International Law

Should the West Fear China? (or should we all just fear columnists?)

By Stan

Simon Winchester’s recent LA Times column, at first glance, is a decent and thoughtful piece about China’s domestic security concerns (in the run-up to the 6/4 anniversary) and the country’s designs on the rest of the world.

The title of the piece, “Is There Anything To Fear From China?” is provocative, to be sure, but the content is fairly well balanced.

I then read it a second time and realized that not only is it balanced, it is also entirely devoid of a conclusion. Consider this final passage:

Now, with an almost cast-iron guarantee of domestic tranquillity at home, how best can China, in a fickle and dangerous world, guarantee a lasting peace abroad? I suspect that China will work that out, without haste. AndI imagine China will accomplish it, without fear. Just as it has so adroitly managed to achieve what will most probably be a lasting peace at home.

What’s the point here? Near as I can tell, the article can be summed up by saying that the government did something that may/may not have been bad in 1989, people do not talk about it, there is a trade-off here between economic growth and prosperity vs. individual rights, and that China is now looking abroad as its interests move beyond its borders.

First, I think everyone already knew all that to begin with. Second, the author at least should have had the balls to say something about 6/4, critical or otherwise. There are limits to being “fair and balanced.” Third, I think the point of the article concerned China’s foreign policy — so is it likely to be positive for the rest of the world or negative? Express a *@^$ opinion, it’s an Op/Ed!

“China will work that out” and “China will accomplish it” — gimme a break.

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Full post as published by China Hearsay on June 02, 2009 (boomark / email).