Washington, DC – In response to a speech by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in Hong Kong, Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement:

“In remarks before business leaders in Hong Kong, former Governor Palin urged China to ‘rise responsibly.’ As she continues on the lecture circuit, Ms. Palin would do well to take her own advice. Leaving aside the propriety of criticizing the president while on her first trip to Asia, the assertion that the United States is ignoring areas of disagreement with China is flat wrong. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue launched by the Obama Administration earlier this year has provided the right forum to discuss a wide range of issues involving common interests as well as significant policy differences between Washington and Beijing. And when I met with Chinese leaders in August, they were very open about aspects of trade, human rights and global security on which we still are seeking agreement, but were overwhelmingly positive about the current state of the U.S.-China relationship. I believe this is the direct result of the work that the Obama Administration has done to put this relationship on the right course.”


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