Chapter 11 Won the hearts of the American people - Deng Xiaoping and Bush (3)

When the convoy drove to Tiananmen Square, Bush suddenly asked the driver to stop, stepped out of the car, laughed and shook hands with the crowd.Bush became the first foreign politician to address the Chinese people directly on Chinese television. "Deng Xiaoping is respected all over the world. He is a thinker who is good at thinking about major global issues. Even in some small things, Deng Xiaoping left a deep impression on people." (Deng Xiaoping) "He won the hearts of the American people .” Bush's first visit to Beijing as president was naturally opposed by conservatives.However, the death of Japanese Emperor Hirohito in early 1988 brought an opportunity for Bush to visit Asia. On January 11, General Scowcroft, who had already been designated as the National Security Advisor of the White House, paid a visit to Han Xu and formally notified the Chinese government that Bush was visiting Beijing after attending the funeral of the Japanese Emperor. On January 26, six days after Bush was sworn in, the White House publicly announced that Bush would pay a working visit to China from February 25 to 26.After arriving in Japan, Bush told Japanese Prime Minister Akira Takeshita that this visit was his fifth visit to China since he left Beijing in 1975, and he felt "homesick" for Beijing.

On the afternoon of February 25, Bush's special plane arrived in Beijing.Thousands of welcome crowds gathered along the way.When the convoy drove to Tiananmen Square, Bush suddenly asked the driver to stop, stepped out of the car, laughed and shook hands with the crowd, waved, and said loudly like long-lost friends, "It's a pleasure to see you again." And Mrs. Group photo in front of Tiananmen Square. When Bush met Premier Li Peng and his wife who came to welcome them at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Bush's first words were: "We are back again." Deng Xiaoping's Respect: "Deng Xiaoping is respected all over the world. He is a thinker who is good at thinking about major global issues. Even in some small things, Deng Xiaoping left a deep impression on people. My wife and I ended up in Beijing. During the term of office, Deng Xiaoping held an exceptional small banquet for us, which we still cannot forget. Now that I come to China as the president, I will never forget the courtesy Deng Xiaoping gave me back then."

Likewise, Deng Xiaoping respected Bush very much. On February 27, the "People's Daily" used a rare headline when reporting Deng Xiaoping's meeting with Bush at noon on the 26th -- "Deng Xiaoping Meets and Treats His Old Friend Bush".In Deng Xiaoping's diplomatic activities throughout his life, it was the first time that he used warm and personal words like "old friend" to describe his relationship with Western leaders.In this regard, Bush later wrote in his memoirs: "(Deng Xiaoping) is not just the usual politeness, but an acknowledgment of my understanding of the importance of Sino-US relations and the necessity of maintaining this relationship. I will always admire this few The ups and downs of strong leaders have brought about positive changes in China."

At 11 a.m. on February 26, Deng Xiaoping walked out of the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People unusually, greeted Bush outside the door, and said to Bush: "Welcome from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for visiting China soon after you became President of the United States. In addition, the two of us Still old friends." Bush hastily interjected, "I'm very glad to see that you look so good." At this time Li Xiannian stepped forward, shook hands with Bush, and said, "Congratulations on your election as president." Bush smiled and said, "Oh, another Old friend." When asking journalists to take pictures, Deng Xiaoping added: "Let's hold hands."

After entering the hall and the talks started, Deng Xiaoping said to Bush: "You are an athlete. That's why you are in good health." "I try to keep exercising and try to find time for jogging," Bush said. Deng Xiaoping said: "It is good to have some physical exercise. We have a common sport hobby, which is playing bridge." Bush quickly said, "You played really well." "It's hard to say. We haven't played bridge together yet. However, even if we play bridge together, it's still a friendly match." Deng Xiaoping also said that because it was a working visit, the relevant etiquette was simplified, and he invited Bush to come again next time official visit.

Bush said: "Thank you very much for this invitation. Next time I come, I will definitely find a chance to go outside." "However, I think your working visit, although only two days, is more important than the official visit." Deng Xiaoping said. During this meeting, Deng Xiaoping and Bush not only discussed serious topics such as the strategic interests between China and the United States, but also reminisced among friends.Deng Xiaoping once again praised Bush's role in the development of Sino-US relations, and delivered an important speech entitled "The Overriding is Stability", which has been compiled into the third volume of "Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping".Bush also said: "I assure you, at the end of my four-year term, Sino-US relations will be stronger and better than they are now."

After the talks, Deng Xiaoping held a luncheon for Bush in the Great Hall of the People.At the banquet, Deng Xiaoping introduced China's reform, opening up and democracy building to Bush. In response to the accusations made by some conservative public opinion in the United States on China's human rights situation, he said: "Our ultimate goal is to develop socialist democracy, but hastily It won’t work. …Democracy is our goal, but the country must remain stable, and the situation in China, a developing country, cannot be judged from the viewpoint of Western developed countries.” Deng Xiaoping’s very important addition at the banquet was aimed at the United States Talked about human rights issues raised by some domestic congressmen and human rights organizations.

At the thank-you banquet that ended on the 26th, Bush said affectionately: "Part of the reason we hold the Texas barbecue dinner is that Chairman Deng became an honorary citizen of Texas when he visited the United States. I would like to add that he won the honor of the American people. heart of." Bush insisted on visiting China against all opinions. Although he encountered some domestic pressure, he achieved positive results.During Bush's visit to China, the Chinese government made an exception and allowed him to speak on CCTV and be interviewed by Chinese journalists.After the 15-minute interview program was aired in prime time on the evening of the 26th, the response was strong.Bush thus became the first foreign politician to address the Chinese people directly on Chinese television.

In his speech, Bush said that the reason why he visited China one month after he became president was to show the importance the US attaches to US-China relations.He said: "The relationship between the United States and China is one of the most important foreign relations of the United States." He also said, "The United States is ready to make more efforts to promote economic and trade exchanges between the United States and China, and do its utmost to provide China with advanced technology." After Bush's visit, Sino-US relations showed a good development trend in economic, cultural and military aspects.