China and the other nations to which RFA broadcasts have not been thrilled with the honor. Since last year. the Chinese have attempted to jam Radio Free Asia broadcasts. And this week. the Beijing government rescinded visas it had previously issued for three RFA reporters who had sought to accompany President Clinton on his trip to China. The decision by China to rescind the visas is deeply regrettable. Had it admitted the journalists. the Chinese government would have provided a manifest demonstration that it had turned a cornerthat it is willing to open up its system to greater pluralism and scrutiny. China wants to be a great power. But Great Powers do not obstruct the flow of information into and out of the country. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to "seek. receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." If China is to be a modern nation. it should adhere to this universal standard. There is. however. some good news lurking in the decision of the Chinese government to block the visas for RFA reporters: China must be worried about the effect of RFAs broadcasts. In other words. the broadcasts are getting throughdespite the efforts to jam itand people are listening. Information is subversive of tyranny. as are western investment and exchanges. and the Communist government in China apparently recognizes that Radio Free Asia threatened its attempts to control news and information.