U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has written a brief article in Foreign Policy arguing that Washington should begin to restrict the number of visas issued to Chinese journalists in response to Beijing’s recent crackdown on foreign journalists (Chinese journalists are not have having an easy time of it either).

Rohrabacher compares the the struggles of American journalists in China unfavourably to the environment enjoyed by Chinese reporters in America.  In light of the intimidation and obstruction faced by Western reporters covering China, Rohrabacher proposes that the U.S. should be guided by the concept of reciprocity when deciding whether to issue a visa to a Chinese journalist.  Visas would be issued on a one-to-one basis.

It strikes me that retaliating in a tit for tat fashion is an ill-conceived notion.  Allowing Chinese journalists free access to America, Washington is able to emphasise that it is an open society, welcomes new ideas, even criticism, and remain a beacon for those Chinese who would like to see China develop a free press.

By allowing, for example, Xinhua journalists to cover a Presidential election, or anti-war protests, Washington highlights the chasm between how America and China choose their leaders or react to free assembly.  The comparison does not flatter Beijing.  In the battle for soft power, this is an easy victory for the U.S.