Despite China's human rightrs record, the University should accept Jiang on campus today. Jiang's visit will be marked by protests condemning many of his country's policies, including oppression and imprisonment of political dissidents, forced labor and illegal executions. These human rights violations repulse anyone who believes in freedom and liberty, and they rightly should be abhorred. China's loathsome policies, however, should not prevent Jiang's visit to the University. The Chinese government will reap the rewards of a Wharton and Education program that will teach Chinese officials the ways of the free market. And the University, in addition to being recognized as one of only three schools Jiang visits while in the U.S., will long be acknowledged as the institution that has helped bring Western economic principles into a Communist country. Besides, by their mere stature and influence, it is difficult to turn away any political leader from campus -- whether Jiang or President Clinton. While acknowledging Chinese human rights violations, the University should accept Jiang on campus as the major world leader he is. His visit to Penn is properly low-key, consisting not of a public speech or large spectacle, but of a private reception including himself, University President Judith Rodin and a handful of selected guests at the University Museum. After all, what better way to send a message about democracy and principle than to accept those with opposing ideologies?
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