Reply #5: We should ask China to protect freedom:

[megatherium]

freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to form independent labor unions and political parties. We should encourage both China and Taiwan to settle for a one state two systems solution along the lines of Hong Kong.

But I understand the terrifying history China has experienced: a civil war involving a religious leader that resulted in tens of millions of deaths (the Taiping Rebellion). So while I do not approve of their repression of Falun Gong and independent Christian churches, I can understand why they feel it necessary to control these sects.

And I understand the cruelty of the colonial powers and their treatment of China in the 19th and early 20th century. So we indeed have no right to interfere in Chinese internal affairs, and if we do press China to strengthen individual rights, we should make it clear that we do so out of friendship, not as an excuse to create antagonism or conflict.

China is industrializing with extreme rapidity. We must protect friendship with China because soon there will not be enough petroleum to fuel the Chinese economy and ours as well. This will lead to competition and possibly antagonism, and this could lead to war if the American people do not resist.