Chapter 17 The handshake between "Dr. Mimeograph" and the American doctor——Deng Xiaoping and Kissing (5)

Deng Xiaoping said to Kissinger: "You are one of the foreign friends I meet the most." Kissinger said to Deng Xiaoping: "You are the chief architect of China's reform." It has been three years since Deng Xiaoping and Kissinger met again. In January 1979, Deng Xiaoping was invited to visit the United States.Like Nixon, Kissinger naturally became the person Deng Xiaoping would meet when he visited the United States.At the grand state banquet held by President Carter, Deng Xiaoping said in his answer to the banquet: "Our two countries have been in a state of mutual isolation and confrontation for 30 years. Now this abnormal situation has finally passed. At this moment, we especially miss Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai opened the way for the normalization of Sino-US relations during their lifetime. We also naturally think of the efforts made by former Presidents Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ford, Dr. Kissinger, many members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, and friends from all walks of life .”

Deng Xiaoping also did not forget this doctor who worked hard for the normalization of Sino-US relations, and praised his great contribution. That is, in the first issue of the American "Time" magazine in 1979, an article was published saying: "It is rumored that former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once called Deng Xiaoping a 'disgusting little man'. Ge categorically denied. Last week, in an interview with "Time" magazine, Kissinger told reporters his impression of Deng: "Obviously, he is very capable, with extraordinary will and courage. For politics, he is extremely proficient and able to do a job with ease." .When I met him in 1975, Deng didn't know much about foreign affairs, but he was a quick learner. In short, Deng is a figure that cannot be underestimated, and his influence will be enormous.'”

Deng Xiaoping had breakfast with Dr. Kissinger on February 1, the morning when the Sino-US Joint Communiqué was published, before he left Washington.Later, when Deng Xiaoping visited Seattle, they held talks again.After the meeting, Kissinger said to the reporters humorously: "We agreed to normalize the relationship between China and myself." Kissinger's words drew roars of laughter. Since then, Kissinger has visited China many times, and each time he was met cordially by Deng Xiaoping. On September 30, 1982, not long after the Twelfth National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held, Deng Xiaoping met with visiting Kissinger.

Deng Xiaoping told Kissinger: "Now I have put myself in the advisory committee. I am the director of the advisory committee. I have retreated to the second line, that is to say, let some younger people come to the front line. I have retreated to the second line. Things need to be arranged early.” Kissinger praised Deng Xiaoping for such a high-spirited behavior.He said: "I think that in a socialist country, only Chinese leaders have such foresight to make arrangements." , told Deng Xiaoping excitedly: "Now people's thinking is richer. I noticed that people wear much better clothes than in the past, and consumer goods are also much more abundant than in the past."

Deng Xiaoping said: "Our biggest change has been in the countryside. The income of farmers has increased exponentially and several times. The policies formulated by our 'Third Plenary Session' have taken effect. The cities have also changed, mainly because the people's mental outlook has changed. Confidence in construction has increased, and there is more trust in the party and government, which will have a profound impact on the entire country." Such talks are naturally inseparable from the issue of Sino-US relations.Although Kissinger is no longer working in the White House, he is still working hard for the cause of friendship between China and the United States.Deng Xiaoping said: "In the past ten years, the development of Sino-US relations has generally been good, but some twists and turns have occurred in the past two years. As far as China is concerned, whether it is now or in the future, we still need to maintain this policy. We value our relationship with the United States and believe that it must be based on mutual trust to move forward."

When talking about the domestic situation, Deng Xiaoping also recalled: "Actually, I presided over the work of the State Council in 1974 and the work of the Party and the government in 1975. I collapsed within a year. Looking back on this period of history today is very meaningful. Significantly, it is the twists and turns of these 10 years that have inspired us. Smashing the 'Gang of Four' ended the 'Cultural Revolution', but the 'Eleventh National Congress' affirmed the 'Cultural Revolution' and continued the past 'Left' policies and ideas, so There were two years of hesitation. The real turning point was the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee in 1978. The "Twelfth National Congress" affirmed the ideological line, political line, and organizational line of the "Third Plenary Session", and will continue to implement them.' Ten The biggest feature of the Second National Congress is that the personnel arrangement reflects the continuity of the policies of the Third Plenary Session, including foreign policy. This work is not over yet. Solving the problem of aging cadres is an arduous task. We must continue to do it, but we must be patient. .”

Kissinger agreed with Deng Xiaoping's opinion.He also said to Deng Xiaoping: "I saw your conversation with the Italian female journalist Farage. Among all the leaders in the world, you are the only one who can win the conversation with Farage better than her." Deng Xiaoping asked with a smile, "She also talked with you?" Kissinger said with a slightly self-deprecating tone: "She completely 'destroyed' me, and I was a victim. I watched your conversation and was very moved." Three years later, in November 1985, two old friends, Kissinger and Deng Xiaoping, met again. 1985 was a year in which China's reform and opening-up developed in depth and achieved many results.

As soon as we met, Deng Xiaoping said: "The last time we met was in 1982. It has been almost three years. Time flies. To you, three years is fine, but to me it is precious." Kissinger said: "You look healthier now than the last time I saw you." Deng Xiaoping replied with a smile: "The laws of nature cannot be violated. My secret is to do as little as possible and let others do it." Kissinger said: "We have known each other for 10 years, especially in the past six years, you have made great achievements." Deng Xiaoping said happily: "Last year our pace was too fast, which affected the balance of other aspects. After half a year of adjustments this year, the effect is better than expected. Reform is a new thing, and it doesn't matter if there are some mistakes."

Kissinger praised: "No one has tried such a large-scale reform as China. No other country in the world has tried to combine a planned economy with a market economy." "It is not a great experiment, but it is indeed a major experiment." Deng Xiaoping replied affirmatively. Kissinger went on to say: "This is a matter of historical significance. If it succeeds, it will philosophically raise questions for both planned economy countries and market economy countries." Deng Xiaoping said: "Our experience is that in order to develop socialist productive forces, we must reform. This is the only way. The Chinese nation is not a low-energy nation, this is for sure. But whether the Chinese can do it in the end depends on these 1 billion people. What about the population? China has lagged behind for many years, and in recent years we can see some signs of prosperity. Earlier, in 1949, the yellow-faced Chinese stood up, but it will take two generations for the real turnaround effort."

Kissinger was overwhelmed by Deng Xiaoping's conviction, courage and patriotism. In September 1987, Deng Xiaoping met again with Kissinger who was visiting Beijing. Today is September 3rd.As soon as Kissinger met, he said: "Every time I see you, you look younger." Deng Xiaoping said: "You are one of the foreign friends I meet the most." Kissinger was deeply touched by this.He recalled affectionately: "When you led the delegation to attend the special session of the UN General Assembly for the first time, American experts were guessing: what kind of person is Deng Xiaoping? Now we are very clear. Every time I see you At the time, you did everything you talked about doing the last time.”

Deng Xiaoping also said happily: "During my visit to the United States, I received your warm hospitality. You are the one who reopened the door of friendship between China and the United States. The Chinese people will never forget it." Kissinger also talked to Deng Xiaoping about the various reports on China's domestic situation that he had read before coming to China. He also compared what he saw after he came to China with the outside reports, and asked Deng Xiaoping to give his opinion on China's domestic situation in the future. The situation is predicted.Deng Xiaoping frankly admitted that at the beginning of the year some students took to the streets to cause trouble and demanded a complete "Westernization". The Chinese government quickly and decisively dealt with the problem. Regarding the domestic situation, Deng Xiaoping told Kissinger: "The people see very clearly that the current policy benefits everyone. The support of the people and the approval of the people are to ensure that we can have a stable and united political situation. The foundation of construction with one heart and one mind. The reform and opening up we are carrying out now is a new thing, without the experience of predecessors, and there is no experience of foreign countries. Some aspects may not be so accurate. Therefore, "you must be bold and take steady steps". There will be some adjustments at some point in ten years. We're picking up the pace now, and we're going to have to make adjustments sometimes as we speed up." Deng Xiaoping also pointed out: "The reform of the political system is more complicated than the reform of the economic system. Every measure involves the interests of thousands of people. Therefore, the pace of political system reform must be more stable. It must be led, orderly, and self-reliant. And go down to the ground. The goal we pursue is to make our country's policies and the steps and methods for implementing these policies conform to our own reality, and strive to sum up experience in a timely manner and correct mistakes." Deng Xiaoping also praised Kissinger's initiative to establish the "America-China Association".He said: "This is a very important organization with clear goals. I believe it will play an increasingly important role in promoting Sino-US friendship." Kissinger said: "The purpose of establishing the U.S.-China Association is to promote U.S.-China friendship, promote the continuous development of U.S.-China relations, and encourage U.S. businessmen to invest in China. U.S.-China friendly relations are in the interests of our two countries. I am particularly proud of the , Since the door of Sino-US relations was opened, successive US presidents, including Republican and Democratic presidents, have continued to work towards this. Therefore, I can say that the US-China relationship is a permanent relationship.” The last recorded meeting between Deng Xiaoping and Dr. Kissinger was on November 10, 1989. Previously from November 6th to 9th.The Fifth Plenary Session of the Thirteenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing.The meeting passed the "Decision on Approving Comrade Deng Xiaoping's Resignation as Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China" and "Decision on Adjusting the Members of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China". On November 9, Deng Xiaoping met with all the comrades attending the Fifth Plenary Session of the Thirteenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and said: "Thank you comrades for your understanding and support. The plenary session accepted my request for retirement. I sincerely thank the plenary session and my comrades. " The next day, Deng Xiaoping met with the former US Secretary of State in the Great Hall of the People, becoming the first foreign guest Deng Xiaoping received after his retirement.At that time, Sino-US relations were facing a serious crisis. On this day, Deng Xiaoping was wearing a dark gray Chinese tunic suit and looked very energetic.As soon as Kissinger walked into the meeting hall, Deng Xiaoping greeted him and shook hands warmly.In front of dozens of reporters, Deng Xiaoping said to Kissinger: "Doctor, hello. We are meeting between friends. As you probably know, I have already stepped down. China needs to establish a system that abolishes life tenure in leadership positions." China is very stable now, and I am very relieved.” Kissinger said: "You seem to be in good spirits. You will still play a huge role in China's development in the future, just as you did in the past. You are the chief architect of China's reform." Hearing Kissinger say that he was "the chief architect of China's reforms", Deng Xiaoping smiled and said: "I am still a citizen of the People's Republic of China and a member of the Communist Party of China. When necessary, I will also be an ordinary citizen. And the obligations of party members. You are not the Secretary of State now, are you still busy with international affairs?". When Kissinger asked Deng Xiaoping how China would ensure that China's reform and opening up would continue into the next decade, Deng Xiaoping replied: "It can be said with certainty that whoever wants to go back will collapse. Ten years of reform and opening up, although out of control However, the achievements are remarkable. We have taken a big step forward and brought China to a higher level. All this has not come easily. Practice has proved that our principles and policies are correct. Strengthening the central government Power is right, but it does not mean changing the measures of reform and opening up and decentralization implemented in the past.” Kissinger looked at Deng Xiaoping, a lovely old Chinese man, and said, "You are one of the few politicians who do more than talk. You have brought about historic changes in China." Later, Kissinger made this evaluation of Deng Xiaoping in a conversation with a foreign statesman: Deng Xiaoping was the leader of China's reform.He embarked on reforms never before undertaken by a Communist Party leader, liberating the rural economy and turning a grain-importing country into a food-surplus one.As an older generation of revolutionaries, they do not allow the Communist Party's status to decline, and must continue economic reforms. As one of the foreigners Deng Xiaoping met the most, Dr. Kissinger's evaluation of Deng Xiaoping should be said to be realistic.And Deng Xiaoping, a Chinese youth who joined the Chinese revolution in France at the age of 18 and soon became an active member of the "Less Communist Party", the first revolutionary work he undertook in France was to work on the wax edition of the official publication "Youth".At that time, he worked in the factory during the day and carved wax plates at night. He worked hard and won the title of "Dr. Mimeograph".In Deng Xiaoping's own words: "I have never been invaded by other ideas, and I have always believed in communism." It is precisely for the normalization of Sino-US relations and the cause of friendship and the promotion of world peace. The professional revolutionist and Kissinger established a deep friendship, and won the respect of American doctors with his pragmatic character. What deserves our attention and research is that before and after his retirement in 1989, Deng Xiaoping met with Nixon and Henry Kissinger, old friends of the Chinese people, on October 31 and November 10 respectively.One was the last foreign guest that Deng Xiaoping met before his retirement, and the other was the first foreign guest that Deng Xiaoping met after his retirement. We don't know whether this is a historical coincidence or a human arrangement.But one thing we can think of is what Deng Xiaoping said to Kissinger when talking about Sino-US relations in this meeting: "There is a basis for Sino-US cooperation. The era of relations with other countries has passed. Countries with different social systems can coexist peacefully, develop friendship, and find common interests. China and the United States will definitely find common interests.” As the "navigator" who "set sail" the ship of Sino-US relations, Deng Xiaoping carved his immortal name in the history of world peace and development.