COMMITTEE OF 100 PRINCIPLES OF GUIDANCE FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES ON CHINA-RELATED ISSUES
(Washington, D.C.—June 27, 2012)—The Committee of 100, an organization of Chinese American leaders, today released Principles of Guidance for political candidates on China related issues.
The United States is an exceptional nation. Our diverse democracy upholds the greatest ideals of belonging for people of all backgrounds and thrives on an electoral process that allows everyone to participate as equals.
The United States and its voters are facing important issues related to China. Our concerns include potential outsourcing of jobs, trade balances, currency valuation, environmental protection, and human rights. Robust discussion about the Chinese government and Chinese companies is to be expected and should be welcomed. The American people have many different opinions that help develop the best policies.
However, the use of racial images, mocking of Asian languages, characterizations of Asians as a group, and other crude stereotyping is a different matter. It has a direct, immediate and negative effect on the loyal community of Chinese Americans, and, more generally, Asian Americans. The more than 17 million citizens and permanent residents of Asian ancestry, among whom the largest group is of Chinese heritage, hold the same aspiration as do all Americans: the opportunity to succeed and contribute to society. Thus we ask that all candidates as well as their campaigns refrain from China-bashing that does more harm than good.
Instead, a discussion of serious issues based on the facts will inspire us to make good on our strengths. Chinese Americans have much to add to constructive debate about the best course for America.
We ask that our friends who are pursuing the many offices throughout the land – local, state and federal – be conscious of the risk that rhetorical attacks on China historically have led to real attacks on Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans. Chinese Americans have been here for more than five generations, including not only those who have arrived more recently but also those who are adopted or who have intermarried.
Like other Americans, Chinese Americans are affected by our relationship to China. Unfortunately, we often are perceived wrongly as responsible for the attitudes and actions of a foreign government and multinational corporations. Indeed, there already has been racially-charged advertising that impacts Chinese Americans.
The Committee of 100 is confident that by working together, we will be able to respect differences while seeking common ground. We will become the better for it.
Dominic Ng, Committee of 100 Chairman said: “The state of U.S.-China relations affects Americans of all backgrounds. We encourage all political candidates to conduct constructive debates on China-related issues during election campaigns and to avoid using racially-based stereotypes. The tragic death of Vincent Chin 30 years ago should remind us to respect all Americans and appreciate that our diverse backgrounds contribute to this country’s greatness.”
The Committee of 100 is a non-partisan leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, and the arts, representing a wide spectrum of political viewpoints. For over 20 years, the Committee has served as a substantive bridge in the U.S.- China dialogue by fostering regular exchanges with the leadership of Beijing, Taipei, and Washington. Members of the Committee of 100 are leading U.S. citizens of Chinese descent who leverage their collective influence, resources and experiences to address important topics shaping U.S.-China relations as well as issues affecting the Chinese American community.
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Ping An, Director of Public Relations
ping_an@committee100.org or 917-670-5871
處理涉華議題的基本準則
(华盛顿—6 月 27 日)–美國華裔組織百人會就如何處理涉及中國的問題為參政候 選人提供以下基本準則。基本準則全文如下:
美國是個獨特的國家。我們各種形式的民主維護每一個來自不同背景的人的理想,保證每個 人都享有平等的選舉權。
美國和其選民面臨的許多重要問題都與中國有關。我們擔心的問題包括工作外包到中國、貿 易平衡、貨幣幣值、環境保護和人權。有關中國政府和中國企業的熱烈討論是正常的,也是 值得歡迎的。美國人民的各種不同意見和觀點對制定最佳政策具有極好的參考價值。
但是,詆毀族裔形象,嘲弄亞洲語言,不分青紅皂白地對亞裔整個群體評頭論足,對亞裔懷 有極端的偏見,這些做法是不能讓人接受的。這些行為立即對華裔乃至亞裔社團帶來負面影 響,讓人民懷疑他們對美國的忠誠。美國約有一千七百萬亞裔美國公民和永久居民,其中華 裔人數最多, 他們的理想和抱負和其他美國人的是一樣的,都希望成功並回報社會。所 以, 我們呼籲所有的參政競選人和競選團隊不要詆毀中國, 因為詆毀中國的結果有百害而 無一利。
我們倒不如在尊重事實的前提下討論重大問題,弘揚我們的優勢。這些富有建設意義的討論 的出發點是為了美國有更好的前景,在這方面華裔可大有作為。
我們建議參加競選地方政府、州政府或聯邦政府的朋友們,要牢記詆毀中國往往導致傷害美國華裔和亞裔這一歷史教訓。華裔不僅包括新移民,還包括被收養的兒童及與異族通婚的華裔,他們祖祖輩輩已有五代人生活在美國。
同其他美國人一樣,美國華裔也受美國對華關係的影響。不幸的是,華裔常被誤認為應該對 外國政府和跨國公司的錯誤負責任。事實上,帶有種族歧視色彩的廣告已經對對華裔造成負 面影響。
百人會相信我們通過共同努力, 我們能求同存異,我們的國家也會變得更好。
百人會會長吳建民說: “中美關係影響所有美國人。作為美國華裔組織,我們鼓勵所有的參 政競選人和競選團隊遇到涉及中國的議題時,應該展開富有建設意義的討論,避免種族偏 見。30 年前發生的陳果仁慘案告誡我們,所有的美國人都應該得到尊重,美國的偉大之處 正她是各種不同背景的人的大熔爐。”
百人會是一個由在商業、政府、學術和藝術界的傑出美籍華人組成的精英領袖組織。會員們 各自有不同的政治觀點。百人會會會員積極參與政治生活,各種各樣的觀點都有。二十年 來,百人會保持與北京、台北和華盛頓領導人定期的交流,成為中美對話的高端橋樑。百人 會會員均為成功的美籍華裔,他們聚集各自的經驗、資源和影響力,致力於推动中美關係, 并关注和解决美國華裔群體的重要問題。www.committee100.org
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聯繫人:百人會公關主任安平
ping_an@committee100.org at 917-670-5871 (m)