Our archaic, counterproductive and ill-conceived approach toward Cuba is a perfect model for what we should not do in China. Our isolationist policy, which I have long argued against, has fallen hardest on everyday Cubans. Nothing has done more to perpetuate Castro s grip on power, and the denial of basic freedoms there, than our embargo. These are the same hard-liners who are refusing to negotiate with the Dalai Lama on Tibet and who would settle differences with Taiwan by force. Which brings me to the issue of national security.
China is an emerging military power, with a small but growing capability to deliver nuclear arms.
It has an increasing influence in Asia, which military experts have identified as the most likely arena for future conflict. Passage of PNTR and China s accession to the WTO offer important opportunities to increase China s stake in global security and stability and to help ensure that over the long term China becomes our competitor and not our adversary. We do not open our country to more Chinese products. Rather, we simply maintain the present access to our economy that China already enjoys. It is important to remember that if Congress rejects PNTR, other countries will continue to trade with China.