lawmakers from states that trade heavily with Asia appear likely to form a powerful coalition in support of the administration's policy.
The impending reversion of Hong Kong from a British colony to part of mainland China adds heat to the debate.
Earlier Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard testimony on an extradition treaty between the United States and Hong Kong designed to remain in effect after the British colony reverts to China as of July 1.
Two Clinton administration officials urged Senate ratification of the agreement, noting that Hong Kong will retain a separate judicial system after it comes under Beijing's control. Under the extradition treaty, fugitives returned to Hong Kong from the United States could not be turned over to mainland Chinese law enforcement authorities without U.S. agreement.
"There is a compelling law enforcement need to continue our extradition relationship,'' said Mark Richard, deputy assistant attorney general.
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