China Critics Offer Alternative Legislation

Their proposals seek to press China on human rights

WASHINGTON (June 23) -- With congressional lawmakers likely to approve normal trade status to China for another year, China critics plan to present various alternative proposals to advance human rights in China. At least a few of the proposals have President Bill Clinton's backing.

Late last week Clinton won support for his China engagement policy from Rep. John Porter (R-Ill.), a longtime foe of most-favored-nation status, by agreeing to fund 24-hour, U.S.-backed radio broadcasts aimed at China. Clinton also agreed to beef up funding for the U.S. Endowment For Democracy, a group that promotes elections abroad.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who reluctantly agreed to back normal trade status for China, asked the president to work with Porter and House members on a package of additional programs, which would:

• Increase educational exchange programs for Chinese students to study abroad.

• Require the administration to publish a list of companies that do business with Chinese military affiliates, and maintain a list of political prisoners being held in China.

• Bar visas to Chinese leaders who sell high-tech weaponry or are implicated in human-rights abuses.

Separately, Rep. Christopher Cox announced plans to introduce an package of reforms the day after Congress votes on most-favored-nation status. The California Republican said in a statement that Clinton "has failed to act firmly to promote freedom and human rights in communist China."

Cox's program would:

• Bar normal trade status to the Chinese military and the industries it controls.

• Require the State Department to issue regular reports on Chinese political and economic espionage, and efforts to affect U.S. politics.

• Reduce U.S. contributions to international banks equal to the value of U.S. subsidies to China.

• Bar visas to Chinese officials who participate in population control or religious persecution.

• Create two new U.S. government positions in Beijing to monitor human rights.

• Give preference to Taiwan for admission to the World Trade Organization.