Secretary of State Hillary Clinton goes to China

We knew going in that Sec. of State Hillary Clinton was going to essentially ignore human rights issues and the like and instead focus on economic and financial needs between the two countries but according to this Op-Ed from the Boston Globe she missed a huge opportunity making the case that "...China's policies on human rights and its treatment of grassroots political movements could have a greater impact on the United States and international relations than economic or climatic issues." I suppose the Op-Ed writer also happened to miss this part of Mrs. Clinton's trip:

After discussing human rights with her Chinese interlocutors, she met at the American embassy with women activists who work for non-governmental organizations that deal with such human rights issues as poverty, health care and gender equality. She also went to church on Sunday before heading for the airport in an attempt to demonstrate her interest in religious freedom.

How does one make this case with any seriousness when our entire financial sector is over without Chinese money? China, as of Nov. 2008, held 22.10% of our national debt. Although this:

Demands for political change in China will continue. The Obama administration should give more attention to human rights issues in China and support those who advocate peaceful political reforms.

is right, there are times when things other than worrying about social issues of other countries are far more imperative; specifically when China is already easing off buying our debt. More often than not, pragmatism is the best way to go, as explained by Frank Ching on The China Post.

Sec. of State Clinton probably had to sooth over hurt feelings due to Sec.of Treasury Geithner's claim that China manipulates there currency. As this article notes clearly, China is too big a player and must be utilized.

Mrs. Clinton herself gave the right response to criticism she should've focused on social issues.

"We pretty much know what they are going to say" on human rights issues such as greater freedoms for Tibet..."We have to continue to press them. But our pressing on those issues can't interfere" with dialogue on other crucial topics.

We need China to work with us regarding North Korea, Iran, and the on going pirate issue that China recently dispatched ships to help deal with. These are all matters that require cooperation between Washington and Beijing if they are to be properly managed. Cooperation doesn't happen if all you're doing is poking someone in the eye.

It is rather ironic that some are okay with grandstanding and isolating a country over human rights issues (China) but deplores grandstanding and isolating over a nuclear weapons program (North Korea).