The dragon as demon: Images of China on capital hill

• Published in: The Journal of contemporary China 2004-08, Vol.13 (40), p.541
• Main Author: Lubman, Stanley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Foreign investment; Ignorance; International relations-US; International trade; Legislators; Legislatures; Perceptions; Political change; Politics; Symbolism; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 1067-0564; 1469-9400

In congressional debate on China-related issues, alliances of partisans of single issues of high symbolic significance to some Americans insist vocally on strongly negative views of China that often caricature a complex society and foster unconstructive moralizing rather than analysis of the problems that they address. By demonizing China they obstruct the formulation and maintenance of a coherent American policy toward China and weaken Congress' contribution to making US policy. Members of Congress who favor engagement and look to a future in which they hope economic and political reform will grow in a China benefited by trade, foreign investment, and a peaceful international environment cannot display the moral certainty affected in congressional debates by the most outspoken critics. A variety of reasons underlie the demonizing of China in Congress, including some ignorance (willful or not) and reliance on lobbyists and poorly informed staff. Distorted images deform the contribution that Congress makes to the formulation of US China policy and cloud the perceptions of China held by some members and, derivatively, by many of their constituents among the American people. [PERIODICAL ABSTRACT]