But unless that begins to happen, we owe it to ourselves to seek to encourage the emerging giant into a cooperative approach. In the months ahead, an exceptional opportunity exists for exploring the prospects of coexistence in the preparations for the Clinton-Jiang summit and, even more, at the summit itself. For us, the key issues are trade, nonproliferation and human rights. Success in dealing with the first two items depends on the ability to establish equitable rules for trade and enforceable rules for preventing the spread of nuclear and missile technology. This would enable China to enter the World Trade Organization and to address American concerns about the spread of advanced technology into irresponsible hands.
Human rights have a legitimate, indeed inevitable, place on the Sino-American agenda.
American concern on this subject reflects the kind of people we are. At the same time, the subject should be brought into a proper relationship with other objectives in our relations with China and with respect for China's many great historical achievements. For China, the potential flash points are Hong Kong and Taiwan. Americans are concerned that the autonomous status of Hong Kong represents a leap into the unknown. But to most Chinese, and not only supporters of Beijing, Hong Kong was always a symbol of a humiliating colonialism imposed on an impotent China 150 years ago.