Recognizing China
I really enjoyed your special report “Standing Up,” on China’s stand after 50 years of communism (Sept. 20). It showed China for what it is: a country that is gradually emerging and that, one day, will ultimately become an important power, with which the world can reckon. Nikhil Manna Quatre Bornes, Mauritius
The Chinese Communist Party may govern China, but the truth is that capitalistic mechanisms make China stronger than it has ever been. With more than 1.3 billion people, many of them pragmatic entrepreneurs, and an advanced economic policy, China has the potential to become the dominant Asian nation. In the 21st century, Mao’s grandchildren could become economic and military opponents of the Western world, which could be more dangerous than the communist menace of the 20th century ever was. Karsten Strey Hamburg, Germany
It’s quite fascinating to notice that Mao Zedong wanted to be friends with the United States, just like Fidel Castro back in 1960 and the Sandinistas in 1980. And every time some heroic McCarthy, Kennedy or Reagan chose a cold war instead of peace. Rene Gardea Prague, Czech Republic
China cannot be compared to the United States. It is still a developing country with such a large population that we cannot afford doing things the American way. Yes, we need democracy. But we need a democratic government that can really do something, not only “puppet politicians” like they have in Russia. We Chinese do not want to be treated by the West as beggars, like the Russians are. China is not as good as it could be. But I think it is much better than before and I also think it will get better in the future. With a new generation growing up, with better education and economy and a broader vision, we certainly can bring about a better China. Ma Chengbin Chiba, Japan
Let’s give China a break and a chance to change and adapt. The Chinese are definitely doing better than the Russians. Communism is obsolete and outdated. We all know it–and the Chinese all know it. Ricardo J. Guajardo Garza Garcia, Mexico
What Napoleon once said about China–that it would one day stand up and be a colossus–has happened. China’s unbroken history, shaded by beliefs such as Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, will stand for ever as the East’s triumph of power. K. Ravindran Singapore
Whether Gerald Segal–who says “it’s time to see China for what it is”–likes it or not, China is irreversibly on the path of a gigantic transformation to achieve its goals (“The Myth of Chinese Power”). After almost a century of devastating political turmoil, economic stagnancy and foreign domination, China wants peace and stability, national security and international respect. Without asking for it, China is now at the center stage of world affairs. It should be in the rest of the world’s “strategic interests” to live with a “successful” China. We should not wish for a China unable to live at peace with itself as well as the rest of the world. J. K. Lee Penang, Malaysia
What’s wrong with China’s small GNP? If nations should be rated in terms of their GNPs, the nations with the smallest GNPs should be rated the highest. Everyone knows that if nations keep on competing about having the highest GNPs and boasting about their citizens’ increasingly “decent” lives, we will destroy the environment. We should find a strategy to make people live happily with a GNP as small as possible. In this sense, I think China is a good example, and is doing what we all should be doing. Hideo Shingu Kyoto, Japan
I found Vivienne Tam’s report on fashion in today’s China offensive (“Mao, Style Guru”). Perhaps Americans think that the only wrong Mao Zedong ever did was to exile the Dalai Lama from Tibet. The truth is that the crimes against humanity committed during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution were far worse. To trivialize those crimes by complimenting Mao on his great sense of fashion or plastering his face on dresses is terrible. If the same was done with Hitler’s image, people would realize how wrong it is, despite the fact that both were equally horrible men. Caitlin Guilford Singapore
The Voice of Taiwan
I was moved after reading your article “Escaping the Past,” on Taiwan’s self-definition and move away from China (Asia, Aug. 2). Does anyone want to listen and give respect to the voice of Taiwan? Although powerless nations are often sacrificed in politics, Taiwanese deserve the right to decide their future based on the value of self-determination and individual dignity. Xavier Chang Taipei, Taiwan
Fearing Falun Gong
In China, we knew that the Communist Party was afraid of people’s actions rather than the spiritual movement Falun Gong itself (“Echoes of ‘89,” Asia, Aug. 2). At first the party kept silent regarding Falun Gong, although some of its activities were against Chinese law. But then tens of thousands of Falun Gong members surrounded Zhongnanhai leadership compound and asked the government to give them legal protection. They used their right under the law, but they also set up a model for other people. If these people are not satisfied with the government, they will also attack local governments the same way–that’s why the government cracked down on Falun Gong. Jason Xiaolong Zhang Shenzhen, China
Paying the Price in East Timor
East Timor needs the involvement of the world’s superpower. But, unfortunately, the United States has come down with a bad case of “intervention fatigue” (“Terror in the Streets,” World Affairs, Sept. 20). It is no longer able to respond to–without any promise of political or economic gain–blatant genocide more than once per decade. Michelle Abrahom Jerusalem, Israel
Strategic interests have dictated U.S. policy toward East Timor. In December 1975, the day after President Ford and Henry Kissinger had left Jakarta, Indonesia invaded East Timor with U.S. equipment and financial support and made it a province. The reason for U.S. support? East Timor controls a strategic shipping lane between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Now the Timorese and the world are paying the price for the terrible decision made by the United States and Indonesia 25 years ago. Carol Bragg Seekonk, Massachusetts
The tragedy in East Timor highlights the reason that many Americans refuse to give up the right to own guns. If this law had applied to East Timorese, they wouldn’t have had to rely upon the shamefully inadequate response from the international community. They would instead be relying upon–and saving–themselves. James P. Hilton Castle Hill, Australia
I’m one of the many Indonesians who have to take the world’s blame for the crisis in East Timor. I don’t like it, although I know it is hard for foreigners to know who among us Indonesians is responsible. But reading in your article that “Muslim Indonesian troops” had assisted the militiamen in destroying Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo’s residence made me very sad. Yani Sudarsono Jakarta, Indonesia
I’m deeply concerned about the news that the safety of the East Timorese who are deported to West Timor will be entrusted to Indonesia, just as the United Nations did with the safety of all the Timorese at the beginning of this process, with the results we all know about. I hope there are objective and independent assurances of safety for the deported people. The world and history will hold the United Nations responsible for the consequences of this decision. Carlos Cerqueira Coimbra, Portugal
I was pleased to see your extensive coverage of the tragedy in East Timor, but was shocked to read Megawati Sukarnoputri’s article (“Blame It on Habibie”). This longtime opponent of a referendum on East Timor’s freedom suddenly dressed in the gown of East Timor’s guardian angel. She also attacked President B. J. Habibie for the one time he showed his best qualities as a statesman, having the courage to publicly accept East Timor’s independence. I agree with Megawati in that most Indonesians were primarily victims of the Suharto regime’s atrocities. The massive terror and genocide in East Timor, however, cannot be the work of a single person. Many Indonesians will have to go through a healing process similar to Germany’s in the aftermath of the Holocaust, in which all the seeds of genocide will have to be expurgated. Jose Luis Malaquias Coimbra, Portugal
Have the atrocities against minorities like the people of Irian Jaya or the Chinese in recent riots been committed only by government groups, or haven’t also ordinary Indonesians taken part and benefited from them? While it doesn’t make sense to condemn a whole people as such, it is also dubious to present them as victims only. Gerhard Geschwill Ettlingen, Germany
While it is virtually certain that Habibie’s government must be held responsible for being unable to stop the killings in East Timor, Megawati’s failure to accuse the main culprits of those heinous crimes implies that she has no firm plans for what changes to make and how to run Indonesia. The international community does not blame the Indonesian people for the atrocities in East Timor. We blame the Army–and Megawati should do the same. Jesus A. Poyatos Boigues Ulsan, South Korea
Megawati portrays herself as a strong, articulate reform leader. This she is not. Megawati seems no more inclined than Habibie to prosecute Suharto’s corruption or to alienate the military establishment by curtailing the broad authority it has so shamefully abused. A Megawati victory should not induce the International Monetary Fund to return to Indonesia too quickly with easy money. Despite the political hype of her public-relations team, Megawati has yet to establish her bona fides as the reformer that Indonesia needs. Donna K. Woodward Medan, Indonesia
‘A Little Help From My Friend’
Thanks for the uplifting report among all the tragedies Turkey and Greece had to go through (“Earthquake Brothers,” World Affairs, Sept. 20). The appalling tragedies demonstrated that the politicians’ animosities imposed on the people are not capable of marring indelible kindness, friendship and trust resurfacing at times like these. We Turks will never forget the genuine hand of help from our neighbor. Serra Turan Essex, England
I was happy to read your article on how the seeds of peace have been planted in the hearts of the Turks and Greeks. I wish for peace between the two nations. For a long time my Greek friends and I have shared these thoughts on the Internet. Tansu Hattatoglu Istanbul, Turkey
Reading about the Greeks and the Turks extending warm helping hands to each other in the aftermath of the earthquakes leads me to think of our relations with the Pakistanis. We have been living like archenemies for the past 50 years, despite the fact that no two nations are more identical in terms of culture and customs than India and Pakistan. The saddest part is that both these countries are miserably lagging behind in improving the lives of their people. Do we have to wait for a devastating earthquake before we can become “brothers”? Shankar Ganguli Pune, India
Rewriting the Yeltsin Legacy?
Referring to your article “Boris Says, ‘Charge It!’ " on President Boris Yeltsin’s corruption charges, I must agree that he is the “father of democracy” (World Affairs, Sept. 20). But now he has put his reputation at risk because of corruption. It’s obvious that the Russians no longer trust Yeltsin. He may be even worse than Ferdinand Marcos was. He seems to be the king of Russia, sacking prime ministers as he wants to and letting Russia go down in poverty. When will justice be restored? Colin Teo Singapore
… Where Credit Is Due
Congratulations on the insightful article on Hungary’s role in the 1989 turn of events in Europe (“Remembering the Wire Cutters,” World View, Sept. 6). Hungary likes to keep a low profile, and it is great that it is getting some credit. Clara Thurner Mayfield Heights, Ohio
