The One Thing China Must Do

When Chinese soldiers and tanks turned on student demonstrators in Tian An Men Square last year, the horror of the confrontation exploded on television screens around the world. Today, 18 months later, there are no TV cameras or other media to document the persecution of the students who led demonstrators in demanding greater freedoms. But the students’ peaceful attempt to seek broader freedom of expression and a modest measure of democracy is now being maligned as crimes of sedition and counterrevolution. China’s state-controlled media have made no mention of the official prosecutions of a dozen student protest leaders.

The Bush Administration has been noticeably and irritably silent on the human rights abuses. But that might change when Richard Schifter, U.S. assistant secretary of state for human rights and humanitarian affairs, meets with Chinese officials, at their invitation, in Beijing next week.

He is expected to discuss the plight of hundreds of students, intellectuals and others jailed for participating in the protests.

Human rights have seldom occupied a place of honor in China’s long history. It’s foolish to hope that this unhappy situation will change overnight, regardless of pressures from Washington. Even so, the Administration should make it unequivocally clear that greater respect for human rights is a firm condition for further improving relations with Beijing. Until now the Administration has softened its line, backing away from restrictions imposed on China after the June, 1989, repression.

For its part, Beijing is taking advantage of the world’s preoccupation with the Persian Gulf crisis to gingerly step back onto the international scene. As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, it has been pragmatic and responsible in supporting most resolutions on Iraq.

It abstained on the latest one authorizing the possible use of military force. But it could have vetoed it, putting the United States in an embarrassing political position. There was a reward, of course. The World Bank recently resumed lending, which was suspended after the demonstrations. And President Bush’s recent session with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen is his highest-level exchange with a Chinese official since Tian An Men Square.

Afterwards, Qian disturbingly wrote of victory with no concessions in a Communist Party publication: “China was not forced to submit, nor was it isolated. There are still some Americans making indiscreet remarks about other countries’ internal affairs. We hope they will clearly see that although it gives us some difficulties if they cause trouble for China, it also hurts American interests.” Let’s hope he doesn’t take that hard line in the private talks with Schifter.