The debate over engagement Over the past few years, the United States has engaged in a major debate over U.S. policy toward China. Between those who have viewed China as a potential or actual enemy, and those who have believed we should try to identify common interests and work together with China toward shared goals. That debate is now largely behind us. The proponents of engagement have won. Engagement is neither appeasement, nor indulgence, nor ignoring our differences, nor avoiding confrontation.
Engagement means working actively to resolve our differences with China.
Our engagement with China has helped strengthen the hands of China's moderate reformist leaders, President Jiang Zemin and Prime Minister Zhu Rongji. Were we to adopt a harder line towards China, more conservative Chinese leaders might assume greater power. Engagement with China has encouraged significant improvements in the lives of literally hundreds of millions of Chinese. Exposure to the outside world and the accompanying exchange of goods, ideas, and people has brought increased openness, social mobility, and personal opportunities to the Chinese people. Engagement has allowed American enterprises to export billions of dollars of goods to China, while we use our trade laws to attack Chinese trade barriers.