China And The U.S.: A Dangerous Misunderstanding

On the eve of a crucial visit by U.S. Secretary of State Warren M. Christopher, China has launched a crackdown on dissidents. China's most prominent activist, Wei Jingsheng, was detained on Mar. 4 and then banished to the provinces after dining with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights John Shattuck. A total of 13 other dissidents were detained or arrested.

While it may be that the Chinese authorities were just trying to punish Shattuck for what they considered rude behavior by a guest, the roundup has produced major strains in U.S.-Chinese relations. Passing through Hong Kong on his way home from Beijing, Shattuck sounded the alarm. "Oh my God, not another one," he said when informed that another activist had been hauled off. There could be very serious consequences unless the Chinese make concessions to Christopher--as some State Dept. officials believe they will.