A concurrent resolution to state the sense of the Congress regarding the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of the people of Hong Kong remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is elected democratically.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 10, 1997

Declares that: (1) President Jiang Zemin's statements constitute a welcome reaffirmation of the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of its people remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is elected democratically; and (2) China's fulfillment of these obligations under the terms of the Joint Declaration of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law constitute a crucial test of Beijing's ability to play a responsible global role.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE] · R–DE

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 10, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jul 10, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7218-7219)
Jul 10, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jul 10, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Con.Res.38 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.Con.Res.38, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution to state the sense of the Congress regarding the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of the people of Hong Kong remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is elected democratically.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-07-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres38/BILLS-105sconres38is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:03:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Con.Res.38 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.38, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution to state the sense of the Congress regarding the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of the people of Hong Kong remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is elected democratically.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-07-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres38/BILLS-105sconres38is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:03:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.38, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution to state the sense of the Congress regarding the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of the people of Hong Kong remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is elected democratically.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-07-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres38/BILLS-105sconres38is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:03:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.38, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution to state the sense of the Congress regarding the obligations of the People's Republic of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law to ensure that Hong Kong remains autonomous, the human rights of the people of Hong Kong remain protected, and the government of the Hong Kong SAR is elected democratically.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/38

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-07-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres38/BILLS-105sconres38is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:03:01Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.38 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.