Our goal therefore must be to forge an Asian security order robust enough not to be shattered by tremors originating in China. What sort of policy will meet this requirement. First, it must be one understood and supported by the American people. Second, the policy must begin with our allies and friends, and not with Beijing. We must adopt a positive policy, developed through extensive preliminary consultation with other interested states.
Symbolic actions are important here.
Taiwan, after all, took the brave action of releasing political prisoners and allowing the exiles to return at a time when it had almost zero international status. Korea and the Philippines have shown the path to Asian democracy. China, which is far stronger, has shied away from any similar action. Not the democratizers. If these are firm, I am confident that Asia will be relatively peaceful.