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By Gordon G. Chang , Special to CNN Editor s Note: Gordon G. Chang is a columnist at Forbes.com. He is the author of The Coming Collapse of China and Nuclear Showdown: NorthKorea Takes On the World. The opinions expressed in thiscommentary are solely those of Gordon G. Chang. The drama surrounding Chen Guangcheng highlights again America s role as refuge for Chinese citizens. Late last month, the blind activist, after a request forprotection, entered the U.S. embassy in Beijing , smuggled in under the noses of Chinese security agents. By taking him in, the U.S. had chosen sides in the increasinglyvolatile confrontation between the Chinese people and China sCommunist Party. Washington, by its actions, had implicitly statedthat the rights of citizens were more important than thesovereignty of the People s Republic. It was a blatantinterference in China s internal affairs and it was the rightthing to do. Moreover, Washington revealed how weak the Chinese regime is bygetting it to extend guarantees of Chen s safety. In short,Beijing, after negotiations with a foreign government, madeagreements relating to its treatment of one of its own nationals onits own soil. True, Chinese officials violated those promises almost as soon asthey were made. But the fact that Beijing extended guarantees wasstunning in and of itself. After all, Renmin University s JinCanrong, just days before the Chinese government issued the fourassurances, said it was absolutely impossible for Beijing toguarantee Chen s safety. The United States, therefore, helped Chen lift the fear that hasprevented change in Chinese society. His flight to the heart of Communist power demonstrated that people havestarted to lose their fear of the party. In fact, many of those whohelped in the great escape publicized their roles, showing adefiance rarely seen since the Beijing Spring of 1989 . Authoritarian governments crumble when citizens no longer feelintimidated. As journalist Fred Coleman noted about the SovietUnion, Once the fear was gone, the system could not last. None of this is to say that the U.S. is seeking to end China scurrent form of government. It is to say, however, that itsactions, occurring at a time of great societal stress, canirrevocably change the Chinese political system. The U.S. did not seek out Chen. Chen, through his supporters,presented the U.S. with a situation to which it had to respond.Either decision to help or not would substantially alter thecourse of events. Watch: The importance of Chen Guangcheng Chen s supporters followed the playbook of Wang Lijun. At thebeginning of February, the Chinese official entered the U.S.consulate in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu, seeking refuge from his boss, Bo Xilai, then the Communist Party secretary ofChongqing. Bo, to prevent Wang from getting away, sent hundreds of armedsecurity troops across provincial lines to surround the consulate.They failed in this task because agents of the Ministry of StateSecurity took custody instead and accompanied him back toBeijing. Washington did not grant protection to Wang. But by refusing totake him in, it unwittingly precipitated a crisis that now lookslike it has split the top of the Communist Party. Wang s allegations, made in Beijing, triggered a series of events : certainly a purge of the charismatic Bo; the detention of hiswife on charges of murder; and possibly a coup and assassinationattempt in Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party headquarters in thecenter of Beijing. The consequences of Washington s decision tonot take in Wang have now roiled China and jeopardized thetransition from the so-called Fourth Generation leaders, led byGeneral Secretary Hu Jintao, to the Fifth Generation, presumablyunder the command of Vice President Xi Jinping. Again, the U.S. was put in a position where a decision would oneway or another affect the outcome of a defining struggle insideChina. And it is unlikely that China s people or its officialswill stop looking to America for assistance, refuge and support. AsChinese society becomes even more turbulent, Washington will have alarge role in determining China s future, whether it wants thatrole or not. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those ofGordon G. Chang. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Heating Furnace Parts , Oil Storage Tank Accessories for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Top Entry Agitator.
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