To the editor:

In his May 26 letter, Gary Bjorge is “deeply distressed” that Chancellor Robert Hemenway “stands in silent support” of China’s suppression of dissent in Tibet and elsewhere.

I seriously doubt that Chancellor Hemenway or the University of Kansas supports the suppression of dissent anywhere. However, this rapidly emerging Chinese economy is in a position to challenge even the United States as the world’s leading producer of goods and services. China is closely followed by neighboring India to be in line as the world’s economic leaders within the next 20-40 years.

Communist China is frantically re-inventing itself into a form of capitalist society in order to satisfy the needs of its exploding middle-class population of consumers. Why should we (and KU) not aid and assist this nation of more than one billion people in their remarkable transformation from an underperforming subsistence economy into the world’s most dynamic economy? That country has made tremendous progress thus far and needs more time and the world’s encouragement.

Our university and its chancellor are acting appropriately in helping China emerge, whereas our government should lead the way toward encouraging China to improve its treatment of citizens, dissenters and neighbors. As China grows into its place among economic leaders, its government will become more aware of its public relations effect on their worldwide customer base. That nation has come a long way in a short period – give them time.

Richard M. Hassur,

Lawrence