U.S. Relations With China

The increase in the budget for Radio Free Asia to $40 million from the current level of $10 million (Oct. 1) by Speaker Newt Gingrich and House Republican leaders represents the old Cold War mentality.

I liked the suggestions made by Tom Plate (Commentary, Sept. 30), when he recommends that the time and money will be well spent if Americans in key positions, such as U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, “can convince Americans of the importance of China.”

Almost a quarter of the world’s people live in China, and any land war with China can be easily ruled out based on population alone. The $40 million of taxpayers’ money should instead be assigned to the Department of State for allowing a much needed dialogue with China.

AKHTAR H. EMON

Rancho Palos Verdes

* Plate says, “There’s no reason why U.S. relations with the Chinese can’t be just as warm as those with, say, the French.” May I suggest a few?

* The French have not recently murdered anyone for holding a peaceful political demonstration.

* The French have the rule of law, a free press and a representative democracy with protections for the individual.

* The French do not assert sovereignty over former provinces that broke away before their current republic was even established.

* The French are not the world leaders in executions.

* The authorities in France do not shout at every opportunity that the very idea of individual liberty is foreign to “French values.”

I agree with Plate in one respect: If we can, we should strive to have warm relations with the Chinese people. Not, however, with the Chinese government.

MIKE OLIVER

Los Angeles