China values control over development

Those who put free-trade ideology above freedom itself, or who hide behind such words to protect their purse, tell the unwitting that allowing China to have unfettered access to Western technology – even though used for repression – is necessary for China’s economic development, and that by the mysterious hand will bring political freedom.

The Chinese authorities see it the other way around: they will allow as much economic development as will entrench their rule, but no more. And, control is more important than development.

Ambassador David A. Gross, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy gave the 2006 Grafstein Lecture in Communications , University of Toronto, Faculty of Law on February 7,2006. [HT: R.J. Rummel at his Democratic Peace blog]

Along these lines, let me mention China again concerning a critical issue that is currently in the news: censorship. As we know, China has made great strides in its economic development, but the Chinese leadership has drawn a line in an attempt to separate economic reform from political debates. That line is an illusion. Interfering with the free-flow of ideas over the Internet does not break the resolve of political dissidents. Instead, it limits China's economic potential at a time when, as the PRC claims, it wants to foster indigenous innovation fueled by increased foreign investment.

China's information control practices undermine human innovation, limiting the sharing of ideas, and violate fundamental human rights. They hamper research and development and entrepreneurship because the best minds work best when they are free to express themselves on the subjects they choose.

A Congressman, enthralled with free-trade ideology , yesterday wrote his colleagues (I obtained a private copy) to not restrict repressive technology to China. “Eventually our ideals…may well be advanced by giving the people of China a medium in which these ideals can flourish.” Not if the ideas are not allowed to flourish, and U.S. hi-tech firms provide the tools of censorship. Such "eventually's" are just red-herrings for don't let human rights or political freedom interfere with our profits.

Yahoo’s general counsel says, “We always reserve the right to get better.” Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and Cisco better get at it, and stop obfuscating, and stop trying to pass their moral responsibilities on to others. As Congressman Smith, Chair of the House International Relations Subcommittee grilling them today says, “The bottom line is no one is being compelled to sell to China.”

UPDATE: Congressman Smith replies:

“In contrast to these companies' promotions, it's not inevitable that democracy will take hold,” Smith said. “And how many victims are you willing to sacrifice with that vague hope that's based on nothing?”

Read the whole article from the San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hitting Wall in China", for an excellent summary update on the issues.