美國參議院參議院多數黨領袖麥康瞭（Sen. Mitch McConnell），美國香港政策法起草人，（其夫人來自台灣），七月廿三日在參議院發言，撐香港人反送中街頭抗爭。麥康瞭明言北京及其代理人懾於百萬港人遊行，暫緩送中惡法，但並非撤回，志在等待時機，重新蠶食。麥康瞭強調中國如何對香港人，就如對維吾爾人或西藏人，是中國在國外如何行事的指標。麥康瞭又話美國一直與港人同行，其本人一九九二年起草美國 - 香港政策法，奠定美國對香港特殊地位的立場，深感自豪。演辭全文由曾焯文翻譯如下：
中國人權不及霸權
最近幾週，我談到美國與俄羅斯、中國等大國的重新競爭。儘管美國幾十年來努力歡迎這些國家建立和平繁榮和公平的國際體系，但這些國家另有打算。據其願景，基本原則如主權、自由、人權、有規有矩的國際秩序，每每不及強權政治及霸權主義。
送中條例只是暫緩，並非撤回
例如，中共最近正在努力加強控制影響台灣、柬埔寨、老撾、緬甸、香港等地。工具和戰術或有一同，但目標相同：北京希望令鄰舍折腰。本月早些時候，經劃時代示威之後，香港政府暫停送中條例立法，送中條例這將進一步侵蝕香港自治權，增加大陸干預。但自由自治未能言勝。送中條例只是暫緩，並非撤回。
香港克警同藍絲越來越嗜血
這種反北京猖獗影響的勝利，並不常見，香港人受到鼓舞，繼續行使集會自由，欲重奪近年被中國侵蝕的自治權利。抗爭仍然持續，香港當局效忠北京，隨之反撲。越來越兇殘的警察和親中勢力越來越嗜血，想恐嚇香港龜縮投降。
香港自治、政治自由、法治穩定，是香港蓬勃發展，安定繁榮的大前提。美國公司投資香港經濟數以百億美元計，皆因相信香港特區自治，司法獨立以及與北京區隔。相比之下，由於擔憂中國腐敗專制，侵犯知識產權，國家支持企業間諜活動，國際公司目前正撤離中國。
中國隱藏意圖，等待時機
因此，中國面臨增長放緩，北京應效仿香港，而非吞沒香港，照中共形象重塑香港。中華人民共和國長期以來一直努力增加影響力權力。在香港，就如許多其他領地區，中國用的是專家所謂隱藏待機法。隱藏意圖，等待時機。慢慢削弱阻力，建立優勢，逐步蠶食。
中國如何對港人是中國在國外如何行事的指標
就香港而言，北京及其代理人過了火位，正在重新部署。他們暫緩送中條例，等待時機，重新蠶食。這不僅僅是香港人的問題。中國如何對香港人，就如對維吾爾人或西藏人，是中國統治者在國外如何行事的指標。所有與中國貿易的國家都應關注香港的街頭抗爭。
美國一直與港人同行
全世界都關注同疑惑：如果某政府不能尊重聲稱係自己公民的基本權利，為何該政府在會在國際尊重鄰國，貿易夥伴或投資公司的權利。眾所周知，香港人幾十年來一直搖旗吶喊。我們在美國一直與港人同行，我引以為榮。 本人一九九二年起草美國 - 香港政策法，幫助奠定美國對香港特殊地位的立場，我深感自豪。
密切留意香港民主自治
時值中華人民共和國成立七十週年，天安門廣場大屠殺三十週年，我感謝美國政府和國會兩黨正重新審視美中關係。我很感激兩黨同僚對這重要問題合作無間，深信國會將繼續舉行聽證會，保持警惕，密切留意香港民主自治、中國整體戰略如何影響美國、盟國同全世界。
FB link:
pic credit: Sen. Mcconnell's video
Sen. Mcconnell's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj8-tT1p13M&fbclid=IwAR2E0gsCPgNH7XsUSAC3ZoP1pyztmOzJzgYd3MOcxBEGWG8DGv_dEA6a9Wc
#MitchMcConnell #extraditionlaw #hongkongpolicyact #maga2020 #keepamericagreatagain #chapmanchen #克警 #黑警
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding protests in Hong Kong over a proposed extradition law:
“In recent weeks I’ve spoken about our nation’s renewed competition with other great powers such as Russia and China. Despite decades of efforts to welcome these nations into a peaceful, prosperous, and fair international system, we are constantly reminded that these nations have their own designs on the future. And in their visions, foundational principles of sovereignty, freedom, human rights, and a rules-based international order tend to take a backseat to power politics and the pursuit of hegemony.
“The Chinese Communist Party, for example, is working to extend its control and influence everywhere from Taiwan, to Cambodia, to Laos, to Burma, to Hong Kong, as we’ve seen recently. The tools and tactics may differ but the goal is the same: Beijing wants to bend its neighbors to its will. Earlier this month, after historic protests, Hong Kong’s government hit pause on legislation that would have further eroded its autonomy and invited more meddling from the mainland. But victory for freedom and autonomy is not yet assured. The bill in question has been suspended, but it hasn’t been totally withdrawn.
“Hong Kong’s people, emboldened by this rare victory over Beijing’s creeping influence, have continued to exercise their freedom of assembly to reclaim the rights, privileges, and autonomy slowly sliced away in recent years by the PRC. Protests continue, and with them, countervailing pressures from authorities beholden to Beijing. Increasingly brutal police tactics and pro-Mainland vigilantes are drawing blood in an effort to intimidate Hong Kongers back into submission.
“Hong Kong’s autonomous governance, political freedoms, and stable rule of law have been a crucial preconditions of its tremendous growth and prosperity. U.S. firms have invested tens of billions in Hong Kong’s economy because they trust the autonomous region’s political climate, independent judicial system, and degree of independence from Beijing. By contrast, international firms are currently pulling back from China due to concerns about corruption, autocracy, intellectual property rights violations, and state-sponsored corporate espionage.
“So, at a time when China faces slowing growth, Beijing should seek to emulate Hong Kong. Not to engulf Hong Kong and remake it in the image of the Chinese Communist Party. The PRC has long been working hard under the surface to increase its influence and power. In Hong Kong, like in so many other areas, China’s used its approach that experts have called ‘hide and bide.’ Hiding their intentions and biding their time. Slowly slicing away resistance. Building leverage. And encroaching, one little step at a time.
“In the case of Hong Kong, Beijing and its agents have overreached. But they are recalculating. Postponing action on this legislation while biding time to resume the encroachment. This is not just a matter for the people of Hong Kong. The PRC’s treatment of Hong Kong – just like its treatment of Uighurs or Tibetans Beijing claims as citizens – is an indicator of how China’s rulers will behave abroad. All nations who trade with the PRC should be watching the drama unfolding on the streets of Hong Kong.
“The world is watching and wondering: If a government cannot respect the basic rights of people it claims as its own citizens, why on Earth would it be trusted to respect the rights and interests of its neighbors, its trading partners, or the companies that invest in its economy? As we all know, the people of Hong Kong have been carrying this banner for decades. And I’m proud to say that here in the United States, we’ve been marching alongside them the entire way. In 1992, I was proud to author the U.S. - Hong Kong Policy Act and help codify America’s stance on the special status of Hong Kong.
“And so, on the 70th anniversary of the PRC and the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, I am grateful the administration and the Congress – on a bipartisan basis – is re-examining America’s relationship with the PRC. I am grateful for the bipartisan work my colleagues have done on this important issue, and I am confident Congress will continue to hold hearings and stay vigilant on the subject of autonomy and democracy in Hong Kong, as well as China’s overall strategy and its implications for the United States, our allies, and the entire world.”
Comments