Smith seeks to block U.S. entry of Chinese officials

“This bill sends a message to Chinese leaders who oppress their own people: The United States will not turn a blind eye to these basic human rights abuses,” he added.

Under the bill, H.R. 2121, the president would have the authority to block Chinese officials or their immediate family members from entering the U.S. if they are, among other things, involved in violent repression against ethnic minorities in China, trafficking in North Korean refugees, or the forced return these refugees to Korea. It would also allow the president to deny entry to officials who participate in the imposition of China’s one-child policy, which the bill calls China’s “coercive birth limitation policy.

Other sponsors of the bill are Reps. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), Dan Burton (R-Ind.), and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.).