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In China, Bush’s Words Disappoint:
Before the trip, human rights advocates’ expectations were high. Bush had scheduled an appearance at a Beijing church, had challenged China to become a more open society during a speech last week in Japan and had welcomed the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual and political leader whom Beijing perceives as a threat, to the White House.
. . . .But days before Bush’s arrival, Chinese authorities apparently forced several high-profile dissidents to leave the capital in an effort to prevent negative publicity. Also, no political prisoners were released around the time of the visit, unlike previous U.S.-China summits. And U.S. officials apparently failed to persuade Beijing to air on state-controlled media all aspects of Bush’s trip, particularly the church stop.
My own perception of China is quickly moving from “strategic adversary” to deadly enemy. I think it was this that triggered it in my own case.