George W. Bush is giving a major foreign policy address at the Reagan Library on Friday, Nov. 19. The Scrapbook looks forward to his thoughts on U.S. policy towards China. If he plans on sounding tough, he may want to alert Uncle Prescott before he signs too many embarrassing consulting deals with Chinese companies. As the South China Morning Post reported last week, "The brother of former U.S. president George Bush has been hired as a consultant by a company in Zhejiang province. The Xiaoshan-based Wanxiang Group, which produces industrial bearings, wanted Prescott Bush to help expand its business in the United States, company spokesman Cheng Jie said yesterday.
"Mr. Bush had not been given specific responsibilities and would be paid according to his contribution, said Mr. Cheng. 'He doesn't have set responsibilities. When we need his help, we will contact him. . . . ' The company hired Mr. Bush because of his wide connections. Mr. Cheng said: 'He has many friends. Even though he may not be involved in the same field as we are, he can go to his friends for help in resolving our issues.'"
Coincidentally, Steve Forbes gave the best speech of his campaign at the Nixon Library last Friday, precisely on the need to take a firmer stance in talks with Beijing. "We need to begin using the economic and diplomatic tools at our disposal to effect real change in China," said Forbes: "tough sanctions on Chinese military-owned companies, tough sanctions on Chinese companies using slave labor, tough sanctions on Chinese companies trafficking in weapons of mass destruction, and continuous, high-profile condemnations of Chinese human rights abuses."
Public opinion, by the way, is with Forbes. Before Congress rubber stamps a trade deal with China, it may want to ponder the latest Reuters poll, showing two-thirds of Americans opposing freer trade with China unless Beijing improves its human rights record.