A thriving middle class will do far more to promote civil society than economic penalties. A policy of economic sanctions will only retard the emergence of what it is we seek. It is interesting that this hearing is taking place just days after China's president spoke to the Communist Party Congress in Beijing and indicated his commitment to increasing private ownership of a large percentage of China's state-owned industrial enterprises. This is to be welcomed, as it will over time bring about changes that will make it less difficult for China to enter the World Trade Organization and more likely that the Communist Party will see its power and control reduced. Third, I worry over the political signal this legislation sends.
China is an emerging power.
Moreover, there is a widespread sentiment throughout China that the United States stands in its way, that it is U.S. policy to somehow deny China its rightful place in the world. Consistent with the above, I would take exceptions to several of the proposed sanctions in the legislation. Those that would deny visas to Chinese government officials believed to be guilty of specified human rights violations are unlikely to further U.S. objectives. Where we have differences, we should use the opportunity created by meetings to make our case. This relationship would benefit from greater interaction, and Chinese officials need more exposure to American and Western culture and thinking, not less.