22 May 1997
MFN FOR CHINA: 'ECONOMIC PRAGMATISM?'
President Clinton's announcement on Monday that he would
recommend to the U.S. Congress that MFN status for China be
renewed prompted a majority of oveseas editors to conclude
that economic "pragmatism" had held sway over human rights
concerns, with most deeming that the decision was a "trend"
that the U.S. could not necessarily "go against." A number
of editors were dismissive of what they viewed as an
"annual ritual" in Washington whose outcome held few
surprises for foreign analysts. Bangkok's Business Day,
for example, maintained: "There is some perfunctory public
debate over the issue (of human rights), but on the whole,
it is 'business as usual.'" Some editors, mainly in
Europe, expressed dismay at what they saw as the West's
increasing reluctance to challenge China on human rights.
Munich's centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung pointed out that,
secure in the knowledge that "markets rule," the Beijing
leadership "can bestow its favor on the one who is the most
submissive and...punish...the most recalcitrant." As if
echoing those conclusions, China's official Communist Party
papers hailed the announcement as a "wise" decision on
President Clinton's part. The English-language China
Daily, whose comments are directed toward a Western
readership, ran official statements cautioning the U.S. to
"change its unreasonable and untimely practice of annually
reviewing China's MFN status as soon as possible." The
paper declared as well that linking MFN to conditions in
Hong Kong after its reversion to China would be "totally
unacceptable." Most Hong Kong papers, regardless of their
orientation, also welcomed the president's announcement,
arguing that denial of MFN to China would deal a severe
"economic blow" to the colony, which reverts to Chinese
sovereignty in just over a month. "Mr. Clinton clearly
recognizes that engagement with China is the only viable
option for the U.S.," said the Hong Kong Standard, "Now he
must persuade Congress that it is time for these two giants
to deal with each other positively, constructively and as
equals."
The recent visit of French President Jacques Chirac to
China also prompted foreign observers to comment on the
strategic and economic balance of power in Asia. Calling
attention to the fact that the French and Chinese
presidents signed a declaration in favor of a multi-polar
world just a month after Presidents Yeltsin and Jiang
signed a similar document, the centrist Times of India
asserted: "One more piece of the post-Cold War strategic
jigsaw puzzle appears to have fallen neatly into place....
China fears that the U.S. is trying to encircle it and is
seeking to give itself strategic depth by building bridges
with Russia, France and even India." Another Indian pundit
suggested that China was "exploiting" France to "poke a
finger in the U.S.' eye," stating that the lucrative Airbus
deal signed by President Chirac in Beijing "was a subtle
message to U.S. businesses that they are not trying hard
enough with their government on human rights." French
papers, however, dubbed their president's China foray as
"sketchy" and "a passing whim." Left-of-center Le Monde
cautioned that China is "both too different (ideologically)
and too distant (economically) for France to consider it a
political partner.... In the Asian context," the paper
warned, "China's regional ambitions should be contained
rather than encouraged."
This survey is based on 52 reports from 18 countries, May
10 - 22.
EDITOR: Kathleen J. Brahney
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
CHINA: "China Welcomes President Clinton's MFN Decision"
Statements by spokesmen at the Foreign Ministry and
Ministry of Trade were carried in Communist Party papers
(5/21): the People's Daily (Renmin Ribao), the People's
Daily overseas editions (Renmin Ribao Hai Wai Ban); the
official English-language China daily, the intellectually-
oriented Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao), the official
Shanghai Liberation Daily (Jiefang Ribao), municipal
government Beijing Daily (Beijing Ribao), the official
State Council Economic Daily (Jingji Ribao)and Communist
Youth League China Youth Daily (Zhongguo Qingnian Bad).
These excerpts are from the People's Daily: "Foreign
Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang said that China welcomed
the decision to extend China's MFN status, and described
Clinton's decision to do so as wise. MFN status is a
normal and reciprocal trade relationship granted by China
and the United States on the basis of equality and is the
cornerstone of Sino-U.S. trade relations. Maintaining MFN
status is consistent with the fundamental interests of the
peoples of both countries.... Shen expressed the hope that
the United States will adopt measures to resolve China's
MFN status permanently and will create an atmosphere for
the smooth development of Sino-U.S. economic and trade
ties."
"Don't Link MFN With Hong Kong"
The China Daily ran this: "China yesterday welcomed U.S.
President Bill Clinton's decision to renew China's Most
Favored Nation (MFN) trading status for the coming year,
while urging the Americans to grant permanent MFN status in
order to promote bilateral economic and trade ties.... A
spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and
Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) also welcomed Clinton's
decision.... In a press release, the spokesman said: 'We
hope the United States will change its unreasonable and
untimely practice (sic) of annually reviewing China's MFN
status as soon as possible.'... The foreign ministry
spokesman said China would not accept any conditions
attached to the renewal of MFN status.... (The spokesman)
dismissed as 'totally unacceptable' the recent suggestions
by some U.S. lawmakers to link the MFN issue with Hong
Kong's return to China."
"Do Americans Know Anything About Hong Kong?"
UN correspondent He Hongze filed this for the Official
Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao, 5/20):
"There is an unbelievable gap in awareness about the Hong
Kong reversion issue between Americans and Hong Kong
residents who were surveyed. For instance, when asked
whether the people of Hong Kong would choose independence
or reversion after 1997 if left to decide for themselves,
60 percent of Americans responded that the people of Hong
Kong would choose independence, while only 4 percent
thought that the people of Hong Kong would choose reversion
to China. However, when the same question was posed in
Hong Kong, 62 percent of the respondents selected reversion
to China. When asked about the future of Hong Kong after
1997, 72 percent of the people of Hong Kong expressed
confidence about post-1997 Hong Kong, while only 5 percent
expressed concern. However, 31 percent of the American
respondents expressed great concern about the future of
Hong Kong....
"There are very few reports on Hong Kong in the U.S. media,
and the majority of what reports there are tend to be
negative in tone. No wonder so many Americans have
unwarranted anxiety about the future of Hong Kong. The
latest Asian and American editions of Newsweek magazine
recently ran completely different covers to accompany their
lead stories on Hong Kong. The Asian edition carried no
cover photo, just a bold headline: 'Hong Kong, the city of
survival.' By contrast, in the American edition, a lady's
eyes were covered by a national flag of China, and the
headline was changed to read: 'Can Hong Kong Survive?'
The different covers were probably selected by Newsweek in
order to target different audiences.
"But this difference illustrates why Americans' knowledge
of Hong Kong differs markedly from that of the people of
Hong Kong."
"Warming Trend Marks Military Cooperation"
The Chinese press quoted Chinese officials who met with
General Shalikashvili in Beijing on the issues of Taiwan
and the Sino-U.S. joint communiques. The official,
English-language China Daily stated (5/14) under the
headline above, "As another sign of warming Sino-U.S.
official relations, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of
Staff John Shalikashvili was warmly received in Beijing
yesterday. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
and Defense Minister Chi Haotian and Chief of Staff General
Fu Quanyou met separately for lengthy talks with
Shalikashvili. They also hosted two banquets in his honor.
"Both military leaders expressed willingness to strengthen
exchanges and dialogue between the two armies.
Shalikashvili is the highest military official to visit
China since 1985. The two sides also discussed further
bilateral contacts and dialogues on berthing of U.S. fleets
in Hong Kong after July 1 and preventing ocean accidents."
HONG KONG: "Clinton's MFN Moves The Right Way--Forward"
The English-language Hong Kong Standard editorialized
(5/21): "Mr. Clinton's announcement had been anticipated
for months. But it is nonetheless welcome for that.
Governor Chris Patten has rightly described it as
'excellent news for Hong Kong.'... But Mr. Clinton is
right to stick with China. This newspaper has pointed out
in the past that the challenge facing the world today is to
ensure that China's emergence as an international player is
achieved in a way where everyone benefits and no one feels
threatened.... Washington must do more to ease China's
entry into the World Trade Organization. Mr. Clinton
clearly recognizes that engagement with China is the only
viable option for United States. Now he must persuade
Congress that it is time for these two giants to deal with
each other positively, constructively and as equals."
"Clinton Shows Great Foresight"
The center-right Sing Tao Daily News commented (5/21):
"Clinton said that the extension of MFN status was 'the
best way to mix China into the international big family and
to safeguard U.S. interests.' This saying shows great
foresight. In this era, the United States should not use
MFN status to threaten China. It should adopt a fair and
cooperative attitude.... China hopes the United States
will grant it permanent MFN status, but it seems impossible
within the next one or two years. Hong Kong in its
transition period will be involved in this dispute. For
its own benefit, Hong Kong should continue its lobbying."
"MFN Protects U.S. Business Interests"
The independent Hong Kong Economic Journal opined (5/21):
"If the United States did not renew China's MFN status, not
only would the human rights situation in China deteriorate,
but Hong Kong would also become a victim by taking a blow
to its economy. The Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region would be caught in a dilemma. U.S. business
interests would also be hampered.... If China and the
United States fall foul of each other due to the MFN issue,
more contracts will be won by (the United States')
business opponents."
"Permanent MFN For China Reasonable Request"
The independent Sing Pao Daily News said (5/21): "The
renewal of China's MFN status every year is still one of
the major contradictions between China and the United
States. China's request for permanent MFN status is
absolutely reasonable.... If the United States stops
granting China MFN status, Hong Kong will suffer a bigger
blow than China. We urge the U.S. congressmen not to do
anything bad to Hong Kong despite their good intentions.
"Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy relies on its own
effort and not on foreign governments' attention."
"The Right Direction"
An editorial in the independent, English-language South
China Morning Post said (5/16): "The modifications
announced yesterday in the changes to civil liberty laws
are to be welcomed.... This is a source of relief: Even
if limited, the modifications are good news. More
importantly, they are a positive sign that Mr. Tung and the
future rulers of the Special Administrative Region are not
immune to public opinion and will take notice of well-
founded arguments with wide support. It may also be a
signal of growing confidence in Beijing that Hong Kong's
democratic traditions are not a threat."
"Do Not Look For Order At The Expense Of Freedom"
The independent Ming Pao Daily News held (5/16): "The
chief executive's office has made eleven modifications to
the public order and societies ordinances after
consultation. The office has deleted some of the
suggestions that many people questioned as violating civic
rights. It shows that consultation does give play to the
ordinances. However...some areas still need to be
improved... When safeguarding the interests of 'one
country', please do not sacrifice the freedom and life
style of people under the 'two systems.'"
"More Leniency In Applications For Demonstrations Needed"
Center-right Sing Tao Daily News said this (5/16): "The
chief executive's office just announced the public order
and societies ordinances after modifications.... However,
there are still some areas that can be improved.... If the
future government is more lenient in dealing with
applications for demonstrations, the amendments will be
widely accepted."
"Public Opinion"
The pro-PRC Hong Kong Commercial Daily contended (5/16):
"The chief executive's office has accepted the constructive
opinions of society. The Hong Kong government carried out
various consultations before, but none of them have fully
accepted public opinion in their consultations like this
one."
INDONESIA: "China's Successful Strategy In The West"
Pro-government, Islamic-leaning Berita Buana conveyed this
logic (5/17): "If China is `sweet' toward the United
States and Europe, Beijing should behave even nicer to
ASEAN countries with their population of 420 million and
crucial markets. China is currently in the international
spotlight. Some observers want to see what will happen to
Hong Kong...and are intrigued by the 'one China-two
systems' paradigm. While such a system would not work in
Europe, anything is possible in China. Communism is used
to achieve unity in the bureaucracy and as a tool of the
leadership, whereas capitalism is used for the people's
welfare."
PHILIPPINES: "Spratlys--A Worry For ASEAN, U.S., Japan"
The independent, second leading national Philippine Daily
Inquirer told its readers (5/19): "While the United States
refuses to bring the Spratlys within the coverage of the
mutual defense treaty on the grounds that they are not part
of the Philippine mainland, the United States, Japan and
ASEAN cannot be indifferent to any escalation of the
dispute between the Philippines and China.... Any
hostilities between these two countries will immediately
create a specter of insecurity over the ASEAN members...and
over the pivotal role of the United States inmaintaining
the balance of power in the Asia-Pacfic."
"Philippine Firmness Needed"
In its second editorial, the Philippine Daily Inquirer
stated (5/19): "The strategic position of the Philippines
in the South China Sea and Pacific--both in political,
economic and security terms--should be considered in the
calculations of ASEAN, the United States, Japan and China
as they interact over the Chinese tactic of testing how far
they can go in substantiating their historic sovereignty
claims over the South China Sea. As for the defense treaty
with the United States, we should not think of its revision
as the only way to defend our territory. The dynamic of
events that may be created by armed conflict over disputed
territories creates its own logic for U.S. intervention.
The upsetting of the balance of power can prompt U.S.
military intervention, regardless of whether or not there
is a treaty calling for immediate retaliation. America has
a big economic and security stake in maintaining the
balance of power in the region. Japan and ASEAN have big
stakes in a credible and significant U.S. military presence
in the region. China's need to develop friendly relations
with the United States and Japan to have access to capital
and investment are factors that can restrain it from
pushing its historic claims to the point of armed conflict.
But the bottom line for the Philippines is to make it clear
at all times to China that it is not going to be bullied by
(China's) probing thrusts."
"Appeasement: Mice Playing With The Cat?"
An editorial in the liberal Today said this about
developments in the contested Spratly Islands (5/14):
"We've seen what Chinese promises are worth and what
illusory fruits diplomacy by minus-one bears. And for all
our nervousness over the Spratlys, it is well to remember
that the rest of Asia is also fretting over the military
posturings of the People's Republic of China....
"There is a variation on Santayana's famous saying that
those who learn the lessons of history are condemned to
commit the same blunders with effects twice as bad. No
one--at least no one in the modern age who holds an
important government position--can claim he doesn't know
what happened the last time powers major and minor tried to
mollify an aggressive nation with expansionist tendencies:
The result was the outbreak of the Second World War and
Hitlerism run amok in Europe.... A mouse can try to
challenge a cat, but all it will accomplish is to amuse the
cat at the mouse's expense. But pit a hundred mice against
the cat and...well, the cat just might get nipped enough to
flee.... All our diplomacy as far as China is concerned
has proven that we're...helpless and easy prey."
"Use Diplomacy, Not Force, To Deal With China"
In his column in the independent Manila Standard (5/10),
Jerry Barican commented on the Philippines' territorial
dispute with China over the Spratly Islands: "There is no
way we can militarily defeat a determined China even if we
spend our entire government budget, which is a paltry $20
billion, on national defense.... Under...economic and
military difficulties, risks and costs, the true deterrence
of China lies more with diplomacy than military
adventurism.... In that context, we are not helpless. We
belong to ASEAN, to which China assigns importance. We
can and have appealed to the United States, less by way of
military protection than by means of the whole diplomatic
arsenal available to it, not excluding trade, to restrain
China."
SOUTH KOREA: "Clinton Embraces China"
In the view of conservative Segye Ilbo (5/21): "President
Clinton is confident that Congress will pass an extension
of Most Favored Nation status for China. Even if Congress
objects to an MFN extension, the president knows he will
get it through with his veto prerogative. His real concern
is to put an early end to the issue before a prolonged,
heated debate about China hurts him politically. Also, the
president made his decision early in order not to give
conservative organizations time to form a strong coalition
against an extension of MFN. The return of Hong Kong to
China is a further complication for the president.
Extending MFN, however, may well be a trend that the United
States cannot go against."
"China And France: Strong New Partnership To Balance U.S."
Anti-establishment Hankyoreh Shinmun held (5/17): "China
and France have strengthened their new partnership for the
21st century. Aimed at balancing the United States, it
will be a 'comprehensive partnership' weighty enough to
demand a new kind of international order.... By seeking
close relations with Russia and France, China is preparing
a card that will put it on higher ground in dealing with
the United States. Although France was the first country
to sanction China after the Tiananmen incident, it has
lately adopted a practical line which puts the economy
first. It gave tacit approval to China's handling of human
rights by saying that particular circumstances should be
taken into account."
THAILAND: "A Carrot And A Stick For A 'Most Favored
Nation'"
The lead editorial of the small circulation, English-
language Business Day commented (5/22): "Renewing China's
Most Favored Nation status has become an annual ritual in
Washington. There is some perfunctory public debate over
the issue, but on the whole it is 'business as usual,'
mainly because China provides the United States with the
best source of low-priced consumer goods. This alone gives
enough justification for the tariff breaks. There was, as
always, the usual rhetoric about the need to 'engage' China
in order to encourage political and social changes,
particularly on the issues of democracy and human rights.
Aside from business issues, however, the relationship
between China and the United States is also based on
military considerations, for the United States can plainly
see that China will in due course begin to flex its
military muscle in the Asia-Pacific region."
"Jiang's Appearance On CNN: Major Shift In China Policy?"
Cafe Dam commented in elite, business-oriented Krungthep
Turakit (5/14): "The CNN interview with Chinese President
Jiang Zemin is unprecedented and indicates a major shift in
China's policy.... Today's China can no longer disregard
the outside world as it becomes increasingly dependent on
international trade.... The main objective for Jiang's
granting an interview was evidently to placate the world's
concern about the future of Hong Kong.... On the other
hand, China realized that it has to rely on Hong Kong in
many important ways. Also, China meant to prove that Hong
Kong under its rule will be no less prosperous than when
the colony was under Britain's control."
EUROPE
FRANCE: "France's Sketchy Presence In Asia"
Francis Deron, Jean-Claude Pomonti and Philippe Pons wrote
in left-of-center Le Monde (5/15): "This is the third
time in a year that President Chirac has traveled to
Asia.... (In the past,) the Franco-Chinese 'political
dialogue' has helped the two nations to gain some
recognition when the world scene was monopolized by
Washington and Moscow.... The Chinese, Japanese and
Southeast Asian leaders do not have the same hostile and
ambivalent feelings towards France that they have toward
the United States, which is a source of either admiration
or mistrust.... In many ways, Asian nations see France's
renewed interest in their region as a passing whim.
Focusing on the idea of a 'multipolar' world--in other
words, in reaction to the United States--France is
flattering Asia.... This is in no way the expression of a
French Asian policy, which is still very much missing."
"Asian Mirages"
Jacques Amalric remarked in left-of-center Liberation
(5/15): "No one can confirm that post-Deng China will be,
in the year 2015 or 2020, the peaceful and responsible
superpower that many want to imagine.
"The multipolarity preached in Beijing today could be a
step towards a new bipolar world in which China will play a
major role."
"Selling China On Human Rights"
Catholic La Croix's Bruno Frappat had this to say (5/15):
"Time will tell whether Chirac's wager has been won and
whether he will have managed to sell China on human rights,
a commodity it refuses to import."
"Why Chirac Is Going: Chinese Buying Power"
Charles Lambroschini wrote in right-of-center Le Figaro
(5/14): "With the globalization of the world economy,
President Chirac's message to the voters is clear: They
must look to distant horizons.... Anglo-Saxon experts
predict that, in the next 20 years, the Chinese market's
buying power will equal that of the United States.... This
explains President Chirac's interest in Asia."
"A Problematic Trip To China"
According to Jean-Luc Domenach in left-of-center Le Monde
(5/14): "There is a basic error in thinking that a
political approach to China is the answer.... In a
worldwide perspective, it is difficult to see over what
fundamental principles democratic France and Communist
China could agree. In the Asian context, China's regional
ambitions should be contained rather than encouraged.
Finally, in a bilateral context, it has been repeatedly
proven that a political approach to China has never
improved either our exports or our cultural and linguistic
influence in that country.... China is both too different
(ideologically) and too distant (economically) for France
to be able to consider it a political partner."
BRITAIN: "Clinton Gives Boost To China Policy"
The centrist Independent reported from Washington (5/20):
"President Clinton yesterday launched a pre-emptive strike
in defense of his controversial China policy by announcing
that he would renew China's MFN trading status for another
year.... Yesterday's early announcement guarantees a
furious debate in Congress, where China's MFN status was
already expected to be given a rougher ride than in recent
years."
GERMANY: "Same Debate, Same Result"
Kurt Kister wrote in centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of
Munich (5/21): "Every year, the China debate in Washington
heats up. The pattern is as follows: After intense
frowning, the president--irrespective of whether he is
called Reagan, Bush, or Clinton--grants MFN status to
China. Then human rights activists and members of
the...political opposition provoke a storm of protests.
They argue that the Chinese government violates human
rights and is rewarded with the MFN status. Congress then
has a vote, and the separation between human rights and
economic interests again find a majority. The same will be
true this year, despite some differences.... Trade between
China and the United States has grown year after year.
The United States, France, Germany and other countries are
competing for orders. The Beijing leadership can bestow
its favor on the one who is the most submissive and, at the
same time, punish those who are the most recalcitrant.
China knows that the markets rule. In this context, noble
resolutions in favor of Tibet or political prisoners are a
ritual that can be neglected."
"Global Pragmatism"
Herbert Kremp observed in right-of-center Die Welt of
Berlin (5/21): "President Clinton has now extended MFN
status for China. We can now talk of the globalization of
pragmatism."
ITALY: "Clinton Wants To Renew MFN To China"
A report by New York correspondent Marco Valsania in
leading business Il Sole-24 Ore (5/21) said: "Bill Clinton
has asked Congress for a renewal of MFN status to China....
But the White House, which is playing one of its key games
in foreign policy, is facing a stronger opposition this
time, including both conservative and left-wing sectors of
the Democratic Party. Christian coalition groups and AFL-
CIO labor unions are against the decision.... The tension
has already forced the Clinton administration to a partial
retreat, i.e., giving up its initial goal of obtaining
permanent renewal of the Most Favored Nation status for
China."
"Clinton's And Chirac's Business With China"
An editorial in provocative, classical liberal Il Foglio
(5/21) noted: "It is not clear yet whether France, in the
framework of its new collaboration with China, will also
break the embargo on weapons, one of the few sanctions
against Beijing which still remain in effect since
Tiananmen. President Chirac limited himself to saying that
he will not sell weapons to Taiwan. Clinton...said he
(would) establish a strategic dialogue with the Chinese on
a wide range of issues.... Defeated in Central Africa by
U.S. diplomacy...France is taking its revenge in the Far
East. Trade expansion will benefit from that. Less so
human rights."
RUSSIA: "Clinton Does Much To Improve Ties With China"
Iya Motskobili said in reformist, business-oriented
Kommersant Daily (5/21): "In the last couple of years
Clinton has done a lot to improve relations with China.
But constant violations of human rights in that country,
along with its arms supplies to unstable political regimes
and conflict areas, remain a stumbling block in the
bilateral relationship."
"Different Opinions On Human Rights"
Reformist Segodnya (5/19) cited Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister Grigory Karasin as saying: "The discussion (of
Hong Kong's future) with our partners in China, the United
States and other countries revealed different opinions,
including on human rights. And he added that Russian
diplomats thought it important to follow Beijing's very
serious approach to everything concerning Hong Kong's new
status."
"U.S. Is Last Hope"
Alexander Chudodeyev said in reformist Segodnya (5/14):
"Hope dies last, so local (Hong Kong) democrats are not
hiding the fact that they count on Washington. Beijing
naturally views the transfer of Hong Kong as an 'internal
matter' and wants the rest of the world out. So it looks
as if the United States and China have discovered another
big outstanding problem."
BELGIUM: "Clinton Listens To Advice From U.S. Business"
Asian affairs writer Freddy De Pauw held in independent
Catholic De Standaard (5/21): "U.S. President Bill Clinton
has extended China's MFN status by one year.... The chance
that the Congress will cast a two-thirds majority veto is
very limited. But, opponents are counting on more votes
than last year in order to, thus, obtain a small moral
victory over Beijing.... As president, Clinton did not
give a clear direction to Washington's China policy. As a
presidential candidate, he pleaded for a harsher approach
but, as president, he gradually had more of an ear for the
advice from business people with interests in China. The
decision to extend China's MFN status was certainly
stimulated when, during the visit of Vice President Al Gore
to Beijing, a few interesting contracts between American
and Chinese enterprises were concluded."
CANADA: "Hypocrisy"
According to the conservative Ottawa Sun (5/21) "The
hypocrisy of U.S. President Bill Clinton's administration
reared its ugly two heads Monday with renewed plans to
extend MFN trade status to Red China. We use the
adjective 'Red' purposely here because China is what it is-
-a repressive communist regime with an absolutely appalling
human rights record.... While we do not deny the United
States' right to trade with any country it wishes, it
still yanks our chain when Americans throw up barriers to
impede Canada's right to trade with whatever country it
desires.... This does bring us around to the Helms-Burton
law.... In defense of his decision...Clinton said the
United States had an interest in China's political and
economic reform and would have little sway over the country
if it were to curtail its trade status. This is the same
argument, of course, which Canada presented in it dealings
with Cuba.... Unfortunately, the Clinton administration
listens to no one but itself when it comes to foreign
relations. All of which only punctuates its hypocrisy."
MIDDLE EAST-NORTH AFRICA
EGYPT: "American Producers And Consumers"
Pro-government daily Al Ahram held (5/22): "It was
unprecedented that the U.S. administration renewed China's
Most Favored Nation status without a problem.... The
American administration used to pressure China on human
rights...or for violations of American IPR.... The weapon
the administration used was threatening not to renew the
MFN status.... The renewal this time came because of the
harm that American producers and consumers could have
suffered if China were sanctioned."
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA: "Chirac In China"
The centrist Times Of India opined (5/22), "With the recent
visit to Beijing by French President Jacques Chirac, one
more piece of the post-Cold War strategic jigsaw puzzle
appears to have fallen neatly into place. With the
exception of Britain, all other permanent members of the
Security Council have now formally and jointly expressed
their reservations about the preponderance of U.S. power.
Last month, the presidents of China and Russia signed a
declaration on the desirability of a multipolar world. And
last week, the French joined the Chinese in saying pretty
much the same thing. For some time now, France has been
telling anyone willing to listen that a unipolar world will
inevitably be a dangerous place....
"As far as China is concerned, President Chirac has gone a
long way toward ending the rancor which existed on the
bilateral front after France's 1994 weapons sale to
Taiwan.... For their part, the Chinese have rewarded
France with a $1.5 billion contract for Airbus
Industries.... China fears that the United States is
trying to encircle it and is seeking to give itself
strategic depth by building bridges with Russia, France and
even India. Washington denies it is trying to contain
China.... By declaring themselves in favor of a multipolar
world, China and France are saying that they want a United
States that is similarly benign. Unfortunately, whether in
trade or security matters, the Clinton administration
insists that the United States is an indispensable nation."
"Clinton Renews MFN Status For China"
The centrist Hindu's Washington correspondent, Sridhar
Krishnaswami, wrote (5/21): "President Bill Clinton, has
announced his decision to renew the Most Favored Nation
Status to China for another year.... One of the more
compelling reasons for the extension...is the whole concept
of economics and everything that goes in this category....
One of the crucial things that cannot be ignored is the
mega market opportunities of China and in what the American
businesses would have to lose if Beijing retaliated against
the revocation of the MFN by the United States. Though the
administration here formally delinked trade and human
rights, China in its own way has been making that
linkage.... (President Clinton's) decision undoubtedly
sets in motion another major foreign policy debate in this
country and one in which the president will have his way in
the end.... Clinton will also be finding that more
Republicans and Democrats may be voting against the MFN
extension than in the past."
"China Exploits France To Get At U.S."
Tokyo correspondent F.J. Khergamvala presented this view in
the centrist Hindu (5/20): "Who in Europe is better to be
exploited to poke a finger in the United States' eye than
the French? The Chinese have done exactly that and, in a
foreign policy success, for the first time got a Western
nation to agree on paper to recognize Beijing's own
definition of human rights.... In an obviously well-timed
and well-planned trade-off, this concession by Chirac was
one of two that apparently lubricated the $1.8 billion in
contracts granted to French companies.... The size of the
Airbus order is a subtle message to the Clinton
administration and an even more open message to U.S.
business that they are not trying hard enough with their
government on human rights....
"Not too worrisome to the Americans would be the language
used in the joint declaration on the United States'
overbearing attitude.... It is clear where the finger is
being pointed, although the term used is milder than the
Sino-Russian document of last month, which used
'hegemons.'... So far as the reality is concerned, a
Sino-French partnership does not do much by itself by way
of a counterweight to the U.S. position on the world
stage.... The United States is unlikely to lose much sleep
over it, not only because there is nothing much in a Sino-
French partnership to worry it, but also because France is
following the China policy initiated by the United States."
"Clinton May Favor MFN For China"
The centrist Hindu's Washington correspondent Sridhar
Krishnaswami expressed this view (5/17): "There is no
doubt that Clinton will be giving his positive
recommendation on the subject (of MFN to China).... But
the White House is also faced with another dilemma...with
the slow erosion in the numbers of the Republicans who have
backed the granting of MFN to China. The second
disadvantage for the White House is its timing: On July 1
Hong Kong reverts back to China after 150 years....
"The Clinton administration's China policy is not about to
undergo any major changes in the sense that Washington is
not going to look beyond the mega-market opportunities
framework.... Even if the second Clinton administration
could have made a 'breakthrough' in its China policy by
injecting a strategic dimension, that opportunity seems to
have been lost because of the domestic realities. The
White House has been saddled with the additional burden of
the campaign finance scandal, in which allegations have
been made of China trying to influence the American
electoral process. The impact of the campaign finance
irregularities of the Democratic Party has dealt a
debilitating blow to the conduct of foreign policy per se."
PAKISTAN: "Sino-Russian Opposition To U.S. Hegemony"
The Peshawar-based, independent Frontier Post ran this op-
ed piece by Muhammed Ali Talpur (5/18): "The Russia of
today still has the capability of destroying the United
States and the world many times over. All the elements of
the Cold War era minus the ideological factor...(are still)
in place. The recent agreement signed by Russia and China
has once again shown that remnants of communism are still
breathing and may pose a threat to the hegemony of the
United States....
"The United States is ready to give India a 'stabilizing'
role in the region at large.... By focusing on the issues
on which Indian and U.S. interests might converge, India
has sought to depict itself as a state whose friendship
would advance larger U.S. strategic interests along the
wider Southern Asian rim. Given this set of new
circumstances, the objective here is to remind India and
Pakistan that their permanent security interests consist
not of regional hegemony but simply of ensuring survival
and autonomy."
NEPAL: "An ASEAN-10 Could Stand Up To China"
The government-owned Sunday Despatch observed (5/19):
"When ASEAN expands its membership to ten, it will create a
group of 500 million people with a fast-growing internal
market. The new countries are the source of cheap labor as
well as abundant raw materials like timber, coal and
hydropower. Politically, a united ASEAN has great
advantage over an assertive China in the region. The
region is worried because of China's territorial disputes
with five other countries over the Spratly Islands...
ASEAN's commitment to include three new members...is a
great achievement of the association working for the peace,
prosperity and mutual understanding among the countries of
the region."
AFRICA
NIGERIA: "What Benefits In New Friendship With China?"
The Lagos-based independent Post Express ran this editorial
(5/21): "China is open to Western investment. We are
behaving as if we do not need that investment. Whatever
benefits we stand to reap from our relations with China can
only be the result of their own openness to Western
investment, technology and ideas. Thus, we are about to
receive second-hand goods and services. Moreover, there is
very little in the cultural outlook of the Chinese that
can appeal to our people. Nor do we have the discipline
that they got from communism to benefit from their
experience. Even if they were so disposed, our present
leadership (and the past ones) does not have the
ideological tutelage that placed China in a position to
convert Western investment to prosperity. Most
importantly, it may be excusable to buy Chinese locomotives
and sell them oil in return. But one thing we must not
learn from them is the culture of political repression and
cruelty to its citizens."
##
For more information, please contact:
U.S. Information Agency
Office of Public Liaison
Telephone: (202) 619-4355
5/22/97
# # #
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