Pressure From Beijing

Regarding the Jan. 18 article, "China Wants U.S. to Do More to Prevent Taiwan Vote":

Beijing would have the United States directly interfere in the democratic process of Taiwan, one of its closest allies, merely because Chinese officials labeled the planned March 22 national referendum "provocative."

China's leaders have long feigned interest in progressive political development to please Western investors drawn to China by its economy. But Beijing's refusal to make good on its promise to ease media restrictions and improve its human rights record before the Olympics this year, as well as its decision to roll back democratic elections in Hong Kong five years to 2017, belie such diplomatic sweet talk.

Beijing's hypocrisy regarding basic freedoms should be enough to make any complaint regarding Taiwan's referendum laughable.

JAMES P. FINNEGAN

Editor, Press Division

Taipei Economic and Cultural

Representative Office

Washington