Durbin Travels to China
Senior Senate Delegation to Investigate Global Economy, Energy and Human Rights
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) has arrived in Hong Kong as part of a week-long, senior Senate Delegation visiting China. Durbin, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat, is part of a ten-member, bipartisan trip lead by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Other members of the Delegation include Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
In addition to Hong Kong, the Delegation plans to meet with government officials in Chengdu, Beijing and Xi’an. They plan to conduct site visits of American investments and clean energy projects and to discuss issues including the global economy, security, trade, currency and foreign policy.
Durbin, Chairman of Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, also plans to raise human rights issues during this week’s visits. Durbin has been critical of Chinese internet censorship and the detention of human rights activists.
Finally, Durbin plans to meet with Illinois companies who do business in China. Last year, China was the third-largest recipient of Illinois exports, totaling over $3 billion.
Senator Durbin is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He will return to Illinois on Tuesday, April 26th.