While Sec. Clinton didn't push human rights in discussions with China during her visit this week, the State department's human rights report was hard hitting as ever. Malcom Moore covers China's response: pointing out that we're not so perfect either (Hat Tip: Small Wars Journal)
They cover a range of issues, not just the old positive versus negative freedoms but our treatment of prisoners, our actions in Iraq, etc. Everything in the article seemed like a fair point. I'm not sure about that arm sales number, but I think that might be a typo in the article. However, we have nothing to fear from such attack. There's nothing that's said in the criticism that isn't shouted from the rooftops tops in the U.S.
Whenever China throws out such critiques, we should use the opportunity to engage in honest dialogue. Our case is strengthened by admitting that we aren't perfect. We can invite Chinese officials to tour our prisons, attend some of our discussions on improving treatment of prisoners, etc.
The U.S. government always says we want to engage in a human rights dialogue; we should put that description into action and treat this as a legitimate Chinese response.
Comments