The relationship between China and the United States has been rather strained . . . According to [the ancient poet Su Dongpo], men will have sorrow and joy, they will meet and part, and the moon will have a bright side and a dim side, and it will wax and wane. Things have always been like this, since olden times.
China and the United States have important influence in the world. Development of a long-term stable and good relationship would not only serve the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples, but would also be conducive to prosperity in the world, in particular in the Asia-Pacific region. But regrettably, the U.S. side contravened commitments it had made by allowing Lee Tenghui to visit the United States, thus causing serious difficulties to Sino-U.S. relations. The American side has expressed that it recognizes the seriousness and the sensitivity of such incidents, and that in the future the U.S. would adopt strict restrictive measures.
In late October I am going to New York for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the U.N., and I will have a formal meeting with President Clinton. I am ready to adopt a positive and pragmatic attitude toward this meeting, and have an in-depth exchange of views. We hope this meeting will have a positive impact and work toward the improvement of our bilateral relations.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Following World War II, when Taiwan was returned to China after 50 years of occupation by Japanese imperialists, people my age were very excited. Then, after years of struggle, the Chinese Communist Party finally overthrew the reactionary regime headed by ChiangKaishek. Taiwan would have been liberated long ago if there had not been the Korean War, if the American Seventh Fleet had not been sent to patrol the Taiwan Strait. So China’s 1.2 billion people have become keenly sensitive to the Taiwan question.
After we got information that Lee Teng-hui was going to visit Cornell University, we raised this issue officially before the State Department of the United States. Secretary of State Christopher firmly replied that if Lee Teng-hui’s visit took place, it would represent the violation of the joint U.S.-Sino communiques. However, after seven or eight days, all of a sudden, the White House announced the decision allowing Lee Teng-hui to visit, and they said it was consistent with the principles enshrined in the communiques. According to the Chinese proverb, with one turn of the hand you can produce clouds; with another turn of the hand you can produce rain. What I mean is, they always have a justification. They think they are always right. China has a record of being bullied and humiliated by various powers. The founding of the People’s Republic of China puts an end to that, so this is unacceptable to China. This is a hegemonic act. This is not the right way to treat others as equals.
The American government, including President Clinton himself, repeatedly indicated its willingness to establish an equal partnership with a strong, stable and open China. We appreciate that. But what is most important is to match words with deeds. Some people in America advocate a policy of containment. If the containment policy prevails, then history would be going backward rather than forward. It will not block China’s development, and in the end it will hurt the United States.
Recently, U.S. senators and other friends assured me that the U.S. is not opting for containment. I said, “Yes, I believe you. But how can I be sure others won’t adopt a policy of containment?” Sometimes I hear containment, engagement. Sometimes I hear containment mixed with engagement. Later I find out that this is called American democracy. On our part, we have no desire to see a worsening of the relationship. The U.S. is the biggest developed capitalist country, and China is the biggest developing country. We bear a common purpose to bring the world into a peaceful 21st century.
