Christopher Won’t Meet China Dissidents

Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Thursday that he has no plans to meet with any political dissidents when he visits Beijing this weekend, and one of his top aides hinted that Chinese officials may have asked the secretary not to do so.

A week ago, the Chinese government rounded up several prominent dissidents, including Wei Jingsheng, the country’s best-known advocate of democracy. Wei was subsequently freed. There had been speculation that he or some other Chinese dissidents would meet with Christopher during the secretary’s visit to Beijing, which starts tonight.

By scuttling such a meeting, the Chinese government would keep the dissidents out of the spotlight and prevent them from gaining a platform from which to disseminate their views. Chinese leaders would also be able to maintain the outward appearance of unity and consensus that, even in times of internal struggle, they try to present to the world.

Asked at a news conference in Tokyo whether he will see any advocates of democracy during his Beijing trip, Christopher carefully replied, “I don’t have any plans to do so at the present time.” Several aides went further, saying no such meeting is in the works.

Also Thursday, Chinese dissidents issued statements on human rights and announced the formation of a labor union.