Submit questions now and come back for the live discussion on Monday.

Los Angeles, California: Dear John,

John Pomfret: Thanks for your question.

washingtonpost.com: Good morning from Washington! We're happy to have with us Washington Post reporter John Pomfret live in Beijing. Thanks for joining us today, John. Let's get started.

Glenmont, MD: The Washington Post about a month and a half ago reported protests by a group called the Falun Gong association for being labelled a cult in a government publication. Over 10,000 members of this group peacefully protested in Beijing. I have heard that the government has since then acted to suppress this organization. Is this the case, and if so are any members still meeting and practicing their exercises in public? Thanks.

John Pomfret: The Chinese government has allegedly begun a crackdown on practitioners of Falun gong.
But those being questioned by Chinese police generally are leaders of the sect, not people out
exercising. Nonetheless, Falun practitioners have carried out two protests in the last 10 days in two cities in China – underscoring their significant following.

Washington, D.C.: Many many experts criticized the conclusions in Cox's report about China stealing American technologies; but this report has affected all Chinese-Americans in the U.S. in a negative way. Can someone do something about it?

John Pomfret: Indeed, there is a feeling in China as well that many of the underlining conclusions in the Cox report were somehow racist -- or at least anti - Chinese-American. But clearer heads in China realize that the report was not so much directed at China, but directed at the US Department of Defense's security system. That's where the problem lies, not with the Chinese government or with Chinese or Chinese-American researchers.

Annapolis, MD: Hi-- the process for China's entry into the WTO has not been completed. Is it your perception that Chinese officials see their entrance into the WTO as a 'done deal'? And what is the primary advantage that China would gain from entering the WTO? I understand foriegn investment into Chinese businesses is already in the billions. Thanks

John Pomfret: There has been a pretty major struggle among the Chinese leadership over whether China should enter the WTO. It seems now – with China cutting a deal with Japan and Australia over WTO – that China’s leadership is committed to entering the WTO by the end of the year. The problem is that negotiations with the United States have not been completed. How would China benefit? WTO membership would help China lock in economic reforms, it would give China’s fledgling private enterprise a boost and it would force Chinese companies to begin to compete – thus improving the lives of Chinese consumers.

Baltimore, MD: Hi, John --

Let's put aside the neutron bomb development for a moment, how do you see today's China as a COMMUNIST country?

Thanks.

Sean

John Pomfret: Thanks, Sean. China is no longer a "totalitarian" country -- like it was in 1980 when I first came here as a student. The amount of basic freedom that many people enjoy is far greater now than it ever was. I mean people can choose their own jobs, often live where they want to live. They can travel abroad. There's a burgeoning rock n roll scene in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. This is not to say the place is a human rights wonderland. But it has really really changed and a lot of Americans don't realize it.

Fairfax, VA:
Yesterday, Clinton and Jiang talked for over thirty minutes by phone. Do you think that China will push the U.S. to sign a "fourth communique" that puts the "three noes" policy into writing?

John Pomfret: Thanks for your question.
China has wanted the US to put the "three nos" into writing since the 1997 summit and they repeated the request during the 1998 summit in China. So far the US has said "no."
However, given the US administration's desire to improve relations with China, I would not be completely surprised if the Americans did it -- but I wouldn't expect it anytime soon.

Hong Kong: Are the Chinese people willing to see Chinese fighting Chinese ? What is now the situation in Matsu? Will Hong Kong become a springboard for China to invade Taiwan?

John Pomfret: I think that within certain circles of the Chinese government -- particularly the military -- there are individual people who are quite powerful who believe that the Taiwan question can be solved by military means. I believe, however, that they are the minority. And I don't think they would use Hong Kong as a springboard if they moved against Taiwan.

Birmingham, AL: Do you think the Chinese over-reaction to their Belgrade embassy being bombed had any basis in reality? I can imagine the American reaction to our embassies being attacked -as in Kenya and Tanzania last year-by a foreign government would be outrage of course, but do the highest levels of the Chinese government truly believe the embassy was purposely targetted, and to what end?

John Pomfret: This is a complex question.
The Chinese reaction to the bombing of their embassy was both self-serving and deeply-felt. Self-serving because the Communist Party could use the sincere outrage felt by many Chinese people at the bombing to divert attention away from the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
It was deeply-felt because Chinese have been taught for years that Western powers -- starting in the 19th century -- have plotted to carve up China. The bombing was viewed as a continuation of that "plot" and so many people really believed it was intentional. As for the leadership -- many of the highest ranking government officials do, indeed, believe that NATO fired those missiles on purpose.

Louisville, Ky:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of covering Taiwan from Beijing?

John Pomfret: There are no advantages from covering Taiwan from Beijing.
I try to go there at least four times a year. And I am going next week. I was there last month.

Milan, Italy: What do you think about the development of a new neutron bomb in the communist nation?
Is it a real risk for occidental democracies?

STEFANO PORRO

John Pomfret: First, China is believed to have possessed neutron bomb technology since 1988. So it's not exactly new. In addition, China's last test of a nuclear device -- in July 1996 -- involved a "sub kilo" blast -- meaning a device of less than 1,000 tons of TNT. That means China also has obtained miniturization technology for its nuclear weapons.
As for what it means for the West -- I think China wants desperately to be recognized as a great power and it views its nuclear arsenal as a guarantor of that power.

Glenmont, MD: Is it true that the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was the center of the entire Chinese intelligence operation in Europe, and this is the reason the Chinese believe the bombing was deliberate?

John Pomfret: I think it is highly debatable that China would center its entire European intelligence collection operation in a warzone. I mean, really.
No doubt, China had intelligence gathering equipment in the embassy -- but so do most if not all embassies. Most if not all embassies also have spies. So, I don't think this is the main reason why the Chinese think NATO purposely destroyed the embassy.

Bethesda, Maryland: Hi John,
Many believe if Taiwan declares independent, Beijing government will act immediately. What is your prediction of the reaction from the U.S. government should this happen? Thanks.

John Pomfret: If Taiwan declares independence I do not think the United States is going to come to the aid of Taiwan.
The US has made that policy pretty clear with the "three nos" announced in Shanghai in July 1998 by President Clinton.

Rockville, Maryland: Hi John,
I treat your China reports, especially those on embassy bombing creditable because you are physically there in Beijing except one episode. In your first 2 or 3 reports of the incident, the student demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Beijing looked like a spontaneous gathering of the student to express their angry over the bombing and the text was a plain and factual statement. That was later changed as “government backed student movement”, a description similar to those made by other news agencies and the U.S. government. I wonder as a new writer in the free world, how do your style and stance get influenced if any, by the government or other new agencies? Thanks.

John Pomfret: Our view of the demonstrations was pretty much consistent from day one. We reported from the beginning that the students were bussed into the center of the city and told to demonstrate. We said the demonstrations were both heartfelt and government-orchestrated -- a combination.
The US government doesn't influence our reporting. And indeed during the demonstrations, US diplomats were pretty hard to find. As for other news services, we read them all and sometimes they influence us -- if we think what they say is interesting -- and sometimes they don't.

washingtonpost.com: We're about halfway through our live discussion with Post reporter John Pomfret. Please continue submitting your questions.

Washington, DC / Tunkhannock, PA: My question actually has two parts to it. If it ever comes to the point ot Mainland China 'invading' Taiwan, do you believe China has the military might--technologically speaking--to be successful? Secondly, do you believe the United States would get involved? I lived in Taiwan for awhile when I was in highschool and I've heard educated people assert both sides of both questionsl; that China could easily defeat Taiwan militarily, and that it would turn into a 'million man swim'. I've also heard both that the US would come to the aid Taiwan and that it would not. What would you argue? Thank you.

John Pomfret: Complicated question -- I hope to write this story soon.
First -- if Taiwan declares independence, I think the US will have a hard time justifying the dispatch of American soldiers to the region to shed blood for Taiwan. So, I think the US will only defend Taiwan if it is attacked without having declared independence.
Second -- as for China's military might. An invasion from the sea would be a military disaster for Beijing. But short of that China could adopt a series of measures that could possibly bring Taiwan to its knees -- a blockade (Taiwan has 33 days worth of oil), electronic and information warfare affecting Taiwan's phone systems and electrical grid, etc. These tactics might be very successful and would be hard for the US to deal with.

Los Angeles, California: How are we going to close the widening -and more and more dangerous- gap in perceptions of the Chinese and Americans toward each other? An article in today's NYTimes -7-18- discusses this gap but little is said of the potential danger that exists as a result. For example, the Chinese believe with all their hearts that we deliberately bombed their embassy in Belgrade and that the US is an imperialist-minded superpower out to crush China. Americans have an equally high degree of misperceptions thinking that the average Chinese craves freedom of speech, is appauled at the one-child policy, and feels oppressed every day by the Communist Party. You know from living there -and especially after interviewing so many average Chinese about their feelings of America after the bombing- and understanding Americans that there is an ever-widening gap in perceptions that mostly conflict with reality. So, what can be done about this? And also, do you think that if nothing is done, the US and China are headed for war?

John Pomfret: The best thing to do to bridge these gaps is
the most boring -- talk -- and talk alot. Twenty years is not a very long time for two countries to get to know each other again -- especially two countries like China and the United States - which spring from such different cultural, religious and geographic sources. I don't think China and the US are headed for war, actually. There are too many common interests and in the end neither side wants to do battle.

Cleveland, OH: China and Taiwan have had periodic tensions in the past. Is this particular period anything that the U.S. should be extraordinarily concerned about?

John Pomfret: I think the US is concerned about the crisis this time because they did so little in 1996 and it almost blew up in its face. Also, this time the crisis is occuring during a downswing in US-China relations -- which makes things even more sensitive.

Bowie, Maryland: Hi! Of all the significant issues around China current today - Taiwan, Tibet, WTO, and protest groups -Falun gong, labor unemployment, democratization, etc.-, which in your opinion, has the highest potential for significant change and immediate crisis but is least appreaiated or understood by Americans?

John Pomfret: I would have to say that China's internal issues are the most misunderstood but also the most significant. Tibet and Taiwan are small issues, actually, when you compare them to unemployment, social unrest, the ripping apart of the moral fabric -- illustrated by Falun gong, the movement in the countryside for more democracy, the growth of rights consciousness in the cities, the slow but steady privatization of the economy etc. These are the big changes happening in China.

Mt. Rainier MD: So, are we saying that if Taiwan just sits quiet and holds its breath, we will agree to ignore the situation? Or are we really prepared to hand this former colony to the Chinese mainland?

John Pomfret: I don't think Washington wants to hand Taiwan to the mainland. But I also don't think Washington wants Taiwan to declare independence. Washington was pretty happy with the status quo -- and with, at least, the perception that Beijing and Taipei were moving closer together.

Seattle, Washington: What is the name of the government that delivers the mail in Taiwan? Do you think America's policy of pretending that government does not exist is helpful and conducive to stability in East Asia?

John Pomfret: The official name of that government is the Republic of China. It is hard to say whether pretending the "ROC"
doesn't exist contributes to stability or instability in Asia. Nixon paid a price for getting China's support against the Soviet Union -- and that price was Taiwan. Subsequent American governments have been saddled with the issue.

Seoul, Korea : Hi John

A very specific question. In your meetings with various Chinese in and outside government, do you get a sense that Beijing would be willing to accept a US-based TMD system in Asia in which the footprint may cover Taiwan, but Japan does not have Navy Theater Wide and the US focuses largely on ground-based systems that would not be easily transportable to the Straits.

Best, Victor Cha

washingtonpost.com: John, please explain to our readers what "TMD" is.

John Pomfret: Victor, No. I think China wants no part of TMD in Taiwan. TMD stands for theater missile defense -- which is a military system to defend a territory against missile attack. Chinese officials appear to be less worried about TMD for Japan. Taiwan is the focus of all of China's military modernization right now. China believes that it will inevitably surpass Taiwan militarily. They want nothing to hamper those efforts.

Los Angeles, CA: It has been reported in the Far Eastern Economic Review and The Economist that the US has been pressuring Taiwan to enter into interim "political" talks with China. Is this story true?

John Pomfret: It is true to a certain extent.
The US would like to see Taiwan and China discuss
political issues. American diplomats have said this publicly on several occasions.

Washington, D.C.: In what areas of cultural- sports exchange can we make a better contribution? What areas are currently most prevelant?

John Pomfret: Cultural exchanges have trouble because China tends to want Americans to come to China and play something that will sell tickets. So they want to see the Nutcracker Suite ballet, or Swan Lake. They are more nervous about some of the livelier aspects of American culture -- like Jazz and rock n roll, experimental dance, and homegrown-American ballet. As for sports, there are lots of exchanges. Basketball is one of America's great exports to the PRC. Michael Jordan is almost as well-known as Mao Zedong in China's cities.

Shanghai, PRC: What would constitute a declaration of Taiwan independence? Changing the name of the Republic of China to Republic of Taiwan? ROC recognition of the PRC? A redefinition of the ROC's borders to be contiguous with Taiwan's borders?

John Pomfret: That is a great question. I don't really know. I guess independence is in the eye of the beholder. And if those scenarios that you laid out below occur, Beijing and Washington would be in a very difficult position, wouldn't they?

TAIPEI,TAIWAN OF REPUBLIC OF CHINA: It's hard to say the island is a country,for me It's only a small island province of REPUBLIC OF CHINA ,From 36 years ago I was born it still the same.
As what I think their are really have two nations fron 1949,but the island is still a small largest Island province of REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
What do you think about It

John Pomfret: When I go to Taiwan I feel that I am in a place that is very , very different from Beijing. But when I went to western Sichuan two weeks ago, I also felt like I am a world away from Beijing as well. One thing though, when I am in Taiwan I still feel like I am in a Chinese universe.

Washington, DC: If China became a democracy today, I would perceive a fragmented China tomorrow: at least Taiwan, Tibet and Sinkiang would declare as independent states immediately. From China's perspective, can they afford democracy today?

John Pomfret: I think China is generally moving in the right direction. As it liberalizes, I think it will be inevitable that people all over the country discuss all sorts of issues. One issue would be independence for Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang. But there would also be people arguing to keep these areas within the embrace of the motherland. Sooner or later, China will confront these issues.

Cambridge, MA: Have you had opportunities to meet visiting congressional delegations? How would you assess their level of understanding of China?

John Pomfret: Very mixed. Some Senators/Congressmen are very well briefed on China. Some just come here to shop.

Phoeniz, Arizona: What is the perception of the Chinese government--and the Chinese people--of the extent of corruption in government owned corporations and in the public sector generally?

John Pomfret: I think everybody in China realizes that corruption in the state-owned sector is outrageous. The question is how to deal with it. The government is still ideologically opposed to wholesale privatization, and it is debatable even that privatization would solve all the corruption problems (see Russia's difficulties). What people do agree on is that official corruption is a growing problem and that it threatens the legitimacy of the Chinese state.

Fairfax, Virginia: I'm having trouble decoding the algebra of U.S. foreign policy with regards to Taiwan's relationship to China. U.S. policy states -1- there is only one China, -2- the PRC government based in Beijing is the sole legitimate government of China, and -3- Taiwan is part of China.Does this mean the U.S. policy is that the PRC government is the sole legitimate government of Taiwan? If so, does not this policy seem be woefully out of touch with reality on the ground and thus highly destablizing?

John Pomfret: You forgot one element of US policy vis-a-vis Taiwan and China --- the Taiwan Relations Act -- which mandates that the US must do what it can to safeguard Taiwan's security. It is a murky law but it is law nonetheless. And in some cases it contradicts the policies you have laid out below.

Glenmont, MD: Do you think that the Chinese are more likely to take military action against Taiwan while Clinton is in power, thinking he will let them get away with more than whoever his successor will be?

John Pomfret: I don't believe China will attack Taiwan at the current time. They might threaten, but they won't fire.

Hong Kong: dear john. it is getting late here in hong kong and i am still at work, so against the better judgment i reserve for better times i will lavish a little praise -- you are the best. you cover china as if you've been there a lot longer than you have- and you've been prolific yet really, really superb -- in everything from north korea to those dueling soap purveyors in sichuan province...

but anyway..

1. What are you making of the new Taiwan crisis? What do you think about those statistics that keep being bandied about -- how 73% of Taiwan agrees with Lee Teng-hui's policy etc -- does this mean Taiwanese voters are still on the Lee's -- and by extension Lien Chan's -- side?

2. I was in Guangzhou recently and was disturbed, though not entirely surprised, by -well just about everything but particularly- the wariness of Han Chinese towards migrant Uyghurs from Xinjiang. It led me to rethink the US's recent opposition to that World Bank development project in Qinghai, which I'd passed off -the opposition, that is- as well-funded Steve Segal-Scientology-spurred hollywood hooting and hollering... what do you think? Is the watering-down of minority populations -- a process the country has been undergoing for -so- long -- something we should even be bothering to oppose at this point?


Thank you, I've been awfully long-winded I realize, but I am a huge, just absolutely adoring fan of yours -- you beat out Ricky Martin and Hello Kitty combined, honestly -- and goodnight.

John Pomfret: Thanks for your note. It's getting late in Beijing as well and I have to continue committing journalism. Thank you all for participating. Goodnight!

washingtonpost.com: And that's all the time we have today. We'd like to thank John Pomfret for staying up late and typing so fast in Beijing so that he could join us today. And be sure to check out our other online discussions.

Thanks to all for participating.

John Pomfret: Thanks all for participating.
It was my first time doing this and I really enjoyed
myself. Best, John

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