Unit 3 The China Lobby's Impact on U.S.-China Relations: A Case Study of Human Rights Issues

1. Unit 3 The China Lobby's Impact on U.S.-China Relations: A Case Study of Human Rights Issues Dr. Pei-Shan Kao, Assistant Professor National Chiao Tung University, TAIWAN 12 September 2009 Potsdam, Germany

2. I. Introduction II. Term Explanations: Interest Groups; The China Lobby; The Taiwan Lobby III. The Case Study of Human Rights: U.S.-China Bargaining on Tiananmen Incident IV. The China Lobby Impact on States’ Bargaining  V. Conclusion

3. Scholars in the field of IR: domestic factors = major variables that influence states' relations. Domestic-level variables such as lobbies, think tanks and NGOs play a critical role on the making of states' foreign policy. Question: How about U.S.-China relations? Are these viewpoints borne out in U.S.-China relations?

4. -∵The USA= a democratic and pluralistic society, lobbying activities are very active and influential. ∴In U.S.-China relations, many interest groups actively intervene and participate inside the process. -By means of “politicisation”, they express their opinions to influence states’ bargaining and policies. -Not only American interest groups but also the Chinese teams actively lobby on matters with regard to trade, human rights, and national defense, etc. -They lobby for Congress support for their claims. →This complicates states’ decision making process. -The Chinese community in the USA= much more complicated; ∵many different groups -∴This paper attempts to examine the role the lobby groups played in U.S.-China relations & their effectiveness.

5. Table 1. The Path of Interest Groups’ Influence Interest Groups→ PRESSURE → ↓RESPONSE

6. II. TERM EXPLANATIONS1. Interest Groups (or Pressure Groups) private organisations that attempt to affect states’ policies and political decisions according to their own interests. ~ “any group that, on the basis of one or more shared attitudes, make certain claims upon other groups in the society for the establishment of forms of behavior that implied by the shared attitudes”. (David Truman, 1951) Many different types: e.g. business groups, professional bodies and trade unions, etc., who represent their members’ interests. In the USA, many business groups such as “Coalition for a Sound Dollar” and “U.S. Chamber of Commerce” actively involve in U.S.-China relations. Some of them show support for engagement with China; some of them criticise and oppose having close relationship with China.

7. 2. The China Lobby In the USA, the "China lobby“= the special interest group acting on behalf of the Chinese government to influence America’s China policy. *Before the retreat of the regime of Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan in 1949, the term “China lobby” → the interest groups acting on behalf of the Republic of China (R.O.C.). During the Second World War, their major work was to persuade U.S. Congress to provide much more economic aids to Chiang to fight against the Japanese. -When the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, the China lobby (the R.O.C.) attempted to prevent U.S. recognition of the Chinese Communist regime. Following the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the USA and China, the ROC China lobby’s works apparently failed.

8. ∵the rise of China, the PRC lobby has much more financial resources to fortify their presence in American politics. -Meanwhile, the “China lobby” gradually refers to the PRC lobby. (In this paper, the China lobby refers to the PRC lobby.) -Generally speaking, in the USA, the PRC China lobby can be divided into two groups: one supports the Chinese government and another is considered anti-government. -e.g. The Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars (FACSS) is the pro-Beijing groups in America. Other groups: Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, Foundation for China in the 21st Century, Support Democracy in China (SDC), Silicon Valley for Democracy in China (SVDC), China Democracy Party (CDP), etc., are the anti-government groups.

9. 3. The Taiwan Lobby ∵the China lobby now = the PRC lobby; the ROC lobby →the “Taiwan lobby”. -The Taiwan Lobby in the USA: many different groups. i.e. the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO); the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of North America (TCCNA); World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI); the Formosan Association for Political Activity (FAPA); and the Kuomintang (KMT) groups. -Each group has its appeals. e.g. the TCCNA, FAPA and the WUFI support Taiwan’s independence. They hence oppose the KMT groups who support having good relationship with China. The TECRO represents official opinions and interests.

10. <US Reactions and Policies> *US Congress: strong reactions and criticism e.g.-Stephen Solarz, urged the recall of the US ambassador to Beijing, and called for the cessation of military cooperation and commercial exchange with China -Senator Jesse Helms demanded the introduction of economic sanctions -considered granting sanctuary to Chinese students staying in the USA.(The Pelosi Bill) -suggested and introduced dozens of sanctions bills to punish China -required President Bush to adopt more extensive and stronger measures -The renewal of China’s MFN status?

11. <China’s Attitudes and Reactions> *Serious attitudes and criticism *Used the serious discrepancy between the executive and congressional branches of the USA *conveyed a ‘partially conciliatory’ message to the USA ↓ *Lifted ‘restrictions on cultural and academic exchanges and promised not to sell medium-range missiles to the Middle East. *Agreed to resume discussions on the Fulbright programme; allowed US diplomats to travel to Tibet; and the return of Peace Corps volunteers. *Announced the release of 573 detainees *Purchased $4 billion of Boeing aircraft as well as US wheat to appease the US Congress and to please American enterprises *Lifted the Martial Law

12. →President Bush then relaxed many economic sanctions he had imposed on China →Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen was invited by Baker to visit the United States for talks on the Persian Gulf in November, 1990. →Baker accepted Qian’s invitation to visit China in 1991. →In January 1992, President Bush met Li Peng in New York, during a visit to the United Nations headquarters. ↓ U.S.-China Relations were recovered

13. Conclusion ~To conclude, Chinese bargaining strategies were multi-dimensional during this crisis bargaining. Although it encouraged US allies to impose pressure on the United States, to prevent the imposition of more sanctions, China also knew how to make some concessions at the best moment. In addition, it smartly utilised and united with the pro-PRC groups, namely American interest groups and the PRC lobby to influence the US government. ~Compared with China’s flexible strategies and policies, the plural social and governmental system of the United States obstructed its bargaining tactics. Congressional requirements, NGO vigilance and the separation of powers in the United States make it more difficult to produce a coordinated policy.

14. Conclusions: • Since the United States is a pluralistic and democratic country, any one can express their opinions and voices; this encourages the involvement and participation of lobbies in politics. • -In this crisis bargaining, the lobbies (American interest groups + the China lobby )actively involved in the process to influence the US government’s decision making. • 2. China’s successful utilisation of American interest groups ( knew how to unite with American business group to seek Congress support against the anti-PRC lobby.) • e.g. Viewing the renewal of its MFN trade status in June 1990, and the serious pressure President Bush confronted from Congress, and many interest groups, China decided to make more compromises.

15. 3. However, compared with the performance and activities of the ROC lobby in the early time or the anti-PRC lobbies, the PRC China lobby is not so active. They are used to cooperating with the government and play a secondary role in U.S.-China relations. 4. The anti-PRC lobbies, particularly the human rights groups, greatly and actively involve in American politics attempting to influence its decision-making. 5. Although the US government made some decisions under the pressure of the lobbies and Congress, the Administration has its own thoughts and considerations. →even though the lobbies can influence states’ bargaining and decision-making, the efficiency of their works depends.

16. Thanks For Your Listening!!