The Foreign Service Journal, May 2005

decrease. And for this, private sector or nongovernmental organizations will be the main outside catalysts for change. Nonetheless, a positive overall atmosphere for Sino-American rela- tions is critical to the sustained open- ing-up of Chinese society. Whenever there is a chill in the bilateral atmos- phere, nongovernmental social and cultural programs catch cold. We also need to recognize that the outcome of near- term change will most likely not be the U.S. model of lim- ited government and federalism. Chinese culture still grants the state supreme authority in society, and the country’s historical experience and the legal structure are both closer to a continental European model. U.S. government initiatives should work through inter- national or Asian partnerships whenever possible. Chinese policy is more likely to change when it can be perceived as the result of voluntary participation in regional and interna- tional activities, rather than as a forced response to bilateral pressure to serve U.S. interests. The PRC’s future will be shaped by strong ties with global Chinese networks based in the U.S., Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. These societies have made the best eco- nomic showings in Asia, and the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan provide a pragmatic rationale for mainland reforms that might close the institutional gap in non-economic arenas and thus keep open the possibility of future unification through a convergence of systems and complementari- ty of cultures. Outside actors need to think beyond “China” as a single national entity and begin to deal creatively with the reality of varied local situations and the needs of F O C U S M A Y 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 45 Economic growth in China has already produced a much more pluralistic society. Get Your Finances In Line With SDFCU Online You can depend on State Department Federal Credit Union for the ultimate in security and convenience with SDFCU Online banking. This FREE service allows you to access your Credit Union accounts via the Internet anytime, from anywhere in the world. Just go to www.sdfcu.org and click the SDFCU Online logo. You can conduct the following Credit Union business: Transfer funds between accounts Check current account balances View your account history over the last 15 months View check images View and pay your credit card bill online Pay Bills and much more!* See just how easy SDFCU Online is! Visit us at www.sdfcuonline.org and check out the easy demo! If you’re interested in becoming a member of State Department Federal Credit Union, give our Member Service Center a call at 703- 706-5000 , or outside the D.C. Metro area at 800-296-8882 . You can also email us at sdfcu@sdfcu.org . SDFCU Online puts us at your service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever you need us the most. Sign up today! *The Bill Payer service is available at no charge for Capital Club members. Otherwise, there is a low monthly fee of $3.95 for unlimited transactions.