President George W. Bush will join other world leaders at the 11th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 20-21. The meeting of the heads of 21 economies bordering both sides of the Pacific Ocean1 provides a unique opportunity for President Bush to advance American economic and security interests in Asia. Major items on the President's agenda should be:
China has been a member of the World Trade Organization for almosttwo years but is still dragging its heels on fulfilling its WTOcommitments. Because it is clear that China will not change itsbehavior unless it faces credible prospects of retaliation,persuading it to comply with its WTO obligations will take acombination of economic leverage and diplomatic pressure.
China has potential to become a valuable, cooperative, constructivemember of the Asia-Pacific economic community; but it could alsobecome the opposite-a fearsome, aggressive, and militaristic power.How Beijing addresses its differences with Taiwan will be thebellwether of China's future role in Asia.