March 16, 2000

The China Trade Impact II: The Real Story

Will increased trade with China really encourage democratic reforms?

Not according to Harry Wu, a human rights activist expelled from China. Here’s what he said in his testimony before the U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission:

Increased trade will not lead to democratic reforms in China, but will hinder them.

Our relations with China are based on the false idea that the stability of the Chinese communist party is necessary for successful political and economic relations with China, and for stability in Asia and international peace in general.

Over the last week, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army obtained a Russian-built missile destroyer, and reports are that they will acquire a second destroyer by the year’s end.

Where did the Chinese Communist government obtain the hard currency to purchase these battleships and pay the Soviet weapons experts? This is the same country that owes many of its employees in its state-owned enterprises months and months of back pay. The same country that is the largest recipient of aid from the World Bank.

Yet despite the fact that the Chinese Communists are building up their navy and buying Russian battleships, one of the most popular theories in politics today is that the best way to promote democracy and improve human rights in a communist country like China is to increase investment in that country and build up trade. To me, this strategy is as realistic as convincing a tiger to become a vegetarian.

Everyday in China, people are making demands like those made at Tiananmen Square in 1989. Whether they are dissidents who fight for freedom of speech, or farmers who are tired of corrupt local officials, there is a broad discontent among the people of China today. Listening to these people would be a way to bring about stability.

It is tragic that this regime refuses to recognize the basic fact that democracy is the best way to stability.

- Harry Wu, was a student activist in 1960, was imprisoned for 19 years in a Chinese Gulag. Today he is a Research fellow at Stanford University.

Write to your Congressperson and Senators. Tell them: Don’t give up U.S. political leverage over China, Vote no on Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for China.