Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
	"Strong diplomatic ties between the United States and China are more important than the imposition of American sanctions against China over alleged civil rights violations."
Please review the arguments for and against the statement and enter your response.
		Pros Countries and their cultures differ; these differences need to be respected. It is wrong to threaten world peace by imposing Western standards on the internal affairs of the world's most populous nation. Besides, more can be accomplished in the advancement of civil rights on a global level through peaceful diplomatic relations. No one, least of all a Chinese leader, likes to lose face by being dictated to. Dialogue, not an externally imposed ultimatum, is what is needed.
		Cons Civil rights belong to all people; they are not culturally exclusive to Americans. It is the duty of the leaders of Western democracies to actively advocate and defend the civil rights of all human beings. Oppression anywhere diminishes the civil rights of all people, including Americans. Without strong American advocacy, there would be no reason for the Chinese government to change. Besides, the argument that diplomatic ties are more important is a thinly veiled attempt on the part of capitalistic enterprise to enlarge its marketplace at the expense of poor people all over the world. Ironically, Western business interests will flourish in Asia when the ordinary Chinese citizen is guaranteed his or her civil rights.
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