Peter Scheer's Case against China

Yesterday, a California journalist alerted me about Peter Scheer's effort to have WTO sanctions imposed based on Beijing's internet censorship, and the hearings that will be held tomorrow in Washington DC. It turns out the BussinessWire has reported this case as early as December 2007:

"China's censorship of the Internet, while fundamentally an issue of free speech and individual liberty, is also a significant barrier to U.S.-China commerce and, therefore, very much a trade issue," said CFAC executive director Peter Scheer.

I'm all for information transparency and uncensored internet access in China. However this case feels like another counter-productive attempt to play on a technicality. It is kind of ironical that Scheer uses the excuse of trade issue trying to achieve free speech for the Chinese, as there is evidence that American businesses aren't that interested in the latter. Yahoo's quick assistance in the arrests of Chinese dissident journalists is a good example. American commercial interest and Chinese people's free speech are two very different issues, and often conflicting ones.

The thing is, when the Chinese exercise their rights of free speech, it might not be what the American business, or the media, want to hear. On May 4^th this year, ten thousand Chinese held a pro-Olympics rally in New York, but none of the major American media outlets reported the event. Why? Because they only liked to report one side – i.e., voices against the Beijing Olympics.

Remember also the Chinese boycott of the French supermarket, Carrefour, after the anti-Olympics protest in Paris? When it comes to national pride, Americans would be surprised how united the Chinese people are with their government.

From a more practical point of view, CFAC's attempt might be lifting a rock to hit its own feet. At present, given the high tide of the Chinese nationalism, a farfetched push for WTO sanctions will only raise the Chinese hatred toward American business. That would be counterproductive, wouldn't it?

As I said, I'm all for information transparency and uncensored internet access. However a lasting progress in political reform comes from inside of a country, not from external pressure. Many Americans seem to believe in the external pressure they place on other countries; this might be a main cause of the problems with the US foreign policy. Looking at history – Americans have been in numerous countries trying to impose an order through external influence, how successful has this been?

I'm optimistic that China is changing and the internet censorship will be gradually lifted. If this is too hard to wait for American business, there are plenty of ways to get their information out. For example, to advertise in China, to set business websites inside of China, etc. This, to me, is a better way than increasing the tension between the two countries.