Chapter 10 Won the hearts of the American people - Deng Xiaoping and Bush (2)

"For me, the importance of China is obvious. I very much want to return to China before Deng Xiaoping leaves office completely. I feel that I have a special relationship there." For four consecutive years, Bush spent Christmas "Christmas Eve" at the official residence of the Chinese ambassador to the United States with his grandparents and grandchildren.Han Xu told Bush that when Deng Xiaoping met with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Lukacs, he said: "In the U.S. presidential election, I will also vote for Bush." In 1980, Reagan was elected president.As the vice president, Bush has been working for 8 years since then.However, Sino-US relations at this time became more complicated because of the "Taiwan Relations Act" passed by both houses of the US Congress in March 1979.Reagan's policy and attitude towards China at this time were also very unfriendly.Facing criticism and protests from China, Reagan had no choice but to send Bush to China to clarify the facts and explain the reasons, hoping that China would believe that the Reagan administration would be an "unfettered gunner" in maintaining good relations between the United States and China. What you say doesn't have to be taken seriously.

Bush met with Deng Xiaoping again.But Bush's visit was not a success.During the meeting on August 22, Deng Xiaoping refuted Reagan's campaign against China and criticized Bush's explanation, and asked Bush to convey four points to Reagan: 1. The Chinese government hopes that the development of Sino-US relations should not stagnate, let alone regress.The Chinese government firmly opposes any remarks and actions that backtrack from the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. 2. No matter which party is in power after the US election in 1980, the Chinese government will regard its policy toward China as one of the most important signs when evaluating and judging the US government’s strategic decisions and foreign relations, because this is a global strategic issue , is not a local problem.

3. If the China policy part of the Republican election platform (including the Taiwan policy) and Mr. Reagan's recent remarks are really put into practice, it will only lead to a retreat in Sino-US relations, and it is impossible to even stagnate. 4. If you think that China is afraid of the Soviet Union and wants to ask the United States, so that once the China policy proposals in the Republican election platform of the United States and the relevant remarks made by Mr. Reagan are put into practice, China will have no choice but to swallow them, but that is completely wrong delusion. But on the Taiwan issue, Reagan's wrong policy led to a sharp struggle between China and the United States.To break the deadlock, Vice President Bush visited China in May 1982 and met with Deng Xiaoping.

At 10 a.m. on May 8, Deng Xiaoping met with Bush in the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Deng Xiaoping said: "We have known each other for several years. I know that you know China better. As a friend of China, we sincerely welcome you. I hope that some shadows and clouds that exist between us can be swept away in Beijing this time. " Bush said: "We feel that the relationship between the two countries is very important. President Reagan also expressed this. I hope that when I leave your country, both sides will have a deep understanding of the fundamental nature of this relationship."

Deng Xiaoping listened with a smile. At this time, Bush suddenly changed the subject and asked humorously: "Is your cowboy hat still there? You wore a cowboy hat when you visited Texas in the United States, and it was later published in a newspaper, which is more helpful than any photo. Strengthen the relationship between our two countries." As a shrewd and capable diplomat, Bush brought a heavy topic into a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere with his smart and deft questions.This can't help but remind people of Deng Xiaoping's first visit to the United States in early 1979, which was later hailed as the "starting" journey of Sino-US relations.

On the morning of February 2, 1979, Deng Xiaoping and his wife Zhuo Lin flew from Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, the hometown of President Carter, to Houston, the capital of Texas.After the special plane arrived at Ellington Air Force Base, it was warmly welcomed by the people of Texas.Governor Clements said to Deng Xiaoping: "In Texas, you are the most popular people. We Texans have great curiosity about China. We are very happy that you are here." Texas is the state with the most cattle in the United States. "Western Cowboys" and cattle training are famous all over the world. Many famous Hollywood western blockbusters have been filmed here.In Texas, Deng Xiaoping and his wife visited the Lincoln Johnson Space Center.Deng Xiaoping also personally sat on the simulated space shuttle in the space center to experience the life of flying.In the evening, Deng Xiaoping attended a barbecue banquet and horse show with a strong American western style specially held for him.

The banquet and horse show were held in Simonton, 50 miles away from Houston.When Deng Xiaoping and Zhuo Lin, who was wearing a gray cowboy hat, came to the arena after the banquet, the audience applauded enthusiastically. Before the performance began, two ladies on white horses invited Deng Xiaoping and Vice Foreign Minister Fang Yi who was accompanying him to the audience, and presented them with a brand-new white cowboy hat with a raised brim.Deng Xiaoping and Fang Yi happily put it on their heads immediately.Then, Deng Xiaoping and his wife were invited to ride around the arena for two weeks in a 19th-century carriage, and waved to the enthusiastic cheering American people, winning cheers and applause from the American audience.

Unexpectedly, because Deng Xiaoping wore an American cowboy hat, the shops selling cowboy hats outside the venue suddenly prospered. The cowboy hats in some stores were quickly sold out, and the price also skyrocketed. A hat was as high as 30 U.S. dollars , is still in short supply.The next day, the large photo and TV footage of Deng Xiaoping wearing a cowboy hat spread throughout the world through major news media in the United States and became a big news.Some media commentators said: "Deng wore a cowboy hat with a symbol of American culture, which was unimaginable in the era when Mao's radicals were in power. This shows China's reform and opening up."

During Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States this time, Deng Xiaoping also met with Bush and accepted two animal movies that Bush personally presented to his grandchildren. Amid the relaxed and happy laughter, the talk got to the point. Bush first told Deng Xiaoping a message from President Reagan.Bush said: "President Reagan and the US government want the US-China relationship to continue. We will do everything possible to avoid doing anything that will embarrass the Chinese government. But at the same time we must abide by our domestic laws, although this domestic law China doesn't accept it, it thinks it interferes in China's internal affairs. We have to work hard to solve this difficult problem."

Deng Xiaoping said: "The "Taiwan Relations Act" has deeply touched us. We really believe that it itself is a violation of China's sovereignty. If Sino-US relations are handled according to the "Taiwan Relations Act," as long as this thing exists, the two countries will The relationship is not only shadowed, but also in danger of being damaged. Now we need to find a way out, so as not to affect Sino-US relations because of this law. I think there is a way.” "During the Carter administration, we made representations and protests on the "Taiwan Relations Act" many times. But in fact, you not only implemented this law, but also went beyond the scope of this law, mainly the Taiwan issue and Taiwan arms sales. question."

Next, Deng Xiaoping reviewed the meeting with Bush in August 1980.Said: "Last time, the Vice President and I talked about some erroneous views and erroneous views of the United States on China. Some people in the United States believe that China is insignificant, that China has nothing to ask from the United States, and the United States has nothing to ask from China; If the U.S. adopts a tough posture and regards being tough on the Soviet Union as its own strategy, then no matter how the U.S. handles the Taiwan issue, China will swallow it.” At this point, Bush immediately interjected, "I can tell you that this is not the view of the current President of the United States. It is not." Deng Xiaoping said: "Let me tell you frankly, we pay close attention to the words and actions of the U.S. government. We do hope to make friends with the U.S., but they must be real friends. President Reagan said so many words during the campaign, so, in 1980 Our conversation in August was not pleasant." Seeing Deng Xiaoping being so frank, Bush nodded and said, "It's really unpleasant, but we can understand." "Of course, those words at that time were not aimed at you." Deng Xiaoping immediately added. This sentence somewhat comforted Bush, and his tense expression relaxed again, saying: "President Reagan has made a lot of unfriendly remarks towards China in the past, but it must be noted that now he has a great influence on the importance of Sino-US relations." In order to understand better, I have seen more clearly that what he is now implementing is the 'one China' policy. He has sold fewer weapons to Taiwan than previous presidents. Even Carter, Mondale and other Democrats have expressed to China that, No U.S. president can propose a date to stop arms sales to Taiwan. The current administration hopes to resolve the issue of arms sales to Taiwan, hopes that Sino-US relations will continue, and try to find a solution.” "We attach great importance to action." Deng Xiaoping's tone was still very strong, "The US leader must promise to gradually reduce or even completely terminate arms sales to Taiwan within a certain period of time. To come to an understanding or an agreement." During this meeting, Deng Xiaoping hoped from the very beginning that Bush's visit to Beijing would "swipe away some dark clouds and mists existing between the two countries."But after the start of the talks, the differences of opinion between the two sides are still very large.Bush said at the time: The United States does not agree to commit to a timetable for stopping arms sales to Taiwan, but this does not mean that it will continue to sell arms to Taiwan indefinitely in the future.Deng Xiaoping emphasized that the U.S. leader must commit to gradually reducing or even completely terminating arms sales to Taiwan within a certain period of time.Bush's visit made it possible for the negotiations between the two sides to advance.After arduous negotiations, the two sides finally reached an agreement on July 15, 1982, and jointly issued the "August 17 Communiqué" on August 17.The separate meeting between Deng Xiaoping and Bush lasted an hour. From October 13 to 18, 1985, Bush visited China for the fourth time.Bush once again met with major Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping.During this meeting, Deng Xiaoping said that Sino-US relations generally appear to be normal. There have been some turmoil in the middle, and through consultations, mutual understanding has been reached, and the problems have been resolved to a certain extent, but they have not been completely resolved.The main issue in the relationship between the two countries is the Taiwan issue. If this issue is resolved, Sino-US relations can develop smoothly in various fields.It should be said that during the eight years that Bush served as vice president in the Reagan administration, he made some efforts for the development of Sino-US relations. During this visit, Deng Xiaoping and Bush discussed some changes in Chinese society and Bush's impression of China. Deng Xiaoping asked, "What's your impression?" Bush replied: "Beijing has undergone many changes in terms of transportation, new buildings, etc." Deng Xiaoping was very happy to talk about domestic reforms to Bush. He said: "The main changes will take another three years. The reform of the urban economic system has been carried out for more than a year, and it will take another three to four years to bear fruit. Urban reforms It is much more complicated than the rural reform, and in a sense it is a revolution. The success of the reform will create the conditions for China to achieve long-term, stable, sustained and balanced development not only in this century but also in the next century." "So, if the reforms are successful, what will be the obvious changes after three years?" Bush asked without losing the opportunity. "Reform is a kind of experiment. Because it is too complicated and lacks experience, we can only explore one step at a time and sum up the experience of one step. It is understandable that people have certain worries or doubts about such new things. The fact that the reform is successful Eliminate such worries and doubts." "So are you satisfied with the rural reform?" "Rural reform is successful. The 'Third Plenary Session' decided that the reform should start from the countryside first, because China is characterized by the fact that the rural population accounts for 80% of the country's population. Whether China is stable depends first on whether the rural areas are stable. Some people are very worried about implementing a responsibility system to mobilize the enthusiasm of farmers. Almost half of the provinces and cities did not take any action in the first year of the reform, and they will catch up in the second year. I hope you will come to China after a while , Take a look, visit or travel, you are welcome, you are welcome to be a witness of our China's development process." With regard to Sino-US relations, Deng Xiaoping once again pointed out in this meeting: The issue that really affects Sino-US relations is still the Taiwan issue. If this issue is not resolved, our two families will clash again at some point or under what circumstances.At the same time, both sides believe that China and the United States should increase trade and sign an agreement as soon as possible. At the end of 1988, as the 41st president of the United States, Bush expressed his desire to visit China when he was preparing to enter the White House. On November 21, Bush responded to the policy proposal of Brzezinski, the national security adviser during the Carter administration, saying: "I have not given much thought to the institutionalization of our establishment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We are currently Focusing on the region almost exclusively in the context of bilateral relations. For me, the importance of China is obvious. I would very much like to return to China before Deng Xiaoping leaves office completely. I feel that I have a special relationship there .” It is worth noting that Bush not only said that he hoped to "return to China", but also that this "special relationship" was also manifested in the fact that during his tenure as vice president, the "Christmas Eve" was held at the official residence of the Chinese ambassador to the United States for four consecutive years. spent.At the invitation of Han Xu, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Bush brought three generations of grandparents and grandchildren to celebrate the festival with the Chinese. And at the dinner on December 22, 1988, Bush's identity was already the president-elect.Such a dinner is rare in Washington, the world's diplomatic center, and it makes America's European allies or Eastern allies Japan jealous.At the dinner that day, Han Xu told Bush that when Deng Xiaoping met with the visiting US Secretary of Defense Lukacs, he said: "In the US presidential election, I will also vote for Bush." I decided to run for the presidency when I visited the Three Gorges in 1977." He said that he definitely wanted to visit Beijing before Deng Xiaoping retired.