U.S. Congressman Calls China ‘Frankenstein’
At a U.S. Congress Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday, California Representative Dana Rohrabacher referred to China as “the Frankenstein that now threatens us.” The Republican was alluding to America’s consistent economic relationship that, in his words, has created a monster. Lawmakers and cabinet members convened on Capitol Hill for the purpose of discussing China’s military buildup and whether or not China has made an effort to abide by international law and human rights standards leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games. The AP reported Wednesday that U.S. congressmen blasted China on numerous issues such as its anti-satellite test, forced abortion policy, executions and Beijing’s repatriation of North Korean refugees. Defending China was Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte who continually highlighted China’s willingness to address the concerns of the global community. Negroponte said Tuesday in reference to the Chinese government, “They are capable of shifting. They are changing.” Sitting behind Negroponte were 3 students wearing t-shirts that said, “Genocide Olympics,” a jab at China’s support of the Sudanese government in spite of the Darfur crisis. This left me wondering two things. First, where can I get one of these t-shirts? And second, isn’t all of this talk about whether China is suitable host for the Olympics a little belated? Beijing was elected host city six years ago. Surely, congressmen in the States, and presidential candidates in France and human rights groups had ample time before the bids and six years after Beijing won election to voice their concerns over China as a host. I’m not saying these concerns are not valid. Actually, I’m saying they are valid. But it’s the eleventh hour. These concerns should have been addressed in hours two or three. It becomes clear as activists pop up threatening boycotts and demanding sweeping political change in the year between now and the Olympics that perhaps nobody really understood China and the way it does things when it was selected as the host. Perhaps Beijing wasn’t the best choice. But it makes no difference now. While China should and probably will act on Darfur, the world cannot expect everything that makes China what it is will change before we let the games begin.
•AP: U.S. House Members Blast China