nly a couple of days after President Bush returned from his failed visit to Latin America, he's taken wings for Japan, South Korea, China and Mongolia. Why would he include Mongolia? Because, lest we forget, they have provided 131 soldiers to help in our war in Iraq. Our hope, of far greater significance, is that the time the President is spending in China can be productive. We have this strained relationship with the rapidly growing economy in a nation of 1.3 billion people. There are many who are convinced and concerned that China's rapid economic expansion poses an inevitable threat to the United States. A line in a recent lead editorial in the New York Times put it in a nutshell, "For the last year, America's love-hate relationship with China has been more hate, less love." This summer the Congress blocked a Chinese government-owned company, Cnooc, from buying Unocal. Very recently the textile industry got DC to strike a deal with China which will limit the import of bras and socks. Days ago a bipartisan advisory group delivered a report to Congress that criticized China's trade practices and endorsed imposing sanctions... unless Beijing takes significant steps to let its currency move in accord with market forces. It's too big a nation... a global power... with which to play the game of trade sanctions. Let's hope the President's touring team has impressive proposals to put on the table so that, for example, they can join us in putting pressure on the corrupt Sudanese government. Maybe the talks with China's leader, President Hu Jintao, will result in the leadership reversing itself and help us to get imposed United Nations economic sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program.
There is so much at stake in this presidential journey to north-east Asia. Over and above the pressing issues such as North Korea, avian 'flu and currency re-alignment, there is the need to ensure a constructive relationship between Japan, China and the U.S. If leaders are wise, then the 21st century could produce a more peaceful east Asia than during the 20th century.
Maybe, this time, the Bush administration can get it right ...maybe.