Monitor: Can Bill's engagement with China end happily?

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT TO CHINA

People's Daily

China

China and the United States must adhere to the spirit of mutually respecting each other, and seeking common ground while preserving differences. There is no denying the fact that differences still exist on the Taiwan issue, human rights issue, and so on. We have always maintained we should take proper measures and conduct a dialogue on the basis of equal consultation to narrow or solve them. If some problems cannot be resolved, we can shelve them for the time being, so that they will not affect the overall development of relations between the two countries. We hope the US side will take a pragmatic and constructive attitude, so that these differences will not stand in the way of improving relations.

New York Times

US

China cannot be viewed through a single lens. But the Chinese leadership has already profited greatly from his visit. His very presence is an affirmation of Beijing's growing power. The Chinese are certainly strong enough to hear straight talk on American values, and a presidential statement of solidarity with the democrats in Chinese society. A show of presidential will would not disrupt the trip. It might even make it memorable.

Hong Kong Standard

Washington is said to have a firm and pragmatic China policy now. The trouble is, Congress has one too - a Cold War one formulated on the ambitions of megastar China dissidents in the US, who have the unstinting backing of the human rights mafia.

u

The Washington Times

US

Criticism of Mr Clinton's all-carrots-and-no-sticks policy towards China is portrayed as a rejection of engagement. Not so. What it amounts to is the view that there are many ways to engage other countries, but they all should place at the centre American national interests. Mr Clinton's critics here at home are concerned that both are getting short shrift in the name of trade.

u

Japan Times

There is an important dimension to the Sino-US relationship: Japan's relations with the US. It is vitally important all three countries see the strategic triangle as a positive-sum relationship and not a zero-sum affair, in which one side profits at the expense of another. It is unfortunate that Clinton could not find time to stop in Japan after his visit. It would have been a good opportunity to make engagement more of a policy and less of a slogan.