Steve Forbes on China
Sanctions if China passes technology to rogue states
The rules of engagement [with China] would include:- They cannot run us out of Asia as they’re trying to do now
- They cannot use force against Taiwan
- On human rights abuses: We will criticize them in every international forum possible
- In
terms of trade, it has to be two-way. They have to genuinely reduce barriers, not the fake promises they’ve made
- And if China wishes to pass technology on to rogue states like North Korea or to Pakistan,
we should put sanctions on specific Chinese companies, particularly those controlled by the People’s Liberation Army.
You
let them know what the rules are. If they don’t adhere to those rules, then you take the appropriate steps, including taking trade sanctions.
Source: GOP Debate in Manchester NH
Jan 26, 2000
Lay out rules; then repeal MFN if China breaches rules
BAUER [to Forbes]: China is in the middle of a massive arms build-up. They’ve taken technology from the US. We’ve got threats on Taiwan. This Chinese defense minister said: War with the US was inevitable. Will you repeal MFN status for China? I will in
my first week in office.FORBES: We must let the Chinese know what the rules of engagement are. On human rights abuses: We will criticize them. In terms of trade, it has to be two-way.. If they don’t adhere to those rules, then you take the appropriate
steps including taking trade sanctions.
BAUER: Will you repeal MFN status for China or not?
FORBES: If China violates those rules of engagement, then trade is going to be on the table including MFN. But you must first lay out what those rules are.
If they want a relationship with us, here’s how you can have it. If not, they can have that confrontation and we’ll win against them just as we did against other tyrants.
BAUER: You’re ignoring 10 years of history. The verdict’s already in.
Source: (X-ref from Bauer) GOP Debate in Manchester NH
Jan 26, 2000
“Constructive engagement” is abject appeasement
The rise of China as a new power is another great challenge for the US. Our failure to properly handle Germany and Japan earlier in the 20th century cost us and the world dearly. We must not make this same mistake with China. Our president calls his
China policy “constructive engagement.” But it is better described as abject appeasement and a sellout of vital US interests. If we continue the administration’s drift and zig-zagging, our children and grandchildren will ultimately pay the price.
Source: “A New Birth of Freedom,” p. 166
Nov 9, 1999
No tech to Chinese military; sanctions on PLA companies
We should stop selling China sophisticated technology that it can use for military purposes. If Beijing sells prohibited military equipment to rogue states, we should apply sanctions. The Chinese army controls some 15,000 companies
that have about $10 billion in worldwide sales. We should apply sanctions on some of the PLA companies doing business in the US. If the offenses continue, we could slap penalties on those companies.
Source: “A New Birth of Freedom,” p. 167-8
Nov 9, 1999
Do not permit use of force in Taiwan or Tibet
Forbes said it’s critical that US leaders make it clear China will not be permitted to use force to retake Taiwan. “Unfortunately, the Clinton White House is giving off very dangerous ambiguous signals,” he said. “On human rights, which touches on Tibet,
we should make it clear we will denounce human rights abuses in China in every international forum possible. If they want to denounce us, fine. But we will win that kind of openness contest.”
Source: Mike Recht, Associated Press
Sep 10, 1999
End religious persecution before joining WTO
China feigns apathy about joining the WTO, forcing the Administration to cave in to lure China back to the table. This is no way to build a long-term relationship based on mutual respect & the rule of law. The Administration must stop rolling over. The
Chinese people must enjoy basic human rights, including freedom from religious persecution and forced abortion, as a minimum requirement for joining the WTO. Eradication of protectionist trade barriers & transition to a market economy is also needed.
Source: Press Release on China in WTO
Sep 3, 1999
Taiwan: Unconditional US response defends against China
Would Forbes defend Taiwan if China attacked? “Of course,” he said emphatically. “But unlike Clinton, I’d make damn sure Beijing knew that up front. Saying that protecting Taiwan would depend ‘on the circumstances’ invites trouble. That doesn’t mean you
scream publicly,” Forbes said. “You don’t cause China to lose face needlessly. You hit them hard in private and send an unmistakable public signal. You send the Navy to the Taiwan Strait. You don’t explain why. You just do it. They’ll get the message.”
Source: (Cross-ref from Foreign Policy) Time magazine article by Mic
Jun 14, 1999
Cox Report indicates incompetence, ineptitude, insincerity
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Steve Forbes said the administration had demonstrated “incompetence, ineptitude and insincerity on a scale never before witnessed in the history of U.S. defense,” making a point to target not just Clinton but also Vice
President Al Gore.
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Punish China for wounding US security
Regarding the Cox Report: The administration’s “national security policy of hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil has deeply wounded” US security. Forbes said China should be punished. He called for an end to the licensing of military products
to China, sanctions on People’s Liberation Army companies doing business in the United States and a halt to efforts to give China special breaks on entry into the World Trade Organization.“
Source: Reuters
May 25, 1999
China: Put commerce second to human right & proliferation
Until freedom at home renders it a benign power, deterrence and determination are essential for coping with the Chinese Communist dictatorship. We must get China to live by the rules in two vital areas: human rights and arms proliferation. [Via] the UN
Human Rights Commission, [we should re-initiate] censuring China for restricting basic freedoms. China has a terrible record on arms proliferation, [especially with] Pakistan and Iran. But commerce has taken precedence over national security.
Source: “American Leadership” speech at Casey Inst., NYC
May 4, 1998
China: Block WTO entry until trade barriers fall
The US should deny China’s membership [in the WTO] until its has eliminated practices contradicting norms of free trade. [In particular]: tariffs ten times that of comparable US rates, unpublished regulations serving as non-tariff barriers, state
subsidies, and unfettered intellectual property piracy. In the WTO, the US should not be in the business of bending the rules to appease Chinese ambitions. We should not reward precisely the behavior that we want China to move away from.
Source: “American Leadership” speech at Casey Inst., NYC
May 4, 1998
China: Promote democracy and capitalism for long-term
Our ultimate hope for a fruitful, non-warlike relationship with China lies in the rise of pro-freedom, pro-free-enterprise forces within it. The US must publicly confront reprehensible Chinese government behavior. We must consistently and unashamedly
champion the right of all Chinese citizens to freely worship, associate, speak, travel and trade. We should make clear our military commitment to the region. We must stop selling China sophisticated technology that it can use for military purposes.
Source: Memo to Congress: Beyond MFN: The China Challenge
Jun 26, 1997