BOOK REVIEWU.S. PLOICY TOWARD CHINA

(Book name)

Reviewed by

NASIR IQBAL

U.S. PLOICY TOWARD CHINA AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE OF INTEREST GROUPS

• Introduction• Rising Influence After The Cold War• The MFN debate During The Bush

Administration• The MFN Debate During The Clinton

Administration• The Taiwan Crisis of 1995-1996• Convergence and Conflict IN U.S.-China

Policy1996-97 Contents:

MAIN THEME OF THE BOOK

Author his focused attention on the US. China relation since 1989 -98.Numbers of incidents occurs (1989-98 )in b/w U.S.-China relations specially :

Tiananmen incident (1989). End of Cold War (1991). 1992 U.S. election. Interest Groups and their role in

policy. MFN linkage with China polices. Chinese efforts for Improvements of

home issues. Pro Taiwan groups lobbied for

Taiwan president visit to U.S.. Issues regarding military

confrontation on Taiwan. U.S. Policy of Engagement with

China. U.S.-China Summit conference

(1997).

1.Introduction

According to the Author, since 1-1-1979(Cater announcement) major crises in U.S.-China relations took place with Tiananmen Incident with death of communist party chief Hu Yaobang.

Bush lost his presidency in 1992 due to his to tough policy toward China.

U.S. domestic interest group are now more strong as they were during cold war.

1.Introduction…..

President Clinton during his 1st term was much less concerned with foreign policy toward china. ( favored by those groups whom funded him in election 1992).

U.S. Businesses group, pro Taiwan students and groups.

Allowed Taiwan president to visit U.S. That result in serious crises b/w U.S. and

China. Chinese agencies provided fund to

various candidates and funded congressman visit to China and also to get MFN yearly renewal.

Introduction….

In 1995 Clinton took charge of Foreign policy after strong Military reaction from China.

In response U.S. sent two craft carrier ships to Taiwan and pressed china not to test missile near Taiwan.

U.S used back door diplomacy to handle the issue and assured China that they will not allow Taiwan High level official to U.S.

On the other hand some domestic group and media continued criticism on soft policy toward China.

Clinton during 2nd term of Presidency with strong commitment continued “Engagement Policy” .

1n 1997 China president visited U.S., for U.S.-China Summit, and He also visited few U.S. Top Department and final deal for Dollar 4Billion Boeing Craft to ease down U.S. Domestic critics and Media.

2. Rising Influence after the cold war

According to the Author, after the end of Cold war U.S. policy towards China

shift from elitism to pluralism.

• Elitism –domination by the Executive branch ,especially by the White house, The State Department, and the Pentagon.

• Presidential consultation with a bipartisan leadership.

• Mobilization of public support through media.

• Pluralization: Reallocation of power within govt, away from the executive branch and toward congress.

• Much greater participation of NGO and lobbying groups.

• Much less consensus within congress and the broad public over foreign policy.

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

There exists three different school of thoughts within U.S regarding Post Cold war foreign policy:

one prominent school of thought stresses decline in U.S. power .This group suggest U.S.

To work harder to preserve its interests. To use complex mix of international, regional,

and bilateral efforts . To keep issues regarding Security, economic

and cultural-political on top in policy making. It urges caution in policy toward other regional

power- Russia, China and India.(to work closely with these mentioned states).

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

2nd school argues for:( America FIRST). Major cutbacks in U.S. international activity including military

involvement, and a renewed focus o solving such domestics as crime, drug use, economic competitiveness, educational standards, homelessness and transportation infrastructure.

3rd school argues that: Policy needs to promote U.S. interests in international

political, military, and economic affairs more actively and to use U.S. influence to pressure countries that do not conform to norms of an appropriate world order.

Supporter of this thought want U.S. to maintain its military forces with worldwide capabilities, to lead in world affairs, and to minimize compromises.

And importantly this school of thought has been present in American politics thought this century specially after 1960S ( Vietnam war, Oil shocks and the iron hostage crises)… and this trend we have seen presently in U.S. policy ( attacking Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya).

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

Three Approaches to U.S.-China policy: Ist Approach-considered is moderate

approach believes that trends in china are moving not according to desire “right” direction-that china is increasingly interdependent economically with its neighbors and the advanced industrial economies and thus unlikely to destabilize these relationships.

Economic growth promotes a materially better off and more educated and cosmopolitan populace that will over result for greater political pluralism and democratic institutions.

To get these long term goals U.S must work closely with china.

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

2nd Approach demands for tough relation with China.

Supporters of this approach consider current China conformance to many international norms a time biding factor and think if once China gets Economic modernization, Beijing will not sacrifice its nationalistic and territorial ambition for economic stability.

And they think U.S. should rely on strong military power as a counterweight to rising china.

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

3RD Approach favored by some U.S. officials and other leaders believes that China’s political system needs to change before U.S. can establish constructive relationship with Beijing.

Aim should be to change China from within while maintain vigilance against disruptive Chinese foreign policy.

RISING INFLUENCE AFTER THE COLD WAR….

Techniques used by groups to influence U.S f.policy: Be active not reactive The message (clear to the point). Amplifying the message (media attention). Entry points( congress is major focus). Strategies( as a strategy work with congress

or other influencing bodies supportive to them and those individual who still needs persuasion)

3.The MFN debate During Bush Administration

The TV shown Tiananmen incident June 1989 created major crisis in U.S. policy toward china.

Initial response form U.S. on Tiananmen incident:

The Bush ordered the suspension of all Govt-Govt sale, commercial export of weapons, suspension of visits b/w U.S. and Chinese Military leaders and also suspended new loans for China.

The Bush administration and many congressmen privately pressed Chinese Leaders to take steps for:

Easy martial laws in Beijing. Allow VOA to broadcast programme fro china Allow U.S. professors to work there..

The MFN debate During Bush Administration……

U.S. domestic media, Chinese student at U.S.and Human rights organization created strong anti China atmosphere in U.S.(demanding for tough policy against China).

President Bush took the charge of controlling policy toward china.

Realizing the situation Chinese official took few steps to insure they are committed to improve the situation and not to interfere in U.S

By the end of 1990,Bush considered MFN china yearly renewal necessary for his policy of “engagement” and did so without listening to domestic demand as result last 1992 election.

4.The MFN debate during Clinton administration…

March 9, 1992. While campaigning for President, Bill Clinton says, “I do not believe we should extend ‘Most Favored Nation’ status to China unless they make significant progress in human rights, arms proliferation and fair trade.”

June 3, 1993. President Clinton signs an executive order extending MFN to China on the condition that MFN will not be renewed in 1994 if human rights do not improve.

1993-94, China achieved growth of 12-13%. Which attracted U.S. domestic business groups and they continued to extend their relationship with china.

The MFN debate during Clinton administration….

About 800 U.S leading Businesses wrote letter to extend MFN to china without conditions.

November 19, 1993. Chinese President Jiang Zeeman meets informally with President Clinton at a conference for Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders. Afterward, Clinton says, “I think anybody should be reluctant to isolate a country as big as China with the potential China has for good.”

May 1994,Clinton delink MFN from Human rights issues in China.

5.The Taiwan Crisis of 1995-96

According to the Author in past two decayed U.S,China and Taiwan triangle often cover with presenting problems basically dovetailed with U.S interest.

The Clinton administration’s decision to allow Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui’s resulted in unwanted response from China.

China canceled bilateral dialogues ,suspended key meetings with Taiwan and started proactive military exercises near Taiwan border, also warned that move toward independence would result in China invasion of Taiwan.

The Taiwan Crisis of 1995-96…

This incident reinforce Chinese suspicion that U.S had decided to “contain “ china or hold back Chinese economic growth and want to develop relation with Taiwan.

Clinton administration tried to reassure Beijing that U.S was not attempting to hold China’s development but Chinese unmoved till Clinton administration assured U.S. will not give visa to other senior Taiwan leaders.

6.Convergence and conflicts in us-china policy,1996-97

The crises in Us-China relations over Taiwan resulted in Clinton administration to pay more attention to China policy.

This resulted in opening way for higher level meetings and U.S-China summits(1997 and 19980).

U.S leaders have perceived that they will need to devote continuous high level policy attention: case by case, year by year to deal with rising china.

Convergence and conflicts in us-china policy,1996-97....

On the other hand Chinese leaders welcomes higher level dialogues and US-China summits.

Greater coherence and convergence of opinion among US-China policy clearly assists the efforts of organized interests whose goals are compatible with that policy.

And both countries top leaders are aware of sensitive issues on either sides and hence accordingly shipping there policies.

My view about the book

Easy and interesting book to read and learn.

One can understand the role of organized groups in developing or destabilizing relations b/w states.

Both U.S.-China interested to keeps other issues aside from business activities.

In developing foreign policy, each step is very careful designed and taken.

Foreign policy is more about give and take.