How China Hurts Bush’s Case

President Bush faces a defiant Congress in his bid to renew most-favored-nation trading status for China. Republicans and Democrats, displeased with Bush’s soft touch with Beijing since the Tian An Men massacre two years ago, are seeking concessions from the Administration as a quid pro quo for granting MFN status for another year.

The President could use some help from Beijing. He was right in deciding to renew MFN, but he faces a tough sell. Bills have been introduced both in the House and Senate to slap conditions on MFN. It’s time for Beijing to exhibit a cooperative spirit. That could help persuade a reluctant Congress to renew MFN, a low-tariff status enjoyed by virtually all U.S. trading partners.

China has exhausted congressional patience because of its arms sales, unfair trade practices and human rights record. The Administration has dispatched envoys to Beijing over the last few weeks to discuss some of these issues.

Beijing could achieve much goodwill by agreeing to international obligations that demonstrate it is a serious, credible world player with more than its own interests at heart. It should cooperate on two international arms agreements. Beijing indicated it is “seriously considering” signing a nuclear non-proliferation treaty during talks this week with a State Department official in Beijing. China is the sole holdout on the treaty among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

China also is reported to be possibly on the verge of selling short-range missiles to Syria and Pakistan; Beijing can quash the rumors by signing the Missile Technology Control Regime, the international agreement designed to restrict sales of short-range missiles.

Beijing should also beef up its trade rules and join international copyright agreements. On human rights, Beijing should provide a full accounting of persons arrested or held after Tian An Men.

Beijing no longer has a special standing with Congress. Tian An Men Square and the end of the Cold War have changed all that. But Beijing and Washington still have mutual interests. It’s up to China to help President Bush make that case.