China

China. The sole challenger to American hegemony left after the implosion of Russia. The nation with perhaps the longest tradition of science, exploration and culture. However, China is the largest non-democratic nation, and the last superpower that still has a communist party clinging to power. It routinly abuses human rights of dissidents, and all know of Tiannemen Square. While it is taking baby steps toward a free economy and democracy, these are only just that-baby steps-and until radical changes are made in United States Foreign Policy, that may remain true for a long while.

China expressly invaded and conquered Tibet, a neighboring indepented nation, without regard to the pacifistic lives led by the monks and civilians of the nation. What followed was a purge of Budhism that left thousands of innocents dead. To this day Tibet offers no degree of freedom like that it once enjoyed. The spritual and legal political ruler of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, must live abroad. All this as a sole consequence of Communist China.

Taiwan flourishes and prospers across the Formosa straight. It enjoys wealth and and economy similar to Hong Kong's or the Japanese. It is hardly coincidence that mainland China has languished so much under Communist rule. What prosperity could China, with near-unlimited natural and human resources-could China be enjoying today if it had gone the route of its rebellious "province," Taiwan? With Taiwan currently heating the flames between the "Two Chinas" with independence-leaning rhetoric, it is clear they are not satisfied with the status quo.

And nor should we be. China is too important, too valuable, and has too many people to be tolerated any longer. An ultimatum must be made. Either China takes drastic steps to liberalize and move their economy to a free market one, grant Tibet complete Independence, adopt a complete democratic/repubican government, and peacefully and fully reconcile with Taiwan; or they shall be pay the consequence of a wrathfull America. The opening of Diplomatic Relations and normalizing of relations with Taiwan, the recognition of Tibet as an occupied nation and recognition of the Dalai Lama as its Leader-in-Excile, vetoing China's ascendance to the WTO and placing an embargo on Chinese products are all threats that will hang over China's head. We are moving past the second millenium, and there is absolutely no justification for the tyrrany and repression of the last two milleniums to follow us to the next.

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