TEXT: ALBRIGHT EDITORIAL ON U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
("U.S., China can and will continue to work together")Washington -- Despite differences, the United States and China can and will continue to work together to meet the challenges both face, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
In an opinion piece for Diario Las Americas in Miami July 5, Albright wrote: "President Clinton and members of the Administration have pressed for more progress on nuclear nonproliferation, free trade, respect for human rights, religious freedom, and environmental protections. On all those issues, China has taken steps, both small and large, in the right direction. The United States will continue working with China so that the power of this most populous, economically expanding nation is channeled toward creating a peaceful, secure, and prosperous world. If such a world is to be realized, China must be a full participant and cooperating partner in shaping the future."
Following is the official text of Albright's editorial:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release July 5, 1998Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
Op Ed for Diario Las AmericasMiami, Florida
July 5, 1998The United States and China
Over the past two weeks, I accompanied President Clinton on his successful trip to China. While in China from June 25 to July 3, we met with President Jiang Zemin and other Chinese leaders to discuss issues of common interest, how we can move forward, and those issues on which we continue to disagree. Our nine-plus days of travel into the Chinese provinces allowed us to meet Chinese citizens and observe political, social, and economic developments outside of the capital city.
It is important for all of us to better understand what is actually happening in China. In recent years, China has changed significantly, and those changes are evident in Chinese cities, towns, and villages. A great deal of discussion is underway in China about the rule of law; there is a vigorous program of village elections; more and more people are starting to think about environmental problems; and, of course, astonishing economic progress has created a more developed and more prosperous society.
Perhaps the most stunning example of the great changes underway in China is the new openness we experienced. President Clinton and President Jiang held an unprecedented televised debate and for seventy minutes discussed their views on many of the important issues on which we disagree -- the 1989 killing of protesters in Tiananmen Square, Chinese exile of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and human rights. The debate was followed by a nation-wide broadcast of President Clinton's speech at Beijing University on a range of important issues, including personal freedom and human rights. The Chinese have never before extended such public exposure to the views of the leader of another nation.
The importance of China, with nearly one-fourth of the world's population and the world's third largest economy, cannot be exaggerated. China is a nuclear power and a member of the United Nations Security Council. When we consider some of the most pressing regional and global problems -- the Asian financial crisis, border disputes, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global warming and environmental issues -- China's response is of crucial importance. The manner in which the United States engages China now and in the future will influence whether China becomes a constructive participant in the international arena.
The United States has adopted a clear policy toward China, one that advances our interests and values. Our policy of engagement with China is based on our desire to see the emergence of a great, stable, open, and nonaggressive China. We seek a China that embraces universally recognized human rights and global norms of conduct and one that works with us to build a secure international order.
While in China, President Clinton furthered the process of strategic dialogue begun when President Jiang visited the United States last October. This dialogue is designed to identify areas where the United States and China have shared interests and can take concrete steps to advance those interests. It is also designed to permit full and frank discussion of subjects on which U.S. and Chinese leaders do not agree, such as on the fundamental importance of political liberty and respect for basic human rights.
United States policy toward China has already produced positive results. After decades of rejection, China has joined international efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. China has signed several important international agreements limiting or banning particular types of weapons and agreed to stop assisting development of Pakistan's and Iran's nuclear programs. China joined the United States and other nations in condemning the recent nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan and has worked very closely with the U.S. to help defuse resulting tensions in South Asia. China has also helped to foster peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by working with us to convince North Korea to freeze its nuclear program and, participating with the United States at the Four Party Talks, to advance reconciliation between the North and South Korea. Cooperative efforts are underway between U.S. and Chinese law- enforcement officials to combat international drug trafficking, organized crime, counterfeiting, and alien smuggling. In the coming weeks, the Drug Enforcement Agency will open its first office in China. China is beginning to work with the United States to address international environmental problems.
All those issues reflect common interests shared by the United States and China and demonstrate that progress toward resolution of significant global and regional problems can occur when the United States and China agree to cooperate. Although we have come a long way, there is still much to do in stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction, promoting environmental protections, and fostering peace and security. Other issues are yet to be fully addressed, particularly those involving greater protection of political freedom, human rights, religious freedom, and economic liberalization throughout China. In our meetings with Chinese leaders, we discussed those issues and we will continue to do so.
Despite our differences, the United States and China can and will continue to work together to meet the challenges we face. President Clinton and members of the Administration have pressed for more progress on nuclear nonproliferation, free trade, respect for human rights, religious freedom, and environmental protections. On all those issues, China has taken steps, both small and large, in the right direction. The United States will continue working with China so that the power of this most populous, economically expanding nation is channeled toward creating a peaceful, secure, and prosperous world. If such a world is to be realized, China must be a full participant and cooperating partner in shaping the future.
(end text)
Return to The United States and China.
Return to USIA International Home Page.