WASHINGTON – ongressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) will testify before the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission on Tuesday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m. in 385 Russell Senate Office Building. The hearing entitled “Access to Information in the People’s Republic of China,” will focus on the impact of China’s restrictions on speech and access to information on our nation and its economic and national security interests.
“I believe that this is an extremely timely and important issue affecting U.S.-China relations. It is clear that China is attempting—and in many ways succeeding—to micromanage the messages on television, newspapers, the Internet and even text messages on mobile phones. The Chinese government’s control and manipulation of information has led to increased ultra-nationalism and hatred of America, which has become a national security issue for the United States.
“Censorship in China is also a continuation of the culture of fear and a culture of secrets. And history has shown us that societies do not thrive and governments do not govern well under a veil of secrets and lies. The Chinese population is too big, it’s military too strong and its economic influence too great for us to ignore what is happening,” said Hastings.
The U.S. Helsinki Commission will hold a hearing on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in room B-318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing, entitled “Freedom of the Media in the OSCE Region,” will focus on trends regarding freedom of the media in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) participating States.
