The U.S. Senate today considers legislation to grant China permanent, normal trading relations - a measure opposed by the labor movement and many global human rights groups.

S.444 is the companion to H.R. 4444, passed this spring in the U.S. House of Representatives. Opponents say China should not receive PNTR status unless it agrees to basic human rights guarantees for its citizens, such as freedom of religion and the right to organize a union.

Last week, Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) urged colleagues to stand up for the principle of religious freedom and to delay PNTR until China makes substantial improvement in allowing its people the freedom to worship. Wellstone offered an amendment that would require China to free citizens imprisoned for their religious beliefs and to establish an ongoing dialogue with the U.S. on the issue of religious freedom. The Senate rejected the amendment 69-28.

"The Clinton administration is focused on trade, which it is now promoting as its human rights policy,' Wellstone said. 'But trade alone will never guarantee change. We cannot award China with PNTR while she continues to harass and jail people because of their religion and beliefs.'