Governor Pataki’s plan to avoid raising human rights issues on his trip to Communist China appears to have changed, we’d like to think because of the publication of our September 14 editorial “Pataki in Red China.” Mr. Pataki said Thursday in a video press conference from IBM’s office in Shanghai, “as Americans we will always be concerned about people’s personal rights and individual freedom and continue to urge the government to allow more of that.” While expressing support for America’s “one China” policy, he said that, “In Taiwan, there is very real political freedom.” And he said, “we have to continue to raise the issue and fight to have greater human rights in China.”

Good for the governor. It’s important that these points be made at every step of the way. Mr. Pataki issued a press release about the trip, in which he said: “It is obvious that given China’s rapidly expanding economy, a democratic China is inevitable.” The fact is, however, that a democratic China is not inevitable, which is why it is so important that, as the governor said, Americans “have to continue to raise the issue.” Along with those brave Chinese who are willing to take on the Communist authorities.

Last week we said that Mr. Pataki had the opportunity to make New York proud by raising freedom issues rather than focusing solely on trade while in China. The governor did so. He said, “No society can expect to be strong economically if it does not grant basic freedoms to its people. Freedom is not a cultural characteristic, it is a basic human right.” All in all, the governor avoided the error of focusing only on trade and instead spoke up for the values of America. Count it as one of the early tests of his presidential campaign.