Special report:   2008 Olympic Games     

    LOS ANGELES, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A committee of Chinese American leaders in a broad range of professions on Thursday voiced opposition to boycotting the Beijing Olympics, saying such action "could be counterproductive."

    "Beijing has chosen the theme of 'One World, One Dream' for the2008 Olympics. We hope that the Chinese leadership is committed to this goal, and we believe that the international community -- governments, businesses and members of civil society -- should work with, not against, China and the Chinese people to live up to this ideal," the Committee of 100 said in a statement issued at its annual meeting here.

    The committee said its members "are concerned that the protest against the 2008 Olympics could be counterproductive."

    "Rather than improving China's position on human rights, these protests and potential boycotts could isolate China at a time when the vast majority of Chinese citizens look forward to opening up their country to the world this summer," said the statement.

    While calling on the United States to engage, rather than confront China, the statement said it was vital to the U.S. interest to continue to work with China on human rights, as well as on a host of other critical global issues.

    These issues included ending the proliferation of nuclear weapons, achieving security on the Korean Peninsula and addressing climate change, energy security and global economic development.

    "We also believe that China, in turn, must continue to engage the world even on the most vexing and contentious issues," the statement noted.

    While commending China's open-door policy which has transformed China and lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese out of isolation and poverty in the past 30 years, the statement said "more remains to be done in order for China to become a respected and responsible stakeholder in world affairs."

    "China cannot focus simply on achieving extraordinary economic growth, or fielding a dazzling Olympics," the statement said.

    Founded in 1989, the Committee of 100 is an independent, non-profit membership organization, with its dual mission of encouraging stronger relationship between the U.S. and Chinese people and of encouraging the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life.