Chinese reforms

China has moved to ease restrictions on the number of children couples may have while limiting the reasons people can be sent to labor camps.  From a humanitarian standpoint, this is a positive first step in the right direction.  Within China, this signals the Communist government feels pressured to adapt to changing times and attitudes.  Its Peoples are starting to have a voice.  For Westerners, this means China may well be interested in doing more to conform to international norms, thus outside pressure appears to have greater influence on the Beijing.  In practice, countries like the US can use an emerging trend of embracing comfortable reforms to push socioeconomic changes that address China’s broader and long-term interests.  In other words, Chinese leaders may be more willing to recognize and address American grievances, because they recognize a failure to do so harms them in the long run.  Either way, these mild reforms are good for everyone.