Following is a letter to the editor published in Swedish newspaper “Dagens nyheter” (The Daily News) on 19, June 2007
During recent years, China has increasingly become the focus of attention, possibly most of all from an economical point of view, since China, as we all know, is a very attractive market for the West. The interest has grown still more due to the coming Olympic Games, since these are seen as a possibility for China to present her new, successful concept of future.
This was evident last week, when Reinfeldt was talking to Chinese president Hu Jintao. Representatives of the Swedish economy sat there lined up like pet dogs, waiting for a titbit. Several directors and leaders of companies were talking about their cooperation with China with great enthusiasm, about how this would have an extremely positive impact on the Swedish economy and consequently be of benefit to the entire Swedish nation.
At the same time as Swedish capitalists and politicians are fawning on the president, Chinese are imprisoned because of their opinions. People are forcibly moved from their homes to leave room for propaganda constructions. Thousands are executed after extremely dubious trials, and their families are put out for public condemnation and jeering. The violent occupation of Tibet continues, with all this means of human right violations. Threats and shows of force against Taiwan follow one after another. International law and agreements aimed at protecting copyright and environment are ignored.
China is one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world – a fact pointed out year after year by numerous human right organizations. Anybody facing these factors would flinch, but not the Swedish industrialists. On the contrary.
One argument in favour of continuing and increasing trade and cooperation with China is that this will lead to increased freedom for the Chinese people. This statement is totally absurd. Why should the Chinese government put restraints on its total power, when Western companies are already queuing for access to the Chinese market? If the West dropped China because of the very fact of her human rights violations, the Peking bigwigs might possibly consider certain relief, but now, this is not the case.
Trading with China is tantamount to approving of the violations of several UN conventions committed by the Chinese government. Travelling to China to take part in or watch their Olympic Games, is tantamount to approving of China’s assault of Tibet.
Olle Linton, Stockholm
