In the Green Room: China Aid President Bob Fu

Nick Zahn / November 16, 2009

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8KQnFVuoqQ[/youtube],

In his disappointing debut in Shanghai, China, President Obama made every effort to avoid offending those who practice an offensive system that actively represses dissent. Now, as the president visits Beijing, it is even more important that he strongly assert the importance of adhering to the universal principles essential to an open, civil society.

This next stop offers a critical opportunity to convey in resolute fashion that, in addition to American security interests and a policy of free trade, individual liberty, equality, and the rule of law are fundamental freedoms that Americans want to see promoted in Asia broadly, and specifically in China. This is not an American cultural preference, but is an eternal truth applicable to all societies.

Leadership often requires one to say things that may cause discomfort. But 400 Chinese – many of whom are presently in China – recently found the courage to do so in a recent letter to President Obama requesting that he “…unequivocally re-state America’s human rights policy to the Chinese leaders, as well as to the Chinese people, during your November visit, and emphasize that continued improvement of US-China relations depends on China’s progress on human rights…”

The need for the president to do so is further explained: (more…)