Cord Byrd: “the emerging relationship between the United States and China is one of immense opportunity for both nations, and…”

“the emerging relationship between the United States and China is one of immense opportunity for both nations, and deserves the steady attention of the highest levels of both governments. Both nations need to make every effort to broaden the area of common ground in our dealings and understandings, and to engage in an open and honest dialogue on those issues, such as weapons proliferation and human rights matters, on which we have serious differences. There is a rising tide of commentary on our bilateral relationship, and it is not particularly easy to arrive at the kind of balanced approach which is both clear-eyed regarding present realities, and at the same time visionary on future prospects. One of the most thoughtful recent attempts to paint the salient highlights of this complicated picture was made last week by the recently retired Senator from the State of Georgia, Sam Nunn. On the occasion of his selection as the 1997 recipient of the Paul Nitze Award for Distinguished Public Service, Mr. Nunn described the current state of consensus in the United States on U.S.-China policy as ``very, very fragile.'' If that consensus were to break down, and the relationship with China were to turn sour, a historic opportunity of profound importance could be lost. Both sides need to work hard to avoid that possibility.”