While analysts are debating the impact on US-China relations of US President George W. Bush's recent fruitless trip to China ("US, China take a step sideways," Nov. 22, page 4), it is clear that the comprehensive engagement policy, billed as the best means for bringing about greater freedoms in China, has failed to produce the desired results.
Three years after Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) took power, China's rights conditions have worsened.
It has now dispensed altogether with symbolic releases of political dissidents timed to coincide with US dignitaries' visits.
For a US president championing a staunch freedom-expansion policy, Hu's China emerges as a determined counter-model.
Through engagement, the US gave China what it wanted to achieve its status as a major power (e.g. access to US markets and technology), but the US failed to convert China's dependence into effective leverage for changing China's behavior.
Since Hu clamors for the pomp of a South Lawn reception, the US should say that it is not interested in receiving a meaningless ceremonial visit next February unless US requests are adhered to. That will get China's attention.
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
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Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.