Congressman Smith’s Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

We’ve seen the news of many thousands of citizens of Hong Kong taking to the streets to protest the erosion of their Human Rights and Democracy.

Congressman Chris Smith has introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act four times since 2014.  Today, the bill will have a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Should it become law, the bill will:

• Direct the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
• Direct the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants’ arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong.
• Require an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws.
• Require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.
• Require the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and serious abuses of human rights.
• And it contains a waiver provision that helps ensure that our actions protect the great people of Hong and enhance Hong Kong’s autonomy rather than inadvertently harming it.

Below are Congressman Smith remarks, as prepared for delivery, to be delivered during the debate in the House this afternoon:

Chris Smith’s Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019—H.R. 3289

Remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) the prime sponsor of H.R. 3289—a bill to be considered by the full U.S. of Representatives on October 15, 2019

Since the 1989 Tiananmen massacre thirty years ago, I’ve had the privilege of working in a bipartisan way with colleagues on both sides of the aisle—including Speaker Pelosi—on human rights, the rule of law and democracy for the people of China.

We have always believed that every person in China deserves better than the brutality so many endure and the systematic violations of their universally recognized human rights.

Under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution and human trafficking  have significantly worsened.

And we have always understood that solemn promises made by Beijing—were seldom kept—and that far too many leaders of the free world were far too eager to blindly accept fiction over fact.

Broken promises are the rule not the exception under Xi and is again on display in Hong Kong.

During the 2014 Umbrella Movement  the world saw the courageous people of Hong Kong demanding that Beijing not renege on promises made to ensure universal suffrage, basic rights and authentic elections in 2017.

Despite Mr. Xi’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors—then and especially now—the resolve, courage, tenacity and clarity of purpose of the people of Hong Kong shines through the darkness like the sun.

Two days ago, Reuters reported that Mr. Xi told leaders in Nepal: “Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones.”

Xi’s government excels in crushing bodies and shattering bones and torturing dissidents and filling concentration camps.

But today we’re urging restraint by the Chinese President and by the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, to faithfully honor the government’s promises.

Let’s not forget that the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that facilitated the conveyance of Hong Kong from the UK to the China beginning July 1, 1997 was absolutely clear that autonomy, human rights including press, assembly, association and religion would be exactly the same as before the handover for at least 50 years.

The “Basic Law” of Hong Kong adopted by China’s National People’s Congress in 1990—before the giveback—was also clear that autonomy and rights would be protected.

Even before the latest round of peaceful protests, the U.S. State Department reported that rights and liberties in Hong Kong have “diminished”.

On a daily basis we are reminded of the desire of the brave people of Hong Kong to be free, and how the totalitarian regime of Xi Jinping is working to dismantle the rights and liberties of the people of Hong Kong piecemeal.

The great young leader Joshua Wong reminded us that a fourth of the population of Hong Kong—about 2 million people—turned out for one of the peaceful protests.  Where has that ever happened?

Five years ago—in 2014—joined by Mrs. Pelosi, I introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.  We did it again in 2015 ,  in 2017 and again this year.

Our new bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019—cosponsored by Mr. McGovern—is a blueprint for meaningful action.

Specifically, the Act:

• Directs the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.

• Directs the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants’ arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong.

• Requires an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws.

• Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.

• Requires the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and serious abuses of human rights.

• And it contains a waiver provision that helps ensure that our actions protect the great people of Hong and enhance Hong Kong’s autonomy rather than inadvertently harming it.

I’ve heard it said that “the business of Hong Kong is business”, but it is clear to me now that the business of Hong Kong is freedom and democracy.