The policy of isolating the Communist regime was relatively short, and since Nixon's re-opening of China, relations with the U.S. have steadily improved. Large numbers of Chinese are educated by U.S. universities and there are many other opportunities of social and cultural exchanges that seem to have emerged from the economic ties. The Basic Agreement that guarantees Hong Kong political freedom for 50 years, dating from the British handover in 1997, is a real test of Chinese intentions. Hong Kong maintains considerable autonomy and its citizens have one of the highest standards of living in the world. Taiwanese democracy Diplomatically, the Taiwan question is an even larger test than Hong Kong.
China wants Taiwan folded back into Chinese control.
But Taiwan's democratic institutions, like Hong Kong's, are a real sticking point. Included in this scenario are also the ability to assert a stronger leadership role in Asia, and possibly project military power with the development of a credible ocean-going navy. Human rights issues were set aside in order to pursue economic engagement. There was a brief utterance of workers' rights as a weak substitute for human rights, but this has all but subsided. However, a fair assessment of this U.S. policy choice requires considering the political liberalizations by the Chinese.