ast week Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton conducted her first trip of business. Historically the first SoS trip has been to Europe to visit leaders of countries with strong alliances, Instead, Clinton toured Asia, probably because of their stronger economy ties to the U.S.
Yahoo News reported that while paying her first visit to Asia as the top US diplomat, Clinton said the United States would continue to press China on long-standing US concerns over human rights such as its rule over Tibet.
"But our pressing on those issues can't interfere on the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crisis," Clinton told reporters in Seoul just before leaving for Beijing.
This was the quote that shocked listeners everywhere. Amnesty International gave Clinton a failing review, saying they were "shocked and extremely disappointed" by Clinton's remarks. T. Kumar of Amnesty International USA said "The United States is one of the only countries that can meaningfully stand up to China on human rights issues."
Clinton pushed China on its economy and protecting the environment (see video below), but said that issues of human rights would not interfere.
If anyone is to protect human rights in China, it is the U.S. Clinton will have her chance still, and given she cares deeply for human rights, hopefully she will put the interests of humans before interests of the economy and environment. We have to have priorities, sure, but lightstepping issues with China makes the U.S. look weak. It shows our true colors and alliances more than ever.
Clinton will certainly get her chance to confront China on issues of human rights, and she who better for the job?
Video: Clinton urges China to "go clean."
