That’s freedom. Bush once invited Fang to a Beijing banquet (police kept him away), but having the dissident to dinner is the last thing Bush needs to advance his China strategy. In pushing for reform, the administration has offered improved relations–including most-favored-nation trading status–while urging the release of Fang and others. Caught off guard by Fang’s request for a meeting, Bush countered: “I thought he wanted to stay out of the public eye.” He dismissed the charge that the United States has a double standard. But he added: “I am heartened that Fang Lizhi is free and free now to say what’s on his mind.”
