"These companies tell us they will change China. But China has already changed them."

Some highlights from opening statements:

Rep. Chris Smith:

“Like Yahoo, MSN defended its decision by asserting that MSN is committed to complying with “local laws, norms, and industry practices in China.” Regrettably, I haven’t been able to find an MSN statement on its commitment to global laws, norms, and industry practices protecting human rights in China.”

“I hope this hearing might be the beginning of a different sort of dialogue – a discussion on how American high-tech firms can partner with the U.S. government and human rights activists to bring down the Great Firewall of China, and on how America’s greatest software engineers can use their intelligence to create innovative new products to protect dissidents and promote human rights.”

Rep. Tom Lantos:

Lantos says that while he welcomes the opportunity of working with this new and emerging superpower, he is concerned about what’s happening. Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, and Cisco have thrived “based on our constitutional guarrantee of freedom of expresison ” …yet they have “caved in to the ridiculous demands” of the chinese government. He says: “when you type in the words “oxymoron” you find the names of Google, Microsoft Yahoo and Cisco….What congress is looking for is real spine and willingness to stand up to outrageous demands of totalitarian regime.”

Lantos’ message: “your abhorrent activities in China are a disgrace. I simply do not understand how your corporate leadershp sleeps at night.” Citing the parallel between complying with Chinese censorship and complying with German government censorship of Nazi websites is “beneath contempt.” The German government is acting as democratic representative of the people. China has rubber stamp parliament, the Chinese government has no moral qualms about suppressing religious and political dissent. If the Chinese govt passes a law saying that all women are forbidden to use email will Google comply?

“These companies tell us that they will change China. But china has already changed them.”

Comments

[Jessy]

this morning the both the hearing and overflow rooms were full.... can anyone there tell me if it's thinning out now? i would love to catch the end of the hearing. thanks!

[Alfred Thompson]

Given Lantos' position against the second amendment he is one of the last people in Congress who should be preaching on civil rights. After he starts fighting for (rather than against) the rights of Americans he can start fighting for the rights of others. What a hypocrite!

[Kevin]

This is a really important discussion. However, reading the remarks of Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. Tom Lantos I can see that these guys know bullocks about China. It is unfortunate that they are the ones leading the discussion.

Rep. Chris Smith said, "I hope this hearing might be the beginning of a different sort of dialogue – a discussion on how American high-tech firms can partner with the U.S. government and human rights activists to bring down the Great Firewall of China."

As if that is going to happen. China's Great Wall has stood for over 2000 years with no foreigners knocking it down and the Great Firewall is not going to be any different.

Currently there is a home-brewed backlash against the harsh censorship in China. This backlash could be stomped out very quickly should the proponents of harsh censorship in China be given the chance to strengthen their stance by pointing out that if China were to loosen restrictions on censorship China could be seen as bowing to pressure from the US Congress.

[anonymous]

I think this is overblown political grandstanding. Critics are using this issue for their own aggrandizement - politicians and activist. If the US believes China is abusing human rights the government should deal with it. Where in the consitiution does it say that us businesses are responsible for foreign policy?

[anonymous again]

There is a human rights problem in China. But it's disgustingly hypocritical when politicians and activists demand someone else refrain from doing business with China when they go ahead, business as usual, and support the corrupt regime with every "Made in China" purchase they make. Do the congressmen own stock in companies that manufacture and assemble goods in China? These companies pay unfaily low wages and are built on property unfairly taken from farmers. Do YOU, readers, buy goods made in China? You are supporting this "corrupt oppressive" regime.

Why is the blogosphere up in arms about this situation? Because it's something they can write about to fill "column inches", to get people to click on their blogs and rise in the food chain and for some to sell advertising. The blogosphere has the same 24 hour news cycle pressure to generate words that the msm has, and this is easy pickings. The indignation is sanctimonius self-delusion.

[XYZ]

Have to be approved to appear on this weblog? Looks like censorship to me!!