'HILLARY IN CHINA'

[Hoje Macau, Macau]

The Hankyoreh, South Korea

On Trip to Asia, Clinton Hits All the Right Notes

"Clinton brought up nothing to make the nations she visited uncomfortable. An example of this is the issue of human rights in China. Rather than bring it up with Chinese President Hu Jintao, she actually met with representatives from human rights groups. Hu sang her praises."

EDITORIAL

February 23, 2009

South Korea - The Hankyoreh - Original Article (English)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is returning home after a tour of East Asia, which she chose as her first destination after being sworn in, and she defined the trip to Japan, Indonesia, Korea and China as a “listening tour.” The implication is that the Obama Administration wants to create a new diplomatic order that will be multilateral and cooperative, and listen to the views of other countries rather than forcing others to accept its own.

Indeed, Clinton brought up nothing to make the nations she visited uncomfortable, instead focusing on easing concerns about the new U.S. administration. An example of this is the issue of human rights in China. Rather than bring it up with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other policymakers, she actually met with representatives from human rights groups. Her choice took into account her strong criticism of China's human rights situation at a women’s conference in Beijing in 1995. Hu sang her praises, saying that her visit demonstrated that America values Asia, and promised to work with the United States on the global economic crisis and climate change.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

In Japan and South Korea, Clinton sought to ease concerns over the Obama administration's North Korea policy by making Japan her first stop, and in Seoul, by warning North Korea against its so-called tong mi bong nam approach [opening up to the Americans and closing off the South]. And while she issued repeated warnings to the North about its preparations to launch a missile, she said the door is still open for dialogue and she made it clear that the U.S. wants to speed the pace for improving ties between Pyongyang and Washington.

Using the strength of her experience, Clinton met with groups of average people and didn't allow herself to get penned in by protocol. In the wake of the unilateralism of the Bush Administration, she made every effort to turn foreign opinion around. The result appears to be a positive start for Clinton’s brand of diplomacy.

But setting aside differences and expanding common ground will not be easy. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, so the possibility exists that human rights will again be at center stage for Sino-American relations. Narrowing differences and building peace and stability in the region will require cooperation of the United States, South Korea, China and Japan. On the occasion of a new U.S. administration, let us all create a new model for multilateral cooperation in Asia.

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US February 26, 6:22am]