Many have been reluctant to aggravate America's relationship with China by confronting the Chinese government. They argue that a confrontational stance would create antagonism that will prevent cooperation between the two countries. But religious freedom is not a core issue for the Chinese government. There is little to be gained by taking a firm and proud moral stance on democracy in China or Tibetan independence because the regime has so much tied up with those issues. But the mistreatment of Christians is not fundamental to the government's identity, nor does it present a clear and worrying danger as democratic reform would.

It is a peripheral issue, and by applying pressure the U.S. can make it clear that there is much to be lost by denying religious freedom, especially considering how little the Chinese government gains through their repression. The recent WTO negotiations would have been an ideal opportunity for the U.S. to make its feelings clear and link them to China's economic interests, instead of merely trying to exact concessions for well-connected economic sectors.

China's recent snub to the Vatican is a timely reminder of the Chinese government's unacceptable record on religious freedom, and it is an issue where the U.S. can actually have an impact. It is time for the U.S. to take a more vocal and vigorous stand to protect the rights and dignity of the religiously observant in China. In Imperial China, the government was at times open to and interested in the ideas of Jesuit missionaries; the U.S. must use its influence to move China's current government towards this tradition of tolerance and away from the cheap excuse of nationalism it now uses to rationalize repression.

Charles C. DeSimone '01 is a Crimson editor living in Dunster House.