Obama-Hu Summit: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly
ICT blog, January 21, 2011
by Todd Stein
Tibet
Good: when President Obama said: “The United States continues to support further dialogue between the government of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people.” A positive affirmation of long-standing U.S. policy that gives support to the Dalai Lama’s efforts, and should encourage other countries to say the same thing, publicly.
Bad: when Obama said: “We, the United States, recognize that Tibet is part of the People s Republic of China…” While this is U.S. policy, it doesn’t need to be repeated and only empowers Beijing to press other countries for such statements absent of key language on the dialogue (as above).
Ugly: when President Hu said: “China is willing to engage in dialogue and exchanges with the United States on the basis of mutual respect and the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.” This is code for ‘Tibet is ours, stay out,’ belied by the fact that what happens in Tibet could affect millions (as in melting glaciers and their affect on major Asian rivers and those downstream).
Human rights
Good: when Obama said: “The United States speaks up for these freedoms and the dignity of every human being, not only because it’s part of who we are as Americans, but we do so because we believe that by upholding these universal rights, all nations, including China, will ultimately be more prosperous and successful.”
Bad: when Obama said: “China has a different political system than we do. China is at a different stage of development than we are. We come from very different cultures with very different histories.” This expression of moral relativism essentially gives a free pass to Beijing, who justifies the gross mistreatment of its citizens on the false premise that there are eastern values distinct from western values.
Ugly: when Hu said: “China is always committed to the protection and promotion of human rights.” If there were a virtual asterisk above Hu’s head, it would have appeared at this moment.
Images
Good: Images of the Tibetan flag, Hu Jintao as a “failed” leader, and a “Tibet will be free” banner projected on the side of the Chinese embassy. See image above. Kudos for the clever work of our friends at Students for a Free Tibet.
Bad: Chinese television censored their own leader’s comments on human rights. As reported by the Washington Post, Chinese censors cut off the BBC broadcast of the joint press conference right after Hu said “a lot still needs to be done…” on human rights.
Ugly: The pomp, circumstance and 21-gun salute accorded a foreign leader with a horrendous human rights record. This is the first time in history that a Nobel Peace Prize winner (Obama) has hosted a person (Hu) who has incarcerated a fellow Peace Prize winner (Liu Xiaobo).
Actions
Good: Obama was proactive in signaling the importance of human rights in the bilateral relationship. Days before the summit, he invited five activists/academics to the White House to discuss “current challenges, prospects for reform, and recommendations for U.S. policy.” The White House also invited the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch to the state dinner.
Bad: The Administration failed to include any Tibetans (or Uyghurs or Mongolians) in any of the rights promotion activities before or during the summit. While theirs is a struggle for basic rights too, these peoples face additional suffering from Chinese assimilationist policies that are destroying their culture.
Ugly: Hu’s Communist Party continued to incarcerate (and possibly torture) Liu Xiaobo, Hu Jia, Dhondup Wangchen and Gheyret Niyaz for merely exercising their right to free expression, while Hu himself availed himself of full, free expression in the United States, where his words were broadcast across the United States, uncensored. See above about Hu’s own comments on human rights being censored back home.
[This blog posting and more can be found on ICT’s blog: Ideas, Advocacy and Dialog on Tibet]
Press contact:
Todd Stein
Director of Government Relations, ICT
Email: todd.stein@ictibet.org
Tel: +1 (202) 785-1515