Chapter 7 Chinese people never forget their old friends - Deng Xiaoping and Nixon (2)

Nixon recalled: "My sixth visit to China in 1989 was probably the most sensitive and controversial visit since my first trip 17 years ago. This time, almost all my close friends He strongly advised me not to go." But he still insisted on coming to China. From the first meeting between Deng Xiaoping and Nixon at the White House on January 29, 1979, to October 31, 1989, when Nixon visited China for the sixth time and also met with Deng Xiaoping for the last time, the contacts between Nixon and Deng Xiaoping became a major event in Deng Xiaoping’s diplomatic career. Very special event.This is not only reflected in the profound friendship between them, but also in the fact that their communication is advancing with the times while seeking common ground while reserving differences.

On October 31, 1989, the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People.At this time, Sino-US relations are at a very serious moment.Because at the turn of spring and summer, the Chinese government took decisive measures to quell the political turmoil in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, but it attracted unreasonable accusations from Western countries headed by the United States and sanctioned China.Sino-US relations are facing difficulties.Nixon was visiting China at this time. He was neither the special envoy of the president nor an official of the government, but only came to China as an old friend.

Deng Xiaoping met with him.As soon as we met, Nixon said: "I have been to China many times, and I have been treated and welcomed by you every time." Deng Xiaoping said: "The main thing is that what you have done deserves our appreciation and attention." Then, Nixon talked about the severe test that the current Sino-US relations are facing, hoping to make efforts to change this situation. In 1990, as soon as Nixon’s newly published memoir "On the Arena" opened, he not only reviewed his visit to China in 1972 and met with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai -- no doubt he already regarded opening the door of Sino-US relations as the most important event in his political career. Memorable events and glorious peaks—and he also described in detail the scene of his last meeting with Deng Xiaoping during his sixth visit to China in the fall of 1989, disclosing some important details of the meeting with Deng Xiaoping.He said: Through this meeting with Deng Xiaoping, "I am more convinced than ever that Deng Xiaoping is one of the most important leaders of our time."In his memoirs he described the meeting as follows:

My sixth visit to China in 1989 was probably the most sensitive and controversial since my first trip 17 years earlier.This time, almost all my close friends urged me not to go.They predicted that my critics would condemn me mercilessly.But I believe it is well worth putting your own image at risk in order to do whatever it takes to restore momentum to one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. At the time, I didn't know that President Bush had sent a secret delegation to Beijing in early January. However, even if I knew there was such a delegation, I would have carried out my own plan.I know that my role in bringing about a reconciliation between our two countries has given me the special status of being an "old friend" of China.I know that even if I say something the Chinese leaders don't want to hear, they will listen.To underline the importance of my visit in their minds and to give it a bipartisan nature, I have invited Dr. Michael Oxenberg, a prominent China expert and former senior adviser on China in the Carter Administration come with me.I also consulted with a number of Senators and Representatives from both parties before I left. ...

On October 31, I met with Deng Xiaoping. This may be the last meeting with him.It was also the last time he met with a Western figure before announcing his retirement. I first said to Deng Xiaoping: "I have carefully observed Sino-US relations for 17 years. In this relationship, there has never been a crisis as serious as it is now, because this time it is not China's enemies that are concerned, but China's enemies." Friend. In our talks, we must examine these differences and make amends for the damage done by those who are friendly to China in the United States because of the respect they have for some Chinese leaders."

In some of the earlier meetings of the trip, Deng Xiaoping's colleagues in the leading bodies repeatedly raised views that were clearly current party views.They quoted a Chinese proverb that "the person who untied the bell must tie the bell", saying that the indifference between our two countries is the fault of the United States, because some students' riots are purely internal affairs, and the United States has overreacted to this.Deng Xiaoping was much more sophisticated, saying: "America should take the initiative in ending what happened between us shortly before. China is weak and America is strong. My concern is not just trying to save face. If my colleagues and I If we cannot maintain people's respect for China, we should step down. This is a universal principle." Deng Xiaoping issued the appeal in the voice of an old revolutionary, as the leader of a country that has suffered for generations from foreign domination and exploitation Man demands understanding.

However, at the end of my three-hour open-ended meeting with the Chinese leader, I am more convinced than ever that Deng Xiaoping is one of the most important leaders of our time. During this meeting, Deng Xiaoping said to Nixon sincerely: "Can it be said now that we and the United States should also end the past of these few months and open up the future." Deng Xiaoping told Nixon sincerely: "Unfortunately, the United States is I am too involved in this issue, and I keep blaming China. China is the real victim. China has never done anything wrong to the United States. Everyone can have their own opinions, but we cannot accept other people's wrong accusations. "

During the conversation, Deng Xiaoping sternly pointed out: "This is China's internal affairs. The purpose is to achieve stability, and stability can lead to construction. The reason is very simple: there are so many Chinese people, their foundation is weak, there is no stable and united political environment, and there is no stable social order. Stability overwhelms everything." Deng Xiaoping was very angry at the fake news reported by the "Voice of America" ​​and other American news media. There is no minimum of honesty."At the same time, Deng Xiaoping also warned the US leaders: "If you set the tone and formulate national policies according to the 'Voice of America', you will suffer."

Deng Xiaoping also asked Nixon to tell US President Bush, "To end the past, the United States should take the initiative, and only the United States can take the initiative." He made a realistic analysis, "Because the strong is the United States, the weak is China, and the victim is China. .” When it came to this point, Deng Xiaoping’s tone was particularly tough, showing his unique diplomatic posture.He said: "It is impossible to ask China to beg. Even if it takes a hundred years, the Chinese will not beg for the lifting of sanctions." These talks are now included in the third volume of "Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping" under the title "The United States should take the initiative to end the severe Sino-US relations".We re-read these wonderful dialogues that are profound in a simple way, sonorous and powerful, neither humble nor overbearing, as if we can still feel Deng Xiaoping, as a son of the Chinese people, when he defended the interests and dignity of the motherland, he showed calmness, calmness and nobility.

"If China does not respect itself, China will not be able to stand, the national character will be lost, and the relationship will be too great. Any leader in China who makes a mistake on this issue will collapse, and the Chinese people will not forgive." Finally, Deng Xiaoping He also said emphatically, "This is what I'm telling the truth." After explaining again that state relations should abide by the principle of "non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," Deng Xiaoping emphasized that any interference by external forces "cannot shake the People's Republic of China."Because under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, especially in the past 10 years, the life of the Chinese people has improved day by day.The Chinese people support the policy of reform and opening up, and they are full of hope for the country.Deng Xiaoping said without humility that this "is really good, not fake".He also told Nixon affirmatively: "No one can stop China's reform and opening up from continuing." decline.Deng Xiaoping said confidently: "Whether I am here or not, no matter whether I still hold the post, the series of principles and policies formulated by me over the past 10 years will never change. I believe my colleagues will do so."

At the end of the meeting, Deng Xiaoping said: "After all, the Chinese market has not yet been fully developed, and the United States still has a lot to do to make use of the Chinese market. We welcome American businessmen to continue their commercial activities with China. I am afraid this is also an important part of ending the past." Later, Nixon recalled: "I left China with cautious optimism about the future. . . . The real reason for my optimism was my renewed recognition that, with some necessary continue, and thus inevitably renewed pressure for political reform. Every leader I met expressed strong support for Deng's basic principles of reform. In this regard, I was particularly impressed by some of the younger leaders People....They all know that going back to dogmatism will only lead to a dead end...China will inevitably become an economic and military superpower in the next century due to its huge natural and human resources. At that time, we need China as our friend."