Communist China and Vietnam's media charm offensive

And in November, Vietnam began to reap every gift imaginable. The photo opportunity of President Bush in Hanoi before a regal looking bust of Ho Chi Minh appeared on page one of every major newspaper in the world. Vietnam got WTO and in a few months PNTR. The “trifecta” was achieved.

After November 2006, Vietnam started the largest and most severe repression of human rights in recent memory.

Next month, the president from Vietnam will visit the United States for the first time. Human rights activists are already wondering if the usual play book will be used by both sides or if the US will actually press Vietnam on human rights, as promised. The world awaits the outcome.

Now we look to China.

Beijing was chosen to host the 2008 Summer Games by the International Olympic Committee. As part of the deal, China agreed to make progress in several human rights areas.

Now, NGOs and human rights organisations are already saying that China is falling short of its commitments on human rights.

Even though there is virtually no chance of human rights issues impacting China’s Summer Games, China’s international media charm offensive is in high gear.

We have seen China responding by hopping like a bunny to all kinds of criticism from around the world. China has announced new, more liberal rules for the media. China has made all kinds of pledges, from stiffer self-imposed environmental and global warming goals to renewed actions on freedom of religion.

China even replaced the Foreign Minister, who did not speak English, with the former Ambassador to the United States who speaks English like a Princeton man.

China is making some real improvements in human rights and other areas of international interest, but there is much work yet to do for a China desiring acceptance by the law abiding world community.

The issues for China are great and some seemingly small.

When President Hu Jintao visited Sudan last February, his presence violated the sanction of the UN, the EU and others wanting to seal the Sudan from aid or trade until improvements in the situation that many have called genocide in Darfur could be assessed.