Obama and China

Dan Blumenthal makes some interesting points about Obama’s experiences:

Mr. Obama is the first American president who came of age as the Cold War was receding. For many in Obama’s generation, the massacre of Chinese protesters at Tiananmen Square is a more powerful symbol of Chinese leadership than President Nixon’s breakthrough visit to Beijing…

Moreover, the president’s experience in another Asian country, Indonesia, will undoubtedly help him understand that Asia is more than just China, and that Asians are quite capable of governing themselves under democratic rule…

Mr. Obama can directly speak to the tech-savvy Chinese people – among whom he is very popular – about universal notions of liberty, justice and transparency.

It’s a good thing to look for the best in a new president. Dan hopes that Obama will get serious about the PRC’s human rights violations at home and dangerous activities abroad. I’m not holding my breath. The most consistent trend in Obama’s foreign policy is a desire for less confrontation. The economic crisis is the #1 issue here at home, so there is no political upside for a President who raises the profile of human rights. Perhaps a kind word for the Dalai Lama, but I don’t expect more.