The speech itself is a bland meander of outdated dogma on how economic growth subservient to an international rule of law must lead to American style multiparty political systems.

Although billed in the USA press as a warning to China (for example see this absurd treatment by the PBS network show NewsHour) Bush once again reaffirmed his commitment to the One China Policy and his government's adherence to existing communiqués with Beijing.

The coverage of this nonevent by PBS's NewsHour is illustrative of the complete anti-China bias in the American press.

After highlighting only the subtle criticisms of China in the speech (China has only made the "first steps" toward freedom, "demands for political freedom will grow," and the inevitable comparison to "free and democratic and prosperous" Taiwan) the show, hosted by Ray Suarez, featured a panel of China "experts."

On one side was Wonhyuk Lim, a Korea specialist with the right-leaning (particularly on China) Brookings Institution. On the other was Liao Tienchi deputy publisher of the China Information Center described as a "nonprofit organization promoting free speech and expression in China."

The ensuing discussion (if you can seriously call it that) was a dull rehash of outdated talking points on China and its human rights record. Mr. Lim did have one very good point about the lack of strategic vision for Asia (and China specifically) by Bush and his administration.

What made the segment so illegitimate was the lack of disclaimer about Ms. Liao's affiliation. Her organization is in fact created and run by Harry Wu, a naturalized Chinese famous as a "dissident" and for his crusade against mainland China.

Harry Wu is one of the chief anti-China propagandists in the world. He is determined to persuade the American public and their gullible politicians that China is nothing more than a huge labor camp that harvests the organs of its own people.

Of course some say Harry Wu is just another political opportunist exploiting the fear of a rising China.

More importantly, Harry Wu has received USA taxpayer money via the National Endowment for Democracy. For this reason alone, it is inappropriate for PBS to employ one his toadies to comment on President Bush's words to China.

Sadly, it is typical of American news organizations today to do no background research when it comes to China coverage or investigate the credentials of their so-called China experts.

©2005 Ben Calmes for Sinomania!