Posted on 01/27/2005 8:14:37 AM PST by MikeEdwards
Paul Martin is not the only Western leader to promote trade with China while ignoring that country’s terrible human rights record. There may be something to the argument that as China progresses economically, the human rights abuses will lessen.
But on a recent trip to the Peoples Republic of China, the globetrotting Martin has shown that he is either indifferent to human rights or has little understanding of the concept of what human rights are. Martin was virtually silent when the PRC refused visas to two Chinese-born Canadian journalists, who were to accompany the Prime Minister on his jaunt. It is one thing not to complain about members of the Falun Gong being persecuted because they are, well, members of the Falun Gong, but it is quite another when the Chinese refused to allow the Canadian journalists to travel with the PM. That one was personal. The only reason for the visa refusals seemed to be that these journalists provide information to Chinese Canadians that is not flattering to the government in Beijing. A leader with more backbone would have strenuously objected to China dictating what members of the media are allowed to cover the trip. But not Martin.
Martin arrived in China shortly after the death of Zhao Ziyang, who had been under house arrest since shortly after the events at Tiananmen Square in June 1989. Zhao was forced to live out the remainder of his days at home after showing support for the pro-democracy students, many of whom lost their lives in their fight for freedom. When Martin was questioned about the fact that China imposed a news blackout on Zhao’s death, the Prime Minister said, "The way that the government handles this kind of thing is really a matter of its own dictates". . . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at canadafreepress.com ...
Martin's a coward. He's so irrelevant anyway that the Chinese would just laugh. We need a leader with a backbone and a conscience - as well as morals of the average Canadian.
Jeez I wonder what the American Trade deficit is with China?
China wants your trade deficit to keep going up. They're just waiting until the US is too weak. That'll be once everything's made in China and every job is sent there. That's when they'll strike!
Now why would they do that if they got so much going on and going right in their own homeland?
I'm mean if you are at the top of the world, everybody working, making money and happy, why war with us?
Why war with your best customer?
They want to spread their political system
They aint got one.
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