Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC

CHINA: "Wen Ho Lee 'Case Of Leaks:' Farce In U.S. Political Arena"

Ma Xiaoyi judged in intellectually oriented Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao, 3/24): "Wen Ho Lee's situation is a good reflection of the ingrained racial discrimination and prejudice that mainstream American society has against the Chinese. After the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, some Americans began to desperately tout their 'China threat' theory. As the Chinese economy becomes increasingly stronger, their theory mirrors the strategy of 'isolating the strong while uniting the weak' that the United States adopted in dealing with China."

"U.S. Lacks Evidence In Wen Ho Lee Case"

Ma Xiaoyi asserted in intellectually oriented Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao, 3/23): "Though the U.S. government lacks evidence to charge Wen Ho Lee with leaking sensitive military technology to China, the U.S. Department of Energy, forced by political pressure, made him the initial target in order to cool down the matter. According to the American CNN TV station, Wen Ho Lee might be a victim and a scapegoat of U.S. political struggles."

"Facts Speak Louder Than Words"

Official Beijing Municipal Beijing Daily (Beijing Ribao) ran this Xinhua News Agency item (3/22): "Chinese scientists pointed out that the U.S. accusations that China has stolen American military hi-tech are baseless and irresponsible.... Some Americans have shown their arrogance and ignorance in accusing China, who has been engaged in normal academic communication with the United States, of espionage. There are still some Americans who stubbornly stick to Cold War thinking and advocate McCarthyism in a desperate attempt to defame China and sabotage Sino-U.S. relations. It is believed that the current anti-China epidemic nurtured by some Americans goes against the common aspiration and fundamental interests of both countries, and is doomed to failure." (Note: This article reappeared in official Beijing Daily (Beijing Ribao), People's Daily and People's Daily Overseas Edition 3/23.)

"Why Do Some People Always Find Fault With China?"

Zhang Xinghui contended in official Chinese Youth Party China Youth Daily (Zhongguo Qingnianbao, 3/18): "The so-called 'China nuclear high-tech theft' charges, advocated by some American media and some ill-intentioned congressmen, have been overshadowing Sino-U.S. relations recently. According to one analysis, American inter-party struggles and Cold War ideology are the two explanations for the ongoing anti-China upsurge. In order to reverse their unfavorable situation and prepare for the 2000 general elections, the Republicans will inevitably oppose the Clinton administration, which has been pursuing an engagement policy with China. We can see that such anti-China upsurges have recurred regularly since 1989.... Unable to break away from Cold War ideology...the United States dictates its own values to the world so as to realize its global strategy of dominating the world."

"American Media Refute So-Called 'Nuclear Theft Charges'"

Liu Jiang pointed out in official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao, 3/18): "The Los Angeles Times described the accusations against China as an absurd exaggeration, saying the so-called 'China espionage' charges are unreasonable, as they are actually based on the heavily trumpeted 'China threat theory.'... Other media issuing such articles include the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal."

"Anti-China Noise Goes Against Current Trends"

Ma Shijun and Zhang Yong noted in official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao 3/16): "The accusations against China reported by some American media and some congressmen...is a stark fabrication out of nothing. It should be pointed out that remarks and practices by some Americans are contradictory. On the one hand, China was asked to further open up and enhance technological cooperation between the two countries. Yet when China engaged in normal technological communication, these Americans accuse China of espionage. The current anti-China upsurge is also a reflection of American bipartisan struggles. Republicans are attempting to punish the Clinton administration for the Republican Party failure in the sex scandal.... Therefore, the bipartisan struggles extend from domestic politics to foreign policies. In short, the 'China threat' accusation is aimed at containing China's development, and maintaining American hegemony in the world."

"Zhu: U.S. Trip To Resume Good Trend Of Relations"

Xu Yang remarked in official, English-language China Daily (3/16): "Premier Zhu Rongji's trip to the United States is designed to present a true picture about China and resume the positive momentum of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Despite recent disputes over espionage allegations, human rights and the Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system Zhu said he will go to the United States in April 'to give them a chance to vent their anger or complaints.'"

"Taiwan's Inclusion In TMD Opposed"

Ma Chenguang pointed out in official, English-language China Daily (3/10): "'China opposes any attempt to include Taiwan in the Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system which the United States and Japan are proposing,' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao. 'The United States should abide by the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and other joint statements to properly handle the Taiwan issue...so bilateral ties will develop in a healthy, stable way,' he said. 'China is willing to make concerted efforts with the United States and remove obstacles to lead healthy and stable Sino-U.S. ties into the 21st century,' Zhu said."

HONG KONG: "Making Friends With Spies Like Us"

Robert Keatley remarked in the independent South China Morning Post (3/20): "All concerned need to keep a sense of proportion. Espionage is not a friendly act, but it happens on all sides. The goal should be to contain it without endangering broader interests. U.S.-Sino relations are going through a bad enough time, with adverse implications for the entire region. Leaders in both countries might well think a little more and talk a little less, then try harder to strengthen the truly important ties between them. They shouldn't make things worse."

"Seeing Red Is In Fashion For Spring"

Charles Snyder said in the independent Hong Kong Standard (3/19): "What is most amazing is Beijing's vocal and repeated denials that China has spied on America. Even the most pro-China politician in this town does not believe those denials.... The best that can be said about the current brouhaha is that it will eventually pass. In the meantime, it's going to be a long and hot spring."

"A State Visit, Not A Trial For Espionage"

The centrist Oriental Daily News' editorial remarked (3/17): "The Chinese premier is going to visit the United States as a state guest.... He is not coming to stand trial for the espionage case.

"The U.S. government and the Congress should show diplomatic manners and the wisdom of a great power."

"Can Zhu Rongji Help U.S. 'Cool Down'?"

Independent Apple Daily News commented (3/16): "Mr. Zhu Rongji said that his U.S. visit would not lead him into a minefield. Yet, he knows that the United States is angry. His U.S. visit is to help 'them (the United States) to cool down'. This is not an easy task. If he fails to cool them down and check the anti-China tide in its embryonic stage, Sino-U.S. relations may suffer setbacks."

"Spies, Scientists And Hot Technology"

Simon Beck argued in the independent South China Morning Post (3/12): "The fallout from the spy scare threatens to push the Beijing-relationship problem over the edge into a fully-fledged election issue next year. The accusations that Beijing stole nuclear secrets will not only send an already China-wary Congress into apoplexy; they could hand the Republican Party an election stick with which to beat the Democrats.... The row will cast a long shadow over Premier Zhu Rongji's Washington visit, complicate U.S. efforts to get China admitted to the World Trade Organization, and force the Pentagon to scale down plans for an extensive program of military exchanges with the People's Liberation Army."

"Peace Comes Second To Submission"

Rodney Chan observed in the independent Hong Kong Standard (3/10): "Taiwan is faced with a dilemma: The TMD plan may only worsen the arms race and heighten tensions across the straits; but the island has to find ways to defend itself from mainland missiles--and its military power in general--or Taiwan may lose its bargaining chips. Beijing should help Taipei out of the dilemma by reducing its military offensive. But it seems that Beijing wants submission from Taiwan more than peace."

TAIWAN: "New Thoughts On Cross-Strait Relations After Perry Visit"

Kao Ying-mao, Brown University professor and director of the security project for East Asia opined in the centrist, pro-status quo China Times (3/8): "With regard to William Perry's second visit to Taipei, people should focus their attention on the following two points: First, whether Taiwan should create bilateral or trilateral channels including the United States, such as Track-II for cross-strait talks, when official cross-strait channels come to a deadlock? Second, should [we] change [our] goals to focus our efforts on security and peace in the Taiwan Strait if the zero-sum game of 'reunification vs. independence' is virtually meaningless?"

"The U.S.' Ambiguous Policy"

Sun Yang-Ming, senior reporter for the conservative, pro-unification United Daily News, stressed (3/8): "It is worth noting that if the U.S. administration's Taiwan policy remains intentionally 'ambiguous,' associated measures will be adopted to protect Taiwan security. [We can] gather that the United States will make 'greater efforts' in promoting cross-strait talks."

"Track-II Will Promote Understanding"

An editorial in the liberal, pro-independence Taiwan Daily declared (3/8): "'Track-II' will certainly function to promote cross-strait understanding and information exchange."

"Taiwan Should Stick To Independence Stance, Watch For Changes"

The liberal, pro-independence Commons Daily contended (3/8): "U.S.-China conflicts over military issues will increase because of cross-strait relations and Beijing's theft of U.S. missile secrets. Under pressure from the U.S. Congress, the plan for exchanges of U.S. and Chinese military information will certainly be [negatively] affected. What we can do today is to stick to our position of sovereignty, strengthen our military power and heighten popular support and morale in order to quietly watch for any changes. Moreover, [we] should not erroneously expect any changes in U.S.-China relations."

AUSTRALIA: "Sino-Spy?"

The liberal Sydney Morning Herald asked (3/11): "If China is found not to have engaged in spying, are the accusations honest mistakes or part of a concerted attempt to sour Sino-U.S. relations? There are conservatives in the Congress who would like to see a tough China policy become the ideological litmus test on foreign policy for the next presidential election. China's appalling human rights record and huge trade surplus with the United States help their case. But a mismanaged relationship between the world's most powerful country and its most populous one is in no one's long-term interests."

SINGAPORE: "What Price Spying?"

The pro-government Straits Times (3/19): "Ferreting out Chinese moles and tightening security are one thing, but it is quite another if these legitimate steps are used to fuel anti-China hysteria. The fact is, even if China did steal nuclear secrets, it is decades away from posing a security threat to the United States. Its economy is less than one-eighth the size of America's, and it has no more than 20 single-warhead missiles that can reach U.S. shores, compared to the thousands of warheads in America's arsenal, capable of frying the world, let alone China, many times over. If the current Chinese president attempts anything approaching nuclear parity with the United States, he will go down in history as Jiang Ze Brezhnev, and bankrupt his country in the process. China will certainly try to modernize its nuclear and conventional forces, but whether it becomes a threat depends as much on the reactions of others as on its own intentions. The surest way to ensure that it does become a threat is to drive it into a corner. Congressional talk of holding up its entry into the World Trade Organization, for instance, is damnably foolish."

SOUTH KOREA: "Asia, Europe United In Stopping U.S. Dominance"

Yoo Sang-chul noted in business-oriented Joong-Ang Ilbo (3/23): "Asian political leaders are headed to Europe, which appears to be very ready to 'embrace' Asia. This new phenomenon on the international diplomatic stage comes as a result of a shared interest in keeping the global superpower United States in check. While the encounters are being portrayed as economically related, they are about strengthening a growing bond between the two regions. For its part, the United States in already tired of its involvement with global issues, and seems willing to allow these two regions to approach each other.... China and Japan are the most enthusiastic about building greater relations with Europe. With Chinese President Ziang's tour of European nations coming up, China seems geared toward trying to stop U.S. dominance. For China, which seeks to elevate its yuan, making it the world's third-most powerful currency, Europe inevitably carries great significance. On security, too, China is seeking to find European support in holding Washington's Taiwan policy in check. All this is why President Jiang is taking the human rights issue with him on the tour."

"Sino-U.S. Tensions Are Growing"

Business-oriented Joong-Ang Ilbo noted (3/17): "Sino-U.S. tensions are growing over suspected leaks of U.S. nuclear technology to China. Beijing recently made it clear that it has no intention of keeping a low profile, with its ambassador to the United States warning that the two countries' relationship would suffer from the controversy. Part of his message is that it is solely up to Washington to decide whether it wants to be China's friend or enemy.... With TMD plans yet to emerge as a major controversy, China is not ready to back down on this one."

EUROPE

BRITAIN: "Time To Confront Beijing"

The conservative Daily Telegraph contended (3/22): "The annual meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which opens in Geneva today, provides the West with a perfect platform for condemning Chinese treatment of dissidence. In Geneva last year, the European Union and the United States decided not to table or co-sponsor a resolution condemning China on the ground that Beijing was about to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. That has now been done, only to be followed by what the New York-based Human Rights Watch calls 'one of the worst crackdowns against political dissent since 1989,' the year of the Tiananmen Square massacre.... The Americans and Europeans have been led to this pass by a combination of greed for what a huge market can offer and fear of standing up to Beijing. If they fail to sponsor a resolution at the Human Rights Commission, they will merely encourage Chinese leaders to lock up more people who dare to challenge the authority of the Communist Party. For the West to continue as if nothing had happened over the past few months would be shameful."

"How Not To Deal With China"

The independent weekly Economist's editorial judged (3/19): "The row in Washington over China really has become ridiculous this past fortnight. Make no mistake, if the story (of espionage) is true, the security breach is serious. But the right response is to improve security, and to get further ahead in weapons technology. There is no reason why this should change anyone's view of China, or of how best to deal with it."

"China Worries"

The conservative Times ran this lead editorial (3/11): "The mainstream view is still that America must handle China's growing military and economic might by treating it, in hope, as a responsible 'status quo' power. But there are dozens of vociferous counter-voices, both on left and right.... The 'China question' has always had the potential to arouse Americans of all political persuasions.... Doubts in all quarters about Chinese ambitions and behavior have been gravely exacerbated by evidence that, both legally and illegally, China has been acquiring massive quantities of militarily-sensitive American technology. This is a combustible combination.... With patience strained in the United States and pragmatism faltering in China, next month's U.S.-China summit will be a tough test of the troubled Clinton strategy."

FRANCE: "China's European Offensive"

Right-of-center Les Echos pointed out (3/19): "Italy, Switzerland and Austria, where President Jiang will soon be going, are working on an active but discreet trade policy with China. China, affected by the Asian crisis, and experiencing difficulties with Washington, is about to reap the benefits of that policy. Beijing is also adopting an aggressive offensive in Europe, where President Jiang is expected in a five-nation European tour. Two weeks after Madeleine Albright's visit to China, the Chinese are looking for new export markets.

"But it continues nevertheless to wager on the United States because it is convinced that both nations need each other, on the international scene, economically and politically."

GERMANY: "EU Avoids Human Rights Resolution Critical Of China"

Right-of-center Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger held (3/24), "On the one hand, the EU foreign ministers criticize China's human rights policy, while, on the other hand, the EU avoids submitting a resolution critical of China to the Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva. (In the opinion of the EU), the Beijing regime should not be compromised by public statements. In this situation, it is sheer mockery that the communist Chinese leadership promptly and officially gives thanks for this consideration by giving assurances that it now intends to conduct the human rights dialogue with the world with even greater pleasure."

"The China Syndrome In Washington"

Washington correspondent Stefan Kornelius wrote in Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (3/17): "Basically, the controversy about an espionage affair at the Los Alamos laboratory reflects the uncertainty of the U.S. government concerning its relations with China. Washington is pursuing nothing but a 'critical dialogue'--which was fiercely criticized in the case of Europe and Iran--with Beijing: a carrot-and-stick policy, satellite deals and nuclear espionage; human rights and membership in the WTO. These pairs of terms do not fit together, and this is why U.S.-Chinese relations resemble a rodeo ride. There are still enough American critics of China who consider an enemy image to be indispensable for the cohesion of the nation. They must hope that (the CIA) will be able to turn up evidence of the espionage affair at Los Alamos because this can be used to create a minor national trauma."

"China's Pandora's Box"

Under the above headline, Johnny Erling emphasized in an editorial in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin 3/16): "Jiang's speech to the army and Zhu's appearance before the international press are, despite the self-confidence they demonstrated, evidence of how uncertain China's future is. Millions of unemployed in the cities and dissatisfied farmers on the countryside are creating great domestic problems. 'Stability at any price,' this is Beijing's motto. Nevertheless, Jiang and Zhu dared to take a courageous economic step...[in favor of] fair treatment of the private sector. They did so because they need the private sector to achieve economic growth, stop the increase in unemployment, and to allow the survival of their regime. However, delegates...[also]demanded further-reaching reforms concerning taxes, leases, and jobs in the public sector, and...demanded the protection of private assets. A Pandora's box has now been opened in China."

"Juggernaut Of Reform In The Middle Kingdom"

Right-of-center Rhein-Zeitung of Koblenz sketched this scenario (3/16): "There is no question that something is happening in the Middle Kingdom. The reforms that were initiated by Deng Xiaoping can no longer be slowed down.... However, there is a standstill with respect to political reforms. Premier Zhu Rongji, who was praised by the international community as a beacon of hope, is shutting all doors. Questions concerning human rights are for him part of an anti-Chinese wave, and dissidents are considered criminals. With such an approach, it is inconceivable that public discussion about democratization can take place at all."

ITALY: "Jiang In Italy, Seeking Allies Against U.S. Among Europeans"

Leading business Il Sole-24 Ore told its readers (3/20): "As the dispute between the United States and China is in full swing, Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrives in Italy, the first leg of his first trip abroad this year.

"Jiang Zemin is very well disposed toward Europe and toward Rome. The United States necessarily remains the most important partner, Russia is second, and Japan has too many investments in China not to be respected, but Beijing has always and will always have a basic distrust toward all three. Not toward Europe. And even less so for Italy, whose government supported the need for a dialogue with China on human rights when nobody wanted to even talk to those responsible for the Tiananmen repression."

"Spy Story Restores U.S.-China Big Chill"

PDS (leading government party) L'Unita declared (3/19): "Jiang Zemin arrives in Europe at a time when a big chill is suddenly characterizing America-China relations again--no longer over Tiananmen, human rights or economic issues, but over strategic and military issues [and] Cold War matters like nuclear espionage, 'star wars,' military threats and counter-threats. Europe is not involved. But that's why it could help improve the atmosphere, as it did in the days of Mao."

BELGIUM: "A Chinese Mole At Los Alamos"

New York correspondent Nathalie Mattheiem pointed out in independent Le Soir (3/10): "Beijing has acquired an American nuclear secret.... While the new secretary...for energy flatters himself for having taken appropriate measures, the only one who seems to have suffered in this affair is the person responsible for security in Los Alamos, who has been downgraded."

DENMARK: "EU Will Not Condemn China Over Human Rights"

Center-left Politiken's editorial insisted (3/23): "The EU will not condemn China at the UN Human Rights Convention even though human rights violations have increased during recent years. It does not seem much to expect, but the EU [only] managed to agree on expressing concern. None of the countries dare to risk trade problems with China."

"Only U.S. Can Keep China On Positive Course"

Center-left Politiken argued (3/22): "The United States is still the only Western power that has the ability to keep China on a positive course. Domestic narrow-mindedness and provincialism should not be allowed to affect Sino-American relations. This relationship will be a central element in global power politics during the next century."

HUNGARY: "Warheads And Scandals"

Washington correspondent Gabor Lambert predicted in conservative Magyar Nemzet (3/11): "So far only a Taiwan-born scientist has been sacked from the Los Alamos lab, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. Chinese military technology has gotten a generation closer to that of the United States.... The Republicans' target now is the Clinton administration's China policy. And it is not by accident that Vice President Al Gore has taken to protecting the administration on CNN since he is the one who can lose the most."

SPAIN: "W-88: 'Made In China'"

Conservative ABC remarked (3/11): "Americans are perplexed over the latest revelations of espionage and theft of nuclear technology during the Clinton administration. The elements of this deceit-filled intrigue in which the Chinese have been cast as the villains include: the dismissal of a Chinese-American scientist working at the center for American nuclear weapons research in Los Alamos National Laboratory, the presumption that the Chinese have now come into possession of American technology needed to miniaturize nuclear warheads, and Beijing's donations to Clinton's political campaign."

SOUTH ASIA

INDIA: "Jiang To Propose Global Missile Ban Treaty"

The centrist Hindu's Tokyo correspondent, F.J. Khergamvala, opined (3/22): "The highlight of [Chinese President Jang Zemin's] agenda [in Europe] is the speech to the Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament (COD), where Jiang is expected to join battle with the United States on missile defense issue and space based weapons. A U.S.-led alliance's stated emphasis on developing what is called the Theater Missile Defense (TMD)...has shifted the Asian focus from economic problems to security issues. Additionally, it has altered the entire Asian security paradigm as China fears the TMD will threaten its march toward effective military parity within East Asia.... Conceptually the Chinese focus on security may be tactically wise in that when Prime Minister Zhu Rongji goes to the United States next month, it draws away attention from the politically explosive issue of Beijing's trade surplus with the United States."

"Sino-U.S. Doublespeak"

An editorial in the centrist Times of India maintained (3/19): "Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji is to visit the United States shortly and has admitted that he will be doing so in an atmosphere that is not entirely friendly. U.S. officials, legislators and media persons have highlighted the espionage case involving a scientist of Chinese origin.... As is to be expected, the Chinese premier has dismissed the allegations. What is of significance, however, is neither the U.S. assertion nor the Chinese denial, but the double standards of the United States in respect of Chinese declaratory positions. The Clinton administration, understandably enough, refuses to accept the Chinese denial in the espionage case, but for some reason it exhorts India to believe China's declaratory statements on nuclear and missile proliferation to Pakistan. The United States argues that this proliferation is a thing of the past and, therefore, should not be treated as current Chinese policy.... While the United States lectures India on how the development of missiles would be destabilizing--despite a number of countries in India's neighborhood already possessing them--the initiation of a totally new system of antiballistic missiles by the United States is not considered destabilizing by U.S. authorities and legislators.... Preaching one standard of conduct to others while adopting a different one for oneself is the sure sign of hegemonism."

"Keeping Up The Momentum"

Former Indian Foreign Secretary A. P. Venkateswaran commented in the nationalist Hindustan Times (3/18): "It is quite likely that, in view of the avoidable tensions created during Albright's visit and the recent revelations about the passing on of highly sensitive nuclear secrets from Los Alamos National Laboratory, the atmospherics in the U.S. Congress will be far less welcoming [to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji] than otherwise.... There is no way that the issue can now be swept under the carpet, and it promises to be a potential source of embarrassment during Zhu's visit."

"U.S. Debates China Policy"

Strategic affairs editor C. Raja Mohan observed in the centrist Hindu (3/18): "The U.S. expert community has been dominated by Sinophiles, who argued that by sustained engagement, the West would succeed in slowly but certainly transforming China into a modern democratic state.... This balance of forces in favor of engaging China now faces a new threat by the latest expose of Chinese nuclear espionage in the United States."

"Not So Simple"

An editorial in the centrist Statesman held (3/17): "In the long run, the United States will have a very different China on its hands, not only tough and mean, but also technologically sophisticated and, therefore, maybe, less willing to talk things over.... The bottom line is that, given its size and resources, the pace at which its economy is growing--greater China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) already boasts more foreign exchange reserves than Japan--and the rapid modernization of its industrial-military complex, China is well on its way to genuine superpower status.... The blind spot the United States has developed could jeopardize American interests in a manner Washington does not see for the dollars."

"Going To The U.S."

Washington correspondent Chidanand Rajghatta wrote this analysis in the right-of-center Indian Express (3/17): "After years of sporadic attention to what they say are China's aggressive designs, U.S. lawmakers are finally waking up to the 'threat from Beijing'--from its nuclear espionage to its growing ballistic reach to its belligerent outlook in Asia and even outside.... The U.S. media, too, has begun to adopt a critical tone in its evaluation of Sino-American ties, something the Chinese leadership appears to have noticed."

"U.S. Orders China Spy Probe"

Washington Correspondent Seema Sirohi wrote in the centrist Telegraph (3/17): "The pilferage (by China) of U.S. nuclear secrets from a government laboratory...is on the verge of becoming a full-blown headache for the White House.... Conservative senators are determined to deny China at least two prizes--entry into the WTO and the annual granting of MFN trading status.... The changing mood of the Congress...could place a major hurdle in Clinton's path as he tries to work on the WTO entry for China."

"China Bomb Ticks For Clinton"

The centrist Telegraph held (3/16): "For the first time Clinton is (being) forced to face China's aggressive nuclear policy, something that has been evident in South Asia for at least two decades. Now that Beijing has been found with its finger in the American nuclear establishment, U.S. officials are finally looking for answers. China has vehemently denied the charge...(but) the match has been lit under Clinton's 'constructive engagement' policy."

"The Chinese Conundrum"

Washington correspondent N.C. Menon penned this analysis in the nationalist Hindustan Times (3/15): "Successive American administrations have had a China policy that teeters between willing to wound and being afraid to hurt.... Even as the Chinese espionage issue is getting more complex and contentious here, the nuclear establishment in India will probably view the whole affair with a deepened sense of deja vu. For over the last two or three decades, there have been reports about Pakistan clandestinely acquiring nuclear material, technology and designs from various sources in the United States.... As with the Chinese transgressions, various U.S. administrations have preferred to look the other way, despite credible intelligence reports pointing unmistakably at what Islamabad is up to.... [The Clinton administration] seems unable to grasp the fact that China is totalitarian, expansionist and ambitious. Beijing has become the chief arms supplier to all the 'rogue' states that are violently anti American: North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Libya. It treats with contempt American protests over human rights. China is not America's naturally ally. On the contrary, it is its most serious and, eventually, most bitter rival."

NEPAL: "Cold War"

Government-owned Gorkhapatra commented (3/13): "It seems that the wave of a cold war between the United States and China is now beginning to develop.... The republican party is accusing the U.S. governmet of getting soft on China and helping the Asian giant strengthen the people's liberation army.... The present U.S. government cannot afford to be soft on China at least for the interest of Vice Gresident Al Gore, who is running for the presidency in the next election.... China is serious about the U.S. plan to establish an anti-missile security shield which encompasses several countries including Taiwan... China considers this an interference in its territory.... During the planned visit of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to Washington we will find out whether the two countries want to throw themselves into a vicious cold war or not."

WESTERN HEMISPHERE

CANADA: "Selling Out To China Was Clinton's Real Crime"

Contributing foreign editor, Eric Margolis, penned this commentary in the conservative Ottawa Sun (3/15): "Americans, who don't normally associate Chinese with spying, were surprised and angered [about the revelations of the Los Alamos espionage]. They shouldn't be. China's Ministry of State Security and military intelligence are among the world's largest and most skilled spy services.... In 1991, Chinese agents began making very large contributions to the presidential election campaigns of Clinton and leading Democratic Party senators and congressmen.... China's efforts sharply intensified during Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign. Bill and Hillary Clinton warmly welcomed Chinese agents at the White House. Beijing's objective was to obtain access to secret American technology, and, for the first time, to actively shape U.S. military and trade policy toward China.... For a mere $2 million or so, Clinton and the Democrats kept U.S. markets open to Chinese exports, and ignored China's poor human rights record. Clinton went so far as to arrange the transfer of advanced American missile guidance and control technology to Beijing.... This, not the sordid Monica episode, was a crime, and one for which Clinton deserved to be convicted."

"Clinton's Craven China Policy"

Columnist David Frum observed in the new conservative National Post (3/13): "America desperately needs a president and secretary of state who can eloquently make the case for a balanced and moderate China policy--one that maintains America's military dominance in the Pacific and holds China accountable for misconduct like espionage; but one that also recognizes free trade with China is liberalizing that regime and integrating the 1.2 billion Chinese into the world community. Unfortunately, America does not have such a president or secretary of state.... Because the foreign policy team is so tainted, every decision it makes is tainted, too.... What Congress and the press now see is an administration that has aided China to build a nuclear missile force that can threaten U.S. cities; that has failed to guard U.S. secrets; that fails to punish anti-American espionage; that has let U.S. military strength in the Pacific slip; that blusters and threatens but never actually does anything; and that at the same time was accepting large, illegal cash gifts to the president's re-election campaign from the Chinese. In other words, what we have here is the makings of a foreign policy explosion.... But this administration's weakness and venality raise again the old troubling questions about who the Democrats really are and what they stand for."

ARGENTINA: "Historic Step Taken In China"

An editorial in daily-of-record La Nacion held (3/19): "The amendment of the Chinese constitution protecting...the private economic activity is a historic step toward the consolidation of a system based on the respect for individual rights....

"It is likely that...this institutional opening will have an impact on the development of China's economy, but this does not seem to be the gist of the matter.... The 'special areas of development' already exist.... Much more suggestive is the fact that through economic reform...China is providing some light to the shadows of its closed political system.... If China persists on its current economic policy...political and civil liberties will prevail in its society. The decline of economic totalitarianism will substantially change the Chinese regime and that will undoubtedly be one of the great events of world history in the next decades."

BRAZIL: "China, U.S. Rehearse Duel Of The 21st Century"

Center-right O Estado de Sao Paulo's East Asia correspondent Pepe Escobar maintained (3/14): "China considers itself the center of the universe. The United States considers itself the center of the universe. A collision course, in the 21st century, is unavoidable. Perhaps it is not necessary to wait: U.S.-China relations are now in their most critical moment since March 1996, when China launched a battery of missiles in the Taiwan Strait. At the same time when the United States announces its intention to build an anti-missile shield in Northeast Asia...scientist Wen Ho Lee has been fired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, because he has supposedly leaked information on technology that will permit China to launch lighter and more powerful bombs from submarines or with surface-to-air missiles.... It is unlikely that in such a ballistic atmosphere the two parties will establish any progress regarding their only substantial issue: the entry of China into the WTO."

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3/24/99

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