One Billion Served?

"He found the Chinese tough, idealistic, fanatical, single-minded, remarkable and uncomfortably aware of the philosophical contradictions involved in their arranging a visit by their capitalist archenemy." Is this an exasperated Warren Christopher Justifying his recent, failed, diplomatic mission to China? No, these were Henry Kissinger's findings over 20 years ago while laying the groundwork for president Nixon's historic visit.

Things have changed in the intervening years. China has embarked on what has been widely preceived as a successful economic liberalization program. Last year, its exports to the United States totalled $31.5 billion.

Thus the Clinton Administration's decision to make the annual renewal of trade benefits contingent upon significant improvements in human rights is one which is by turns quixotic and misguided.

This strategy will have several unintended consequences, the most serious of which would be the erosion of a painstakingly crafted relationship, designed to produce a number of cultural and economic benefits.

The Chinese have farmed the issue of human rights as one of sovereignty. This raises an important question: is the United States trying to impose its cultural norms on another country?

This is particularly relevant, especially since the Chinese are themselves in the process of sorting out definition of what constitutes human rights.

Has the United States, in spite of the universalization of a human rights culture, erected a grid which in inapplicable across other cultures? Not all forms of democracy are successfully exportable.

The failure of the international community to vigorously enforce human rights standards, treaties and conventions notwithstanding, means that individual nations have much latitude in determining what abuses are condemned.

Earlier this month, the United Nations refused, again, to censure China for its human rights record since the government crackdown in 1989's pro-democracy student protests.

The Chinese leadership after Tiananmen Square made it abundantly clear that meddling by foreigners in internal affairs would not be tolerated. China is determined to handle its internal problems in ways it deems to be appropriate.

A parallel with Mexico could prove useful. Mexico, which is not notably democratic, has instituted significant reform with regard to human rights. This stemmed directly from its desire to gain entry to the lucrative North American market.

Similarly, economic liberalization and the development of a thriving middle class in China, will perhaps be the most significant means of achieving the desired outcome of "overall" significant progress" in human rights.

Although I rarely quote former president Nixon, he was right when he commented upon meeting with then premier, Chou En Lai, that "when our hands met, one era ended and another began."

Let's not jeopardize our relationship with China with a counterproductive strategy of linking trade with human rights issues. The Clinton Administration risks undoing the work of the past twenty years. Chinese dissidents and advocates of democracy would in the long run be better served if these discrete issues were uncoupled.