The human rights situation cannot improve overnight. Instead of playing Big Brother, America and other powers must support China's economic development. They have finally allowed us to join the World Trade Organization. This is a good gesture. Things like this will help China's economy, and with the prosperity that follows development, human rights will come to be respected more than they are today.
Democracy is an old political question.
The May 4th movement of 1919 was the beginning of a struggle that continues today. Before 1949, everyone including MaoTse-tung, wanted democracy for China. Mao even promised the people that he would build a democratic state, but he did not keep his promise. After liberation, the first CCP administration had many members of rival parties, however they were all won over to the CCP and their powers were greatly reduced. In the 1980s, China developed rapidly.