Wei Jingsheng

Re “U.S. Effort Led China to Release Dissident,” Nov. 17: One down, 8 million to go. That’s the meaning of the expulsion of Chinese freedom advocate Wei Jingsheng. The Chinese government’s forced labor system of 1,100 factories still incarcerates 8 million-plus humans. None has been released, or is likely to be released in the near future.

If anyone is inclined to mistake the release of Wei Jingsheng for a quantum leap for freedom in China, just consider that he’s not in China, he’s not free to pursue his cause in China and he’s not likely to be allowed to return to China.

CARL OLSON

Woodland Hills

Tom Plate’s Nov. 18 column, “Beijing Steps Toward Middle Ground,” is disturbing. Criticism of China is not demagoguery. For people in China, especially those in Tibet and outer areas, suffering from the ruthless Beijing regime, outside criticism offers the only glimpse of hope.

I agree that China cannot be changed by outside forces significantly; however, why should we honor their leaders with state visits and all the hoopla? If we stoop low to have trade, why don’t we just keep a low profile; it is nothing to be so proud of. The Chinese economic system is a giant state monopoly. Our antitrust law would be a laughingstock in China.

Wei’s release does nothing to stop the suffering of Tibetan and other people. It would not stop China from threatening Taiwan with force. Has Plate ever thought about the possibility that dealing with a huge country with 4,000 years of miserable history would change us? The long history of China has been characterized by corruption, brutality, stagnation and rigid conformity. There were no human rights, entrepreneurship and technological development which characterized Western development. With a doctrine of combining dictatorship with blind devotion to economic growth as advocated by Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and like-minded dictators from all over Asia gaining some credibility, I find the preaching of moderation unwarranted.

MILTON CHEN PhD

Professor, San Diego State