The harsh sentence underscores the failure of vacillating U.S. policy toward China, and redoubles the stakes on Secretary State Warren Christopher's visit this month. In earlier showdowns, the Clinton administration backed down in linking trade with Chinese human rights improvements. China seized upon that weakness, rounding up dissident leaders and cracking down hard on opposition. Now it's time to ignore the apologists for China's dictators, and insist upon human rights improvements. Using those enticements, Christopher must return with concrete gains, such as a release of political prisoners, or opening China's vast prison system to outside observers.
China dearly wants greater foreign acceptance.
Without change, it ought to face increasing opposition to any more privileges from the world community.