The recent Hainan Island detainee crisis?where 24 American soldiers were held hostage by the Chinese government?gave the American people a true view of the relationship between the United States and China. The situation resulted from an accidental airborne collision with Chinese pilot Wang Wei, and an emergency landing in restricted Chinese territory. Through the ensuing 11-day diplomatic crisis, we were able to see the cold war- like confrontations which the United States and China are now developing.

In the political stalemate, which now defines the relationship between the two economically intertwined nations; the American consumer must become the weapon, which the U.S. government desperately needs to combat Chinese belligerence. For if our society boycotted Chinese products?thus placing patriotic principle before economic self-preservation?we could become the weapons that would instill an unrivalled frustration in the Chinese world. Therein our society (not government) should instill an American unity that fades and reappears as often as such opposition rises.

As to avoid any misinterpretations (which result in letters likening me to Hitler and King Henry VIII) my position is that boycotting China would allow the American citizen to combat China while allowing the United States government to keep good diplomatic relations. Thus society could say that every day that it takes for our EP3 airplane to return home, we as citizens would go one week without purchasing a Chinese product. This mind-set would allow the government to play good cop and claim it is out of their hands. Therein, opposition would rise from Chinese companies questioning their government, and they might even fork over money to convince Beijing to return the jet. Can you imagine the power if President Bush were able to tell President Jiang Zemin, “Heck, I want you to keep the jet, but those pesky Americans back at home, they?re all pretty upset and won?t buy your products. Hey, you?re still my favored nation, but those rascals, they want to destroy your economy.”

The power a boycott would possess can only be understood if one were to examine the political deadlock and atmosphere, which has empowered China to peer into the eyes of the world superpower and not blink. China did not receive the most favored nation status as a fluke; the United States gains a lot from relations with China. Wherein China helps the United States economically, the close governmental relationship that results from a favored nation status is a strategic tactic which allows the United States to improve relations and keep tabs on a very unstable powerhouse.

And there is no doubt that China is unstable, mainly due to the military?s pressure on President Jiang Zemin to be tough on the United States. Adding to the deadlock is China?s fear of a war with the United States, though war would be somewhat detrimental to America. Lastly, complicating the relationship even more is the Taiwan stalemate (which has the makings of another Vietnam and another column). Therein, the only way, short of war, to effectively combat the Chinese military?s (People?s Liberation Army) pressure on President Jiang Zemin is to cut their economic trade relations.

As students on this campus we must lead the way and instill a boycott of Chinese products. Though monetary losses are sure to ensue, we would be protecting something far more worthy than ourselves. Additionally, we would be relieving diplomatic pressure and giving the power to the people.

Joshua Wood is an undeclared student. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].