When China’s Xi Jinping arrives at the White House on September 24, he will seek to gain the greatest possible advantages at the least possible cost to China. That is the way it has always been with Chinese communist dictators. There is no reason to expect any change now.
For this reason, the United States can and should insist that certain realities be recognized at this first state visit of a Red Chinese leader in more than a decade. Without this recognition as a foundation, the visit risks being another fiasco.
A Position of Strength Facing the Shameful Badge of Communism
The first reality is that America still enters this scene from a position of strength, not weakness. Despite the present chaos in the world order, America still leads the world in the economic, military and technological fields.
The nation should not kowtow to Chinese interests. America must stand tall and represent the West with full strength.
Thus, the second reality is that America must make it clear that Xi comes not to a meeting of equals but as someone who wears the shameful badge of a declared communist. He can never be truly honored until he renounces this horrific ideology that was responsible for the death of tens of millions of Chinese over the decades.
The meeting is not a joyful reunion of friends or allies but a tragic reminder that this evil philosophical system still exists and threatens America and the West. Meetings like these must either present a forceful position of strength or risk following in the tragic footsteps of the Munich Agreement before World War II.
Indeed, China is preparing to become a direct enemy and already aids America’s enemies. The American military openly admits that it is preparing for war with China. America must act in accordance with this reality, not indulge in wishful thinking about Chamberlainian “peace in our time.”
Not a Business Summit but a Moral Encounter
The third reality is that Americans must understand that this visit should not be a business summit but a moral encounter. Business requires honesty, fair play and respect. America can only expect from China more stealing of its intellectual property, more dumping of cheap goods on its shores and more undermining of American and Western interests around the world.
This visit should be an occasion to set the record straight and demand an end to the unfair business practices that destroy free markets and American jobs. The president should demand an end to this poisonous climate that is destroying America and the post-1945 world order.
Peace can only come from the tranquility of order, not deception and intrigue.
Free Jimmy Lai and Stop Persecuting China’s Underground Catholics
The final reality is that Americans must insist that communist China respect basic human rights. This is particularly true of the Chinese underground Catholics who are suffering cruel persecution, because they are faithful to Rome. Mention must be especially made of the elderly Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong Catholic who languishes unjustly in political prison.
Moreover, China is increasingly trying to turn the Catholic Church into a puppet of the Marxist state. The communist state is naming Party-aligned bishops under a secret Vatican accord. This visit should be an occasion to denounce these processes. As a minimal gesture of goodwill, Xi should recognize the injustice of his jail sentence and free Jimmy Lai before arriving in Washington.
Will These Realities Be Recognized?
Thus, these four realities affecting American leadership, security, business and the freedom of the Catholic Church should be at the top of the list of things to be recognized and discussed.
However, will they be discussed? It is doubtful. Xi is an ideologue who serves his communist ideology, which claims that the end justifies the means. He is willing to make or break any deal, and sacrifice his own career as long as it helps advance communism.
For President Trump, everything is a deal and negotiable—even nonnegotiable things like fundamental human rights, morals and property guarantees. Painful realities tend to end deals quickly.
Time for a Reality Check
This is not the time for deals but a reality check. It is time to honor all those who suffered from Xi’s terrible regime. This is the time to demand Jimmy Lai’s freedom.
However, this will not happen. Instead, there will be a state visit, bedecked with every honor. It will be a theatrical performance, ignoring reality, frustrating hopes and preparing the way for future crises. Any deals will be, to quote Sir Winston Churchill, dishonor and war: “You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war.”
First published on TFP.org.
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