Toughen our stance toward Beijing

April 20, 2006

I STRONGLY disagree with the Globe editorial ''Dealing With China." Instead of calling for greater cooperation and understanding between the United States and China, the Globe should be advocating a tougher stance and greater vigilance toward China. When China's president, Hu Jintao, visits the White House today he will try to persuade President Bush that his country is not a threat and that China is a crucial ally of the US. However, China has done nothing to persuade the US that it should be treated as an equal partner in geopolitical cooperation. Instead, China has continued to persecute the Tibetans, conduct an aggressive military buildup directed against Taiwan, and crack down on Chinese democracy activists. The list goes on.

The US may reap some benefits by pursuing a ''strategic partnership" with China, but the price for Chinese cooperation far outweighs the benefits. Such an arrangement would come at the expense of small American business owners, Tibetans, and Taiwanese people, among countless others.

EVA TSENG
Newton