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November 12, 1999 MEMORANDUM
TO: OPINION
LEADERS FROM:
WILLIAM KRISTOL SUBJECT: China We want to draw your
attention to a speech given today by presidential candidate Steve Forbes
at the Nixon Library. In it, Forbes offers the boldest analysis of any
of the presidential candidates so far of the challenge posed by China
to the United States and the appropriate American response. Here are a
few highlights: “No More Business
as Usual” “President Clinton
calls his China policy ‘constructive engagement.’ I call it
a study in confusion and mixed signals, often degenerating into appeasement....If
the next U.S. administration continues this drift and zigzagging, our
children and grandchildren will ultimately pay the price....It is time
to set a new course for American foreign policy in Asia....No more business
as usual.” “My policy will
sound confrontational to official Chinese ears. In truth, it is less confrontational
and less dangerous than hiding our convictions and commitments behind
a fog of appeasing rhetoric.” “I realize...I
am offending the Chinese stricture against -- in their words -- interference
in their internal affairs.” I might be accused of “espousing
cultural imperialism. I am not. I am advocating the peaceful application
of the same universal principles that Ronald Reagan applied to the peoples
of the former Soviet Union.” “China has nothing
to fear from accepting freedom, and everything to gain. America has nothing
to fear from advancing freedom, and everything to gain.” Benchmarks “As President
I will make clear to China the rules of engagment. I will also set clear
benchmarks to gauge China’s seriousness about a positive relationship
with United States. For example:” On proliferation:
China must “stop selling weapons of mass destruction to rogue nations.” On ballistic missile
defenses: China “must drop its opposition to” deployment of
“defense systems since they pose no threat to China.” On civil rights in
China: China “must stop religious persecution and immediately begin
releasing political and religious prisoners.” Trade, Security
and American Power “We may very
well need to revoke MFN. But first we need a real China policy, a tough
China policy....And we need to begin using the economic and diplomatic
tools at our disposal to effect real change in China: tough sanctions
on Chinese military-owned companies, tough sanctions on Chinese companies
using slave labor, tough sanctions on Chinese companies trafficking in
weapons of mass destruction, and continuous, high-profile condemnations
of Chinese human rights abuses in every international forum possible.” “As President...I
will put China’s leaders on notice: We want a peaceful and constructive
relationship with you. But you must understand the rules of engagement.
And if you violate them...I will not hesitate to for one moment to revoke
Most Favored Nation trade status. I will never sacrifice American security
or values on the altar of trade.” “America is the
world's only economic superpower, and it's ridiculous to take such a weak
position with an emerging rival.” “America must
be absolutely committed to remain the premier military power in the Pacific...[W]e
will strengthen our alliances with key countries in the region to counterbalance
the Chinese threat.” Taiwan “We will make
it clear that we will defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack. As President,
I will sign the bipartisan Taiwan Security Enhancement Act offered by
Senator Jesse Helms and Senator Robert Torricelli.” “Taiwan should
be permitted entrance into the community of world commerce. They have
made extraordinary progress in moving toward free markets and free elections
and they should be rewarded for it....Yes to Taiwan in the WTO. No to
China. Beijing hasn't earned it, and we shouldn't give it. Period.”
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