US-China Strategic Dialogue Ends with Human Rights Friction

The fourth round of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue was held in Beijing.

Cabinet members of both countries discussed a wide range of topics including diplomacy, security and economics. After which they indicated in a joint statement that they plan “to build a new model of bilateral relations in the 21st century.”

The deeply economically interdependent nations not only reaffirmed their responsibility towards the global economy, but also for their role in supporting international peace and stability.

However, just prior to the meeting, China’s blind human rights activist, Chen Guangcheng, ran to the U.S. embassy.

Even during the meeting, one could sense that both sides were desperately trying to extinguish the incident and keep it from affecting bilateral relations. Aside from the obvious political and military contentions, the incident called attention to the potentially fiery issue of human rights that is present in US-China relations.

It seems as if China will allow Mr. Chen to leave the country to study abroad, most likely in the United States.

China wants Mr. Chen, who has become a symbol for human rights, to leave the country quickly to avoid empowering any democratic movements.

　

The United States and China agreed to a hold human rights dialogue this summer. Considering that any reference to Chinese human rights is regarded as “foreign intervention,” it is unlikely that Beijing will change their stance on the issue. The United States, however, must not compromise on human rights. They should continue to appeal for improvement in a steady and sober manner.

The human rights issue overshadowed what was intended to be the focus of the meeting: North Korea’s nuclear tests, the state of Peninsular relations and the Iranian nuclear issue. Although the issue of human rights was taken up as a topic of discussion, the specifics of the discussion have not been made public.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two states should take the initiative in preventing further North Korean nuclear tests.

It was decided at this meeting that talks on maritime security will be held this fall. They also agreed to hold talks on the Asia-Pacific region later this year.

In regards to the South China Sea, there is a wide gap between the “freedom of navigation,’” as advocated by the US and China’s claim that the area is a “core national interest.” Both sides must mitigate each others suspicions through a succession of dialogues.

In economic issues, both sides agreed to resume negotiations on an investment agreement. Points of agreement were not few, as the U.S. agreed to consider Beijing’s request for lowered restrictions on high-tech exports to China. It can be said that the talks have succeeded in reducing economic tensions on this one issue.

Japan-China talks, however, owing to Japan’s domestic politics and Beijing’s actions in the Senkaku Islands, have not been held since the cabinet-level economics meeting in 2010. Dialogue must be reopened and expanded soon.