Hillary Clinton's visit to Beijing
On Friday, Hillary Clinton comes to Beijing for talks with China's leaders. Hers is the first visit to China from a senior member of the Obama Administration. Many are interested to see whether or not Mrs Clinton will publically address the subject of human rights while she's here.
In the past, US officials have often preferred to speak softly (in public at least) during their visits in order to avoid embarrassing their hosts. They save their harsher words for before and after their trips. President Bush did this last August when he delivered a critical speech on China from Thailand, just before he arrived on Chinese soil to watch the Olympics.
But Mrs Clinton has a precedent to follow. It is her own.
In September 1995, during her husband Bill Clinton's first term of office, she came to Beijing. She was the main speaker at the Fourth World Conference on Women. Mrs Clinton delivered a 20 minute speech (you can listen to it here) in which she made some pretty direct statements:
"Both women and men are entitled to a range of protections and personal freedoms from the right of personal security to the right to determine freely the number and spacing of the children they bear [applause]. No one should be forced to remain silent for fear of religious or political persecution, arrest, abuse or torture."
There was even a direct rebuke:
"It is indefensible that many women in non-governmental organisations who wished to participate in this conference have not been able to attend - or have been prohibited from fully taking part."
But now Mrs Clinton has a new job - having traded the post of first lady for secretary of state. It's not clear whether or not this will mean a change of tone when she gets to China. But one group of human rights organisations has just sent her a letter reminding her of some of the comments she made in Beijing in 1995.
Aside from human rights, there's plenty for Hillary Clinton to discuss when she meets China's leaders.
1) The Economy
China and America are stuck together on this one. China's economic growth has been fuelled by its exports - the US is its biggest export market. So, in order to keep going, China needs Americans to keep buying. But the US has a few complaints. The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner recently accused China of "currency manipulation" - of keeping the value of the Rmb artificially low in order to gain an advantage over its competitors. China denies this charge and points out that the Rmb has appreciated 21% since China partially floated its currency in 2005.
2) Climate Change
Recent figures show that China has overtaken the US as the world's largest single producer of carbon emissions. In December, the world will go to Copenhagen to negotiate a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. Any global climate change deal which does not address China won't last all that long. But China says that it cannot accept a cap on its emissions, since it's still a developing country. China also points out that - per capita - Chinese people are responsible for about one-sixth of the amount of carbon emissions produced by each American. It's something to talk about with the US Special Envoy for Climate Change, Todd Stern, who's coming to Beijing with Mrs Clinton.
3) North Korea
Since 2003, Beijing has hosted six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The US has taken part in these discussions along with Japan, Russia, South Korea and North Korea itself. Many believe that China has more influence on the regime in Pyongyang than any other country. So, the road to a nuclear deal with North Korea may begin in Beijing.
There are other issues as well. The US military says that it's hoping to restart high-level military exchanges with China. These ties were broken off last October after the US sold arms to Taiwan.
I'll be covering Mrs Clinton's visit amid the Beijing snow.
I’m 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~43~RS~)
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What you are saying sounds like human rights are the most important topic Hillary is going to talk about. You probably should have suggested Tibet as an even more critical topic.
The birth control Hillary addressed is definitely a human rights abuse. But without it, the west would have to unhappily see more carbon emissions from China.
Is it the Chinese people's human rights to produce the same amount of carbon emissions per capita as the americans and europeans? This is a question that I haven't got an answer.
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China is such an important power. Mrs Clinton knows the importance of good relations with China. She would certainly have taken a leaf out of Henry Kissinger's bookThere are just so many perspectives! Mrs Clinton is extremely well-versed in China's human rights record in Tibet.She also understands the need to cultivate healthy relations with the Chinese rather than talking down to them which does not serve any purpose at all. So her mission will be a deft balance to bring the Chinese on-board on a whole raft of issues. She knows the Chinese would like to cultivate better trade relations and here again she needs to be extremely wary. The Chinese should not be allowed to dump their goods at rock-bottom prices. She realises that North Korea is the villain of the piece and China has considerable clout over the North Korean regime. So it will be a real balancing-act. But she is a consummate Secretary of State with her facts at her finger-tips and she should come out of the whirlwind trip smelling of roses.
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That is right, zickyyy. Human right is only an excuse of western countries to press China. Behind that is blooding profit of their own. But, this also works on China too. We also blame them for other excuse. There is no shame for this, just dirty politics.
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Oh the Chinese government would happily abolish the one-child policy--- if the rest of the world could accommodate into their countries the extra 400+ million Chinese that would be born.
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James,
1. There is NO North Korea Issue.
N Korea is a foot solder of CCP in Sino-US chess board. N Korea will not bark without the tacit support of senior Chinese leadership. It barks now because CCP wants to checkmate Obama's foreign policy, to test what he is made of.
2. There is NO climate change issue.
Obama embraces "global warming" buzz word because he realises that clean energy could be an effective weapon to blackmail China - so called "Green Blackmail", to exchange for more Chinese $$$, and China's commitment to keep subscribing US debts.
3. There is NO the economy issue.
US is bankrupt, literally. US has no leverage on China for the moment on economy. Artificially low RMB ? Give me a break. It's lucky that China doesn't depreciate her currency as everybody else does now. Instead, US treasury secretary should thank China for her "bank of last resort" support in this regards.
4. There is no human rights issue,unfortunately.
Clinton has no leverage currently to press CCP on the issue, except "raising the topic" at tea table for a minute or two.
5. There is only ONE issue for Clinton on this trip. Sadly, James, it seems that you even doesn't got a clue thus not mentioning it at all.
Ms. Clinton's real and sole porpose of her Asia trip is acting as the most senior "postman" possible, sending over Obama's near trillion dollar bailout bill to Chinese politburo, asking China to write a cheque with a signiture.
OK?
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Hillary Clinton's world wind diplomatic tour only proves one thing for me at this time: TALK IS CHEAP! She can visit China and scold them for their Human Rights abuses, but she had better look closer to home. We still have more people incarserated than any other FREE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
The only speech I will be interested in is the speech she will make from the Middle East because right now we are living on a knife's edge. Will she as a diplomat still stand united with our "ally" like the Bush Administration Secretary of State did. Or will she take a more even handed view. It up to her. But one must remember 2016 is coming and she is running-running.
Globalism and its faults have been shown. You cannot depend on the Great Game to be maintained by Hegemony. It requires diplomacy. Too much one-sidedness in the Middle East will recreate a Boer dominated Status and will this hold at The End of History?
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I think women in China enjoy more rights than woman in Europe. The only restricting factor for women in China is culture which cannot be change overnight. So to speak the culture restriction against woman in europe is even worse, just that it is sweep under the carpet.
As for human rights, China is on the right path. You cannot expect changes overnight. The reason why US or any politician speak against china every now and than is because of the home crowd that are normally misinformed by media like BBC / FOX / CNN.
As climate, US is the biggest producer for years. Nothing is done. China per capita pollutant is still way behind all the developed countries. Do you mean China must forgo economy while countries like US ignore the climate.
As usual the one sidedness of facts in the article is very glaring.
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I'm feeling curious:
Just how concerned are you about the human rights conditions in China which you have no genuine intention to improve?
Or maybe you have a better plan that not only works for you but works in China as well?
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A representative from the world's worst human rights abuser is coming to point their fingers at China. Human rights starts with the rights to live. Approximately 1 million Iraqies and thousands of Americans had their rights to live taken away from them because of the war USA imposed on them. Second, a person should have the basic rights to keep his/hers own limbs and eyes, ears. The USA has liberated many body parts from both millions of Iraqies and tens of thousands of Americans.
The one holds the banner of human rights, religion, freedom, democracy up so high has the number of death caused by Saddam but they will never want to know how many death, injuries, lost of property and livehood they are directly or indirectly causing through their wars, sanctions, and their involvement to destablise many parts of the world.
It is the western journalists who creat a high moral ground for the worst human rights abuser.
Yes, freedom of speech, who has it in this world?
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I sincerely hope that Mrs Hillary Clinton should demonstrate some sensitivities and basic mannerism not to raise the issue of human rights and tibet during her visit in China.
You don't embarrass the host when you are invited as guest to the families in any Chinese societies. Isn't the West practising and preaching this?
In my opinion, the focus of her visit should be on the deteriorating world econmy. That should be taken as the top priority of her visit. The US is talking about the stimulus package to help the ailing economy and to create tens of millions of jobs for her own people, that should be the focus of the US politicians. Mind your own business and keep away from the internal affairs of other countries, especially huge country like China which is not so easy to manage. The internal complexed problems of the Chinese should be resolved by her own people be it economic or political.
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Agreed with Zickyyy
I hereby repeat your questions.
Is it the Chinese people's human rights to produce the same amount of carbon emissions per capita as the americans and europeans?
Wait and see, one day India's population and carbon emission will overtake China and the reaction from the west will be interesting.
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James, yes, the 3 points you listed at the bottom is just what Mrs Cliton want to adress most.
Don't mention human right issue every time. I don't think our Chinese human right is that bad although there is still a big gap between the rich and the poor (but it's still true in many rich western countries and China's difficulty is much harder with so large population).
I know the human right here you mentioned acctually means Tibetan issue. Tibetans are part of Chinese and they, together with the other 54 minorities, enjoy much better priority than Han Chinese(Han Chinese never thought it's unfair). As long as they don't break the law, they can live peacefully as normal Chinese citizens and no one will bother them. Probably, many Tibetans are poor but it's not just Tibetans, but including many Chinese in central & western China or even in some developed areas. It's just a big gap that needs Chinese government to narrow, but it needs time and we've all seen the improvement.
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I'm not rich either and I had to work hard every day to keep my life, but I have no complaits on our government. That's just life. Most people have to work hard for life like me, not waiting for government's help. There's nothing to do with human rights in Tibet but some people try to break away, which is unbearable for every countries in the world.
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Now I do not feel good about this. President Jintao and Chinese Citizens, please do not judge all American's on this ladies behavior.
I really wish this lady would learn her place. She is not above the dignity or rules of other countries, when she visits them.
I got a great idea. President Jintao, if she breaks a rule set before her in China, kick her out and ban her from ever coming back, demand a responsible emmisary to talk too.
Please do not put up with her. I personally think none of Obama's staff including himself has detailed plans on how to run the US. So technically, they are pretty scared right now with a job, and no experience in them.
My Dear Chinese Friends, most I wish you great days, and good times. For now I must go. Don't put up with any lack of respect from this lady, and trust me she will disrespect you eventually.
.
DarkDragen
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Hillary Clinton as US SOS is on very thin ice as far as China is because China is the the US bankers that hold a stake of cards in term of some over $10 trillion US debt. China may have its own economical woes at present but at least it controls its own banking system as compared to the US privatized marred with flawed scheme used by the hedge fund mangers, derivative managers, private equity mangers, mortgage bankers, investment bankers and whole slew of others that have let the system run amok like a run way train with no driver.
Hillary's mission was to mostly listen, but the madam SOS has no diplomatic capacity or the demeanor of diplomacy nor the experience for it.
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Hilary visit to Beijing.
It is well known that to change a foreign country domestic policy, quite discussion away from the public acheive more then public statements. If it is for her own domestic consumption that's fine. No foreign government could appear to its own population to submit totally to a foreign power. Unlike the West, where popular vote is required during election time, China CCP does not required popular vote from its citizens.
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Wow, the irony ...
For a stateswoman who has built her career upon a foundation of women's rights, Clinton should know better.
The CPC has done more for women's lib. in Asian than any other organization or government. We still live in a world where laws in countries that the US calls "allies" (i.e. Saudi Arabia), strict Muslim laws prohibit women for all sorts of activities and benefits of citizenship. Yet one of the basic tenets of communism the equality of the sexes. Women have more freedoms in China than in most other places in the world. And yet China is where Clinton should make her stand on women's rights? The irrational basis for such a position simply astounds me!
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OK people, since the US always has hidden agenda of some sort when they talk against the Chinese goverment (it's the government, not even you people), let's forget about human rights in China, let's forget about the carbon emission - Chinese people enjoy more freedom than the Americans and China has no pollution problem. Full stop.
Let's not meddle in other people's internal affairs. We will keep shipping arms to Zimbabwe, how they are gonna use them is not our problem. We never meddle in other people's affairs - We don't see how the arms we sell to Zimbabwe have anything to do with the human rights situation there anyway. We do not and should not care.
What BBC and CNN or any other Western media say is biased anyway. As far as what's happening in China is concern, who knows better than CCTV ? Not even the people who know China best like CCTV have ever found any human rights problem, so you people should stop fabricating human rights news.
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Compared to four years ago, China will recognize US not as the only superpower but a power which China should not further weaken, because by doing that China will also be damaged. The difficult task for China now is to maintain US as a big consumer of China products but at the same time China can quickly develope other markets including the home market as substitutes so that China will not be that reliant on the US market in years to come. Hillary Clinton can say whatever she wants to, on human rights, on climate and so on. So long as it does not step on the psyche of the Chinese leaders I don't think they will mind.
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I have a different thought on the chinese slowdown than oldmanfore. I think it is actually better for the chinese economy as a whole to go through this crisis along with the US and others. Now, the exporters are realizing that their business is not bullet-proof. So, these people with money will start to reposition themselves into a more futuristic business. They are going to be thinking, "hey, my business based on export is not going to go on forever." Soon, you will see investors putting money into high-tech projects. As with every developed country, there's stages that you go through to become modernized. But, I think this crisis has only made China realize their path much quicker. It definately made investor wery about investing in traditional manufacturing based industries. So, I think this helped China to move up the ladder to development faster than what people otherwise would imagined.
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I couldn't agree more that it's a basic human right to keep ones limbs, eyes and ears which is why China's record on mining, factory and building site accidents is a national disgrace.
The roads in China are a death trap too but it's very hard to get statistics from the government on this score, so I can only go by the numerous Chinese people I've met who've been injured in car accidents.
If you want to see how well China is doing on the loss of property then go and watch 'Still Life' (Sanxia haoren) where millions have lost their homes with little compensation.
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"Yet one of the basic tenets of communism (sic) the equality of the sexes"
Yes certainly, but since CCP is only communist by name, I can't see how this holds any relevance.
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James,
I hope that Hillary Clinton visit to Beijing will be conductive and fruitful in the Diplomatic Circles....
~Dennis Junior~
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She should be ashamed of her willingness to sideline human rights and Tibet in pursuit of money. But unlike others I didn't expect too much of the new administration, just 'more of the same'.
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The Western Media always mention about potential social unrest in China in these global economic downturn.
But China already has a strong economic foundation needed for sustainable growth.
Take a look, they have a lot man power / human resourses, they also have abundant natural resourses and fertile land, and now they have a huge capital resourses.
Yes, Mrs Clinton came to China to ask money to fund their stimulus law but I believe Chinese people smart and wise enough about how and where to spend their money.
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