April 24, 2000
CHINA WATCH: VIEWS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, U.S. MILITARY SALES TO TAIWAN
China watchers in East Asia and Europe mulled over two developments in U.S.-China relations over the past week--the decision by the UN Human Rights Commission's decision not to debate a U.S.-sponsored resolution condemning China's human rights record and the Clinton administration's decision not to include Aegis-equipped destroyers in a package of arms sales to Taiwan. Predictably, official Chinese dailies, pro-PRC outlets in Hong Kong and a Communist Party paper in Vietnam crowed about the "defeat" of the U.S.' "anti-China resolution" at the Geneva UNHRC meeting. Media in Europe, however, had a different take, with most lamenting the Europeans'1 "sad performance" in failing to support the U.S. resolution. Military sales to Taiwan set off a debate in the Taipei media, with pro-independence and pro-unification dailies split along ideological lines. Those favoring independence saw the move as "indirect encouragement to Beijing...to use force against the island," while pro-unification outlets argued that the list of items approved for Taiwan "was actually not too bad." While official Beijing media were relatively mum on the arms sale issue, they nonetheless ran official statements emphasizing that "supplying weapons inflates the arrogance of Taiwan independence forces, and undermines and creates further tensions" across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing dailies also castigated Taiwan's Vice President-elect Annette Lu's "evil attempt to realize Taiwan independence" and warned that if Ms. Lu "underestimates the...PLA's strength to resolve the Taiwan question, the consequences will be disastrous." Highlights in commentary follow:
'EAST' VS. 'WEST' ON HUMAN RIGHTS: Beijing's flagship People's Daily and other official papers exulted over the "isolated" U.S.' "ninth failure" to condemn China's human rights record at the UNHRC's annual confab. The U.S. should have become "wiser after eight setbacks," the dailies intoned, and aired their usual charges that the U.S. uses the "camouflage of human rights" to "seek hegemony" and "interfere in China's internal affairs." In Europe, editorialists in a number of German papers had harsh words for the EU, accusing the grouping of "unanimously" shirking its "responsibility" to support the U.S. petition "to reprimand Beijing." "The EU's actions," said business Financial Times of Deutschland in a typical view, "give the impression as if it quietly wanted to leave the annual exercise in Geneva--as well as other unpleasant aspects of a China policy--to the U.S." Paris's right-of-center weekly Le Point, however, saw no reason to condemn the EU, insisting instead that "the entire planet's major concern is that China succeed in its changeover without a major explosion. And that, along with Europe, it will help to balance U.S. power. This, at least, is France's hope."
ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN: Writers in the region and in Europe saw the Clinton administration as "on the horns of a dilemma" over arms sales to Taiwan. Some, including business-oriented papers in Tokyo and Moscow, held that the decision not to sell Aegis destroyers to the island might appease China but could "touch off a fight with the Republican-dominated Congress."
EDITOR: Kathleen J. Brahney
EDITOR'S NOTE: This survey is based on 40 reports from 12 countries, April 16 - 22. Editorial excerpts are grouped by region; editorials from each country are listed from the most recent date.
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
CHINA: "Action Futile"
The official, English-language China Daily stated (4/22): "Despite its own notorious human rights record, the United States has often venomously labeled others as human rights violators. The UN Human Rights Commission has become the theater for its political farces. Its true intention is not to promote human rights throughout the world, but to pursue power politics and hegemonism. It takes human rights as a new tool to force others to follow its political regime and ideology. The U.S. act of politicizing the human rights issue has affected the smooth progress of dialogue in the international community on human rights. China will resolutely fight to the end if the United States continues to distort China's human rights record."
"Strong Stance"
The official, English-language China Daily also noted (4/22): "Zhang Wannian, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said yesterday that China will not allow any form of 'Taiwan independence,' or foreign interference in the Taiwan issue, nor let the Taiwan issue remain unsettled without a time limit. He stressed that China persists in the policy of 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems."
"U.S.' Double Standard On Human Rights, Cults"
Official, Communist Party People's Daily intoned (Renmin Ribao, 4/21): "Since July 1999, when the Chinese government banned Falun Gong in accordance with law, the United States' anti-China forces have used the cult as a new card to play in the ongoing human rights game. Some in the United States willingly support the Falun Gong cult, which is acting against human rights and humankind. Have they forgotten the slogan of 'protecting human rights' that they chant every day?... When the Chinese government legally banned a cult group that had not followed legal registration procedures, anti-China forces in the United States roared, accusing China of 'infringing on human rights.' While the United States is allowed to set a fire, China is not allowed to light a lamp. It is obvious that the United States has adopted a double standard on the issue of human rights in order to serve the interests of the United States itself. Some in the United States are inordinately fond of Falun Gong, not because they believe in the mystical powers of Li Hongzhi, but because the issue gives them another opportunity to interfere in China's internal affairs."
"Anti-China Attempt Ends Up In Failure"
The official, English-language China Daily intoned (4/20): "Always posing as a 'human rights judge' and concocting resolutions now and then, the United States seeks nothing but hegemony. It interferes in other countries' internal affairs and imposes values upon others all in guise of human rights.... Changing its strategy this year, Washington used the Falun Gong cult as its weapon. The United States has gone too far in linking the human rights issue with an evil cult which cannot be tolerated by any country. The real intention of the United States is to interfere in China's internal affairs.... The failure of the United States shows once again that the United States is acting against the current of the times."
"Overbearing And Unjust Move Enjoys No Support"
Gu Ping noted in official, Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao, 4/20): "Having exhausted all of its tricks, the United States could only use the issue of Falun Gong to launch another attack against China at the UN Human Rights Commission. The U.S. move of seeking supremacy under the pretext of human rights blasphemes the cause of human rights and goes against the will of the world's people. It is noteworthy that there are always some diehards who stubbornly try to poison the atmosphere of the human rights cause and disrupt dialogue and cooperation in this field. It is time that the United States learned from its nine previous failures and stopped its insidious attempts to interfere in other countries' internal affairs."
"Nation Urges Halt To Weapons Sales"
Shao Zongwei observed in the official, English-language China Daily (4/19): "China again urged the United States to honor previously signed commitments and phase out weapons sales to Taiwan.... 'Supplying weapons inflates the arrogance of Taiwan independence forces, and undermines and creates further tensions,' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi. 'Only when the United States observes its arms sales commitments can Sino-U.S. relations develop smoothly and tensions ease across the Taiwan Straits.'"
"Anti-China Move Fails"
The official, English-language China Daily declared (4/19): "Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said the U.S. move of sponsoring a ninth anti-China initiative at the UN Human Rights Commission contravenes the purposes and principles of the UN Charter...and can lead nowhere but to self-isolation and self-defeat."
"Isolated U.S. Suffered Ninth Failure"
Guo Yongyi and Gu Yuqing judged in official, Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao, 4/19): "Having failed to become wiser after eight setbacks, the United States suffered a ninth heavy blow at the UNHRC. Becoming increasingly isolated, the United States should learn that confrontation leads nowhere, and dialogue and cooperation are the only way out."
"U.S. Opposes Self-Reliant China"
Li Jingchen, Lu Dasheng and Yi Gaochao noted in official, Central Legal and Political Commission Legal Daily (Fazhi Ribao, 4/19): "Readily waving the human rights stick to China, the United States, after all, is unwilling to see a rapidly growing and self-reliant China. Therefore, the United States has always mulled over ways to disparage China by using the human rights issues and create obstacles to coerce China into abandoning and changing its own way of development. The recent U.S. move of sponsoring another anti-China bill at the UN Human Rights Commission is a typical example of interfering in other countries' internal affairs and seeking hegemony under the camouflage of human rights. As its general elections draw near, the United States, driven by political needs, has attempted to convert the UN Human Rights Commission into a place to solicit votes for American politicians."
"Road Of Politicizing Human Rights Is A Dead End"
Ren Zhenqiang commented in the State Council Economic Daily (Jingji Ribao, 4/19): "Facing another defeat at the UN Human Rights Commission, the United States had to wind up its
anti-China farce disgracefully. Ten years of history has proven that politicizing human rights issues and confrontation are a dead end."
"History Is A Mirror"
Xue Jianhua and Sun Chengbin said in the official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao, 4/18): "Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party member Annette Lu's evil attempt to realize Taiwan independence relying on foreign interference is nothing more than a daydream."
"One-China Principle Cannot Be Shaken"
The official People's Daily (4/17) quoted the Liberation Army Daily as saying: "All officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and armed police are paying close attention to [Taiwanese Vice President-elect] Annette Lu's remarks.... Taiwan independence means war. If Annette Lu and other people who share her beliefs underestimate the Chinese people's determination and the PLA's strength to resolve the Taiwan question, the consequences will be disastrous by pushing Taiwan into the abyss of war and putting the welfare of the 23 million people of Taiwan at stake."
"U.S. Resolution To Lead Nowhere"
Xin Bei stressed in the official, English-language China Daily (4/15): "Despite its previous eight failures, the U.S. government still chose to cling to the short-sighted course of sponsoring an anti-China bill at the U.S. Human Rights Commission..... A closer examination will reveal how hypocritical this self-appointed guardian of human rights is. As a reflection of its domestic politics, the anti-China resolution is mainly advocated by some of the U.S. politicians who have jumped at the chance to nag China, especially in election years, to score political points."
"Those Going Against The People's Will Doomed To Failure"
Official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) intoned (4/5): "All politicians on the Taiwan Island should draw a lesson from Lee Teng-hui's downfall and make a wise choice that is in line with the interests of all of Taiwan's people and the overall interests of the entire Chinese nation."
HONG KONG: "Fragile Balance In Arms Deal"
Greg Torode had this to say in the independent South China Morning Post (4/20): "The package of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan approved by the Clinton White House this week represents an intriguing dollar-each-way bet ahead of a climactic few months in the Beijing-Washington-Taipei relationship.... Taiwan has said little publicly about this week's deal, but if the new presidential regime is concerned, it will have the perfect opportunity to voice it on May 20, when President-elect Chen Shui-bian is inaugurated in Taipei--a unique chance to set the tenor of the U.S.-Taiwan-China triangle. The speech comes just two days ahead of the expected vote in the House of Representatives in Washington on the issue of granting permanent normal trade rights to China--a vote still too close to call and one pivotal to its smooth entry into the World Trade Organization.... However, a cabinet-level official is expected to visit Taipei a fortnight later for the annual meeting of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, in an act that will also help cement wider ties with the Chen regime. The appearance of a cabinet officer at this event is a normal part of what has been a decade-long tradition. These are however, all sides are warning, anything but normal times."
"U.S. Anti-Chinese Resolution Loses Again"
Pro-PRC Wen Wei Po featured this editorial (4/19): "No country is willing to support the U.S. anti-Chinese resolution.
"From another angle, this also indicates that the U.S. anti-Chinese conspiracy goes against the will of the people. Although America's allies hold different views from China on various human rights issues, these countries are willing to have a dialogue with China rather than confront it. China's stance is that it can have...an exchange views on human rights issues, but no one should use human rights issues to interfere in other countries' internal affairs."
"U.S. Anti-Chinese Resolution Loses Again"
Pro-PRC Ta Kung Pao asserted (4/19): "The United States created a lie again in this year's resolution, saying that China's human rights situation is getting 'worse'. This spear is not pointing only at China, but also at the developing countries. Actually, the United States is not concerned about China's human rights situation. It only cares about its own power and hegemony."
"U.S. Misjudgment Of Cross-Strait Situation May Cause Endless Trouble"
The independent Ming Pao Daily News commented in its editorial (4/16): "Senior U.S. government officials now...think that Beijing does not have the military strength to attack and occupy Taiwan. All those military exercises are just empty shows of strength. So long as the Taipei administration makes some symbolic concessions and gives Beijing a way out, cross-Strait negotiations can be procrastinated indefinitely. The status quo in the Taiwan Strait can be maintained, and the United States can, on the one hand, continue to do business with China and, on the other, continue to sell weapons to Taiwan. This estimation is definitely wrong. Beijing may not have the ability to take control of all of Taiwan quickly, but it has the ability to blockade, control and attack, paralyzing Taiwan."
TAIWAN: "U.S. Tries To Seek Balance In Arms Sales Decision"
Washington correspondent James Wang stressed in the conservative, pro-unification United Daily News (4/19): "It is quite obvious that the Clinton administration's decision on the arms sales list to Taiwan hinges on the military balance across the Taiwan Strait. Given the Taiwan Relations Act and Washington's commitment to Taiwan, the United States should not decide its arms sales to Taiwan based on the attitude of Beijing. However, it is unavoidable for Washington to take Beijing's possible reaction into consideration when making such a decision.... It [will] always be a contentious problem to decide how much weaponry sold is called enough. The list of arms that Washington has approved to sell is actually not too bad for Taiwan. The Clinton administration's approval of selling a long-range radar system will greatly upgrade Taiwan's air defense capabilities.... Clinton's decision will not mark an ending, but probably a new beginning to the controversial Aegis system deal, for the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act will soon be discussed by the Congress."
"U.S. Must Not Act Too Cautiously On Arms Sales To Taiwan"
An editorial in the liberal, pro-independence Liberty Times held (4/19): "It is a great pity that under the increasing military threats from Beijing, the U.S. government not only postponed its decision to sell Taiwan the Aegis destroyers that it needs most urgently, but also added conditions to the sale of a long-range radar system which it had promised to sell Taiwan this year. The move...will put Taiwan in an unfavorable position in defending itself when facing sudden attacks from China. Especially when Taiwan is now in a period of power transfer, national security and political stability are, among other things, mostly important for the island.... Although Clinton made the decision in order not to provoke China, the consequences...will be just the opposite.
"Not allowing Taiwan to possess sufficient defense capabilities [will] mean an indirect encouragement to China that it could simply neglect the international reaction, ignore Washington's determination to defend Taiwan's democracy, and use force against the island whenever it likes. This development certainly will contribute nothing to the peace across the Taiwan Strait."
"Aegis Destroyer Deal Attempt Fails; Pentagon Withdraws Support"
Washington correspondent Norman Fu contended in the centrist, pro-status quo China Times (4/18): "When the U.S. administration was originally discussing the case, the Pentagon was the greatest supporter of Washington's sale to Taiwan of Aegis destroyers. But the Pentagon's sudden change of heart at this critical moment indicates a great setback for Taipei. This development especially deals a heavy blow to the new DPP government which will take office next month.... Although Chen Shui-bian's new government has tried very hard to soften its pro-independence stance, its pro-independence image, like a leopard's skin, still worries most people. U.S. President Bill Clinton does not want to send a wrong signal by approving the Aegis destroyer deal. In addition, his consideration of current Washington-Beijing ties as well as the deadlocked cross-Strait relations right now all helped to veto the Aegis case. Another more probable reason is that Clinton has less than a year left in the White House. It is not necessary for him to make a decision on this controversial arms sales case with such a short term left in office, so why not leave it to the new government to decide?"
"U.S.' Modest Arms Sales Will Make China More Aggressive"
In the editorial view of the pro-opposition, pro-independence Taiwan Times (4/19): "First, we believe that the Pentagon's decision to postpone selling Taiwan the Aegis destroyers was made, on the surface, out of fear that it would further roil the tension across the Taiwan Strait. In reality, however, it is a self-restricted, narrow-minded approach. If the U.S. government repeatedly looks upon Beijing's attitude as an index for deciding whether to sell weapons to Taiwan, it would only make China all the more aggressive and take whatever it wants. Be that the case, the United States' leading position in the cross-Strait security, as well as its function and role in the regional strategic planning, will all fall under the control of China. Therefore, we want to remind the United States that it is good and necessary to reduce the cross-Strait tension and maintain stability in the region. But it would be too naïve if Washington thinks it can keep the whole area safe by appeasing China."
JAPAN: "Aegis Decision Imperils MFN For China"
Business-oriented Nihon Keizai's Washington correspondent Sunohara observed (4/19): "The Clinton administration is sitting on the horns of a dilemma over its policies toward China and Taiwan. The Clinton administration decided on Monday against the sale of four Aegis destroyers to Taiwan, but approved the sale of long-range radar designed to detect missile launches. The administration rejected Taiwan's request to buy the Aegis ships in order to avoid angering China.... The decision could touch off a fight with the Republican-dominated Congress, where support for Taiwan is strong. It could also adversely affect congressional approval of the administration's proposal for renewing most favored nation (MFN) trading status for China, scheduled for late May."
SINGAPORE: "Responsible Decision On Arms To Taiwan"
The pro-government Straits Times' editorial emphasized (4/19): "No one should envy Mr. Clinton the spot he was in.
"This was ultimately a responsible decision he made, having regard to domestic pulls and the factors that could tip the China-Taiwan squabble over into armed conflict.... Desisting from a warship sale at this stage of delicate cross-Strait relations, when Beijing is still feeling out President-elect Chen Shui-bian and his intentions on independence, will allow both sides to settle down to what is hoped will be a form of dialogue, if not accommodation..... If China allows temperatures to cool, Mr. Clinton will be vindicated, at the same time strengthening his hand in getting Congress to approve trade normalization with China.... Taiwan was at any rate not going away empty-handed at this year's arms review.... U.S. congressional studies, in fact, show that Taiwan is an arms shopaholic...making it the world's number-two buyer.... China is eighth.... But this is not why Mr. Clinton's denial for Taipei is welcome. It is simply good politics for its time, and relief will be felt everywhere in Asia."
"Arms Bizarre"
The pro-government Straits Times declared (4/17): "Then there is the China-Taiwan relationship. Should Israel see strategic value in exploiting China's close ties with the Arab nations, and proceed with a Phalcon package deal as a sweetener, the United States may consider anew the Taiwanese request to buy Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers. The Americans, not Israel, would then be contributing to the tension as, by their definition, the Phalcon, like the AWACS, is defensive."
VIETNAM: "UN Human Rights Commission-A Tool For Whom?"
Viet Trung queried in mouthpiece of Ho Chi Minh City's Communist Party Sai Gon Giai Phong (4/20): "Is the UN Human Rights Commission really objective when judging the human rights of the other countries?... It's funny that this year the United States has more skillfully used the human rights card to fashion a more objective face for the commission by not directly criticizing the human rights in other nations but, instead, standing behind some countries to pull the strings.... The developments of the 56th session of the UNHRC...have proven that the UN commission is, in fact, nothing but a tool to serve the U.S. schemes aimed at intervening in the internal affairs of other countries and imposing American-style democracy and human rights on others."
EUROPE
FRANCE: "The Chinese Angle"
Claude Imbert told readers of right-of-center weekly Le Point (4/21): "China has put all its eggs in the basket of economic growth. Productivity is the key word for the Chinese regime, with the ultimate goal of becoming a member of the very select business club of the WTO, despite how much it will cost China.... Condemning the cultural revolution or the Tiananmen repression is not one of its major concerns.... As for the West's appeals about human rights, it has very little effect on Beijing.... The entire planet's major concern is that China succeed in its changeover without a major explosion. And that, along with Europe, it will help to balance U.S. power. This, at least, is France's hope."
"America's Strategy In Asia In Danger"
Thierry de Montbrial argued in right-of-center Le Figaro (4/21): "Most observers agree that the probability of an armed conflict between China and Taiwan has increased in the past few months.... In the event of a war, the United States will not remain neutral. In the meantime, we can expect an arms race.... America's strategy in Asia is in danger today.
"In the event of a break in the balance of power in the region, the United States will have to intervene hard and fast to save its position. Each player in the region is well aware of this, which in itself is one of the best possible deterrents."
GERMANY: "A Sad Performance"
Right-of-center Frankfurter Allgemeine contended in an editorial (4/19): "If the UN Human Rights Commission had followed its mandate only halfway, it would have had to condemn unanimously the Russian strategy in Chechnya this year...[but] the EU countries want to continue influencing Russia with a strategy of benevolent advice. And China, too, escaped once again unscathed, because the EU could not muster enough energy to follow suit, even though the United States showed less consideration for Beijing this time."
"Europe Chickens Out Vis-a-Vis China"
Centrist Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich asked in an editorial (4/19): "The UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva has again decided to strike from its agenda the U.S. petition to reprimand Beijing. The Europeans gave their usual sad performance during their meeting, but this time with new players. So far, the Europeans have had to accept the annual complaint that they are unable to close ranks. This time, the complaint could not be made--all countries shied away from their responsibility unanimously. The EU was not above announcing last month that it had found a position vis-a-vis China, but would not reveal that position until the final vote. Thus, the Europeans again left the United States alone with its petition to reprimand China. The calculation was simple: Why expose oneself unnecessarily to China's wrath if the resolution--as just happened--does not even end up on the table? 'We would have, if only'...the Europeans will now boast."
"Cut Down"
Left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau intoned (4/19): "The unwritten law which says that no permanent member of the UN Security Council can be reprimanded by the UN Human Rights Commission has once again proven true. With a narrow but sufficient margin the relative majority of commission members once again rejected a resolution concerning the situation in China. What is most disturbing about this is the fact that each decision not to act, a routine procedure by now, cuts off any discussion about human rights abuses and basic freedom in China. It would be reasonable to set a few things straight before China becomes a member of the WTO. China is asking to be let into the organization. Once China is a member, a tool for forcing the regime in Beijing to honor fundamental human rights will be lost. There is a link between world trade and human rights: The countries in which human beings do not have the right to organize themselves are the countries with the lowest production costs."
"Europe Fails, China Wins"
Business-oriented Financial Times of Deutschland opined (4/19): "If the EU had openly supported the U.S. petition, it could have made things a little harder for Beijing. Now, however, China was able to get a number of developing countries on its side with the argument that the U.S. petition was simply an effort by the self-appointed world policeman to use its standards in order to force poorer countries into a corner.... Both Russia and India were in the forefront of nations preventing the China resolution from being accepted--two countries which have been seeking closer ties with China for some time in order to build up together a strategic counterweight to the United States. The EU's actions give the impression as if it quietly wanted to leave the annual exercise in Geneva--as well as other unpleasant aspects of a China policy--to the United States."
"Fear Of Antagonizing China"
Right-of-center Freie Presse of Chemnitz emphasized (4/19): "Once again the People's Republic was able to use its influence and economic power with success.... What nation wants to endanger its economic cooperation or its export opportunities vis-a-vis a country with 1.3 billion people? It is a shame that both the United States, which at least filed the petition, and the EU states, which supported the petition, were not able to put together a majority against China. It is easy to suspect that they did not try hard enough in order to avoid upsetting Beijing."
ITALY: "Human Rights--China Eludes UN Censure"
Pro-DS (leading government party) L'Unita remarked (4/19): "China made it. Once again, Beijing authorities avoided the vote of condemnation by the UN Human Rights Commission.... Human Rights Watch, an NGO, maintains that the United States might have done more to promote its motion."
"Ships To Taiwan--Clinton Vetoes The Supply"
Marco Valsania filed from New York for leading business Il Sole-24 Ore (4/19): "Looking for a difficult compromise between Taiwan's defense and conciliatory tones with China, Clinton approved military assistance to Taipei, which also includes sophisticated missile and radar systems. But he rejected the request to send four very new torpedo-boat destroyers.... Clinton's compromise needs to deal with a domestic issue: the need to take the willingness of the Republican majority in Congress into account.... The aim is to advance the prospects of approval of the trade agreements with China in order to pave the way for its entrance into the WTO.... Indeed, if the American president wants the trade agreements with China to be passed, he will need the support of the Republicans, since the Democratic party is divided. Yesterday the Democratic leader, Dick Gephardt, made his opposition to the bill clear...and might launch a campaign to reject the agreement."
RUSSIA: "U.S. Wants Normal Ties With Both Parts Of China"
Andrei Ivanov noted in reformist, business-oriented Kommersant (4/19): "Bill Clinton has banned the sale of modern weapons to Taiwan, risking a conflict with Congress. As a result, the Republicans may refuse to endorse China's admission to the WTO. The current crisis in the upper echelon of power in the United States has been caused by the Administration, understandably, seeking normal relations with both parts of China--Taiwan and the People's Republic of China."
SPAIN: "Different Treatment For Cuba, China"
Independent El Mundo judged (4/19): "China managed for the ninth consecutive time to avoid condemnation.... Such capitulation before the Chinese giant is particularly painful as a human rights activist in China today could be imprisoned for more than ten years for such activism."
TURKEY: "Chinese Leader In Turkey"
Izzet Sedes pointed out in mass-appeal, sensational Aksam (4/20): "China is rapidly developing in an economic sense. However, the answer to the question, whether or not this rapid economic development will bring political liberalization along with it, remains to be seen....
"Chinese leader Jiang Zemin is touring the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean countries, including Turkey, because Beijing is eager to develop more trade relations with the outside world.... There is no reason why Turkey should not enhance strategic cooperation with China. Besides, Turkey's multidimensional foreign policy approach makes this quite feasible."
"Grounds For Cooperation With China"
Sami Kohen maintained in mass-appeal, centrist Milliyet (4/19): "In today's world, ideological differences are overshadowed by pragmatism. Therefore, there can be no direct and serious problems between China and Turkey. But the situation of the [Turkic-speaking] Uighurs creates a potential risk for disagreement and conflict.... Therefore, the decision to present the Turkish state medal to the visiting Chinese leader Jiang Zemin became an issue. Fortunately, that issue was resolved after the [nationalist ruling party] MHP adopted a pragmatic approach.... Despite some differences, there should be grounds for cooperation, which could be beneficial for both sides."
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