ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND TOURISM January 24, 2001 3:35 p.m. COMMITTEE CALENDAR  PRESENTATION BY CHINESE DISSIDENT WEI, JINGSHENG; PRESENTATION BY AK TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSC. TAPES  01-2, SIDES A & B CALL TO ORDER  REPRESENTATIVE LESIL McGUIRE, Chair, called the House Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism to order at 3:35 p.m. PRESENT  Committee members present were Representatives McGuire, Green, James, Morgan, Masek and Guess. Also present were Representative Porter, Speaker of the House, as well as Representative Berkowitz. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION  WEI, JINGSHENG (through DAVID MA, his translator) informed the committee that American businesses should be cautious when entering into trade agreements with China. Good business is not only earning a profit, but also doing so while keeping in mind violations of (human) rights that are related to it. The issue of human rights needs to be addressed when pursuing business in China. China's laws are enacted to protect the government and repress the people, whereas American laws are enacted to protect the country's citizens. DAVID MA said U.S. immigration laws should in the future become more lenient to Chinese citizens who are fleeing oppression in China. He related this message to his own experiences in attempting to escape repression. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES briefly touched on the position of the United States regarding giving China "Most Favored Nation Status." She asked Mr. Wei's opinion. REPRESENTATIVE MASEK commended Mr. Wei on his bravery and accomplishments. She explained that her husband had also been imprisoned at one time. TINA LINDGREN, President, Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), discussed the ATIA's plans for the future and answered committee members' questions. ANNOUNCEMENTS  There were no announcements. COMMITTEE ACTION  The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT  CHAIR McGUIRE adjourned the House Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism meeting at an unspecified time. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Second Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.