Topping the list of what Clinton should not do is speak of China as a strategic partner. US interests and values remain significantly different from those espoused by Beijing and the term strategic partner is easily misunderstood to be synonymous with ally. Therefore talk of strategic partnership is misleading and potentially dangerous.
He should not perpetuate the false debate over engagement vs. containment. Instead of defending his policy on its merits, Clinton consistently appeals to a straw man argument against containing or isolating China. Few if any of his critics advocate such a policy. The debate is over the terms of US engagement with China, not whether China can or should be contained or ignored.
He should not treat normal trade relations as a panacea for China's ills. Clinton frequently extols the virtues of trading with China and has professed his belief that this will inevitably lead to greater freedom and democracy in China. Normal trade is an important element of US policy towards China, but on its own will not sufficiently address security and political concerns. Democracy is not inevitable, it must be built.
Clinton should not blame Taiwan for instability in the Taiwan Strait. During Clinton's tenure as president, tension in the Strait has increased significantly. The administration frequently attempts to place respon-sibility for such tension on the shoulders of Taiwan's democratically elected president. He should set the record strait by correctly identifying Beijing's provocative military posture as the primary destabilizing force in the Strait.
Much work remains to be done for Bill Clinton to build his legacy on China policy. China must conclude its remaining bilateral trade negotiations, the WTO must draft China's accession protocol and the US Congress will need to amend the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of the 1974 Trade Act to make China's normal trade status permanent.
For Clinton, this year's work begins with his State of the Union address. If he is able to use any of the above advice, perhaps Clinton can improve his chances to push this last major China initiative through to the end.
Stephen J. Yates is senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation Asian Studies Center in Washington, DC.
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