Chapter 51 One on one, face to face - Deng Xiaoping and Wallace (3)

Deng Xiaoping greeted US President Reagan, and once again elaborated that the Taiwan issue is an obstacle to Sino-US relations, and China must be unified. CBS's "Sixty Minutes" program has very high ratings in the United States.From ordinary people to the president of the United States, many people are loyal viewers of this program. Wallace said: "President Reagan and his wife Nancy have personally told me that they are very interested in my program and watch it almost every Sunday night. I think that when the program I interviewed this time was broadcast , they will definitely watch it too. I wonder if you have anything to say to President Reagan?"

Obviously, Wallace changed the topic from Sino-Soviet relations to Sino-US relations. Deng Xiaoping bowed slightly, and said: "When President Reagan and his wife visited China, we got to know each other. Our conversations with each other were harmonious and candid. I would like to convey my message to President Reagan and his wife through your TV station. Best wishes. I hope that Sino-US relations will develop further during President Reagan's administration." "Are there any major differences between China and the United States at present?" Wallace asked Deng Xiaoping on this very sensitive topic after taking Deng Xiaoping's words.Such a question is like an arrow that has been fired, and if it does not hit the target, it will not turn back.

"Yes! If there are three major obstacles to Sino-Soviet relations, there is also an obstacle to Sino-US relations, which is the Taiwan issue, which is the issue of the reunification of the two sides of the Chinese Strait. There is a saying in the United States that the issue of China's reunification is the Taiwan issue. This statement is not true. Because the United States has always been involved.” Deng Xiaoping replied affirmatively, while looking back at history seriously, saying, “In the 1950s, MacArthur, Dulles and others regarded Taiwan as a It is the 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' of the United States in Asia and the Pacific Ocean, so the Taiwan issue has always been the most important issue in the negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States... The United States should adopt a wise attitude in handling the issue of US-Taiwan relations."

"What attitude?" Wallace " insisted that Qingshan will not relax." "It's a pity to say that in the later period of Carter's administration, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which became a big obstacle to Sino-U.S. relations. As I said just now, I hope that during President Reagan's administration, the Sino-US relations have been further developed, including that the United States can make a difference on the issue of China's reunification. I believe that the United States, especially President Reagan, can make a difference on this issue."

"What can they do about it?" Wallace asked. "Taiwan can be encouraged and persuaded to first engage in the 'three links' with us: commercial, air and postal links. Through this kind of contact, mutual understanding between the two sides of the Strait can be enhanced, which will create conditions for the two sides to further discuss the issue of reunification." When it came to the issue of China's unification, Wallace, an American, asked Deng Xiaoping: "Why is it necessary for Taiwan to be unified with the mainland?" Deng Xiaoping took a deep puff of cigarette, and then said affectionately: "First of all, this is a national issue, a national emotional issue. All descendants of Yan and Huang -- our ancestors are Yandi and Huangdi -- hope that China can be unified, that kind of The split situation is against the will of the nation. Secondly, as long as Taiwan is not reunited with the mainland, Taiwan’s status, Taiwan’s status as a territory of China is not guaranteed, and it will be taken away by others. The third reason is that our Adopt the approach of 'one country, two systems' to resolve the issue of reunification. The mainland pursues socialism, while Taiwan pursues its capitalism. This will not change Taiwan's social system and way of life, and the people of Taiwan will have no loss."

Next, Deng Xiaoping made an objective analysis and comparison of the differences in development and economic levels between the mainland and Taiwan, saying: "This issue must be viewed objectively. The gap is temporary. Taking the mainland as an example, in the 37 years since the founding of our country, we have made some mistakes and delayed development." However, according to the current policy of the mainland, the development speed will not be too slow, and the distance is narrowing. I believe that the development speed of the mainland will not be lower than that of Taiwan at least within a few years. The reason is very simple. Taiwan's resources are very scarce, and the potential of the mainland has not yet It will definitely be played out soon. And in terms of overall strength, the mainland is much stronger than Taiwan. Therefore, it is not comprehensive to look at the fact that Taiwan’s per capita income is higher than that of the mainland.”

Deng Xiaoping's reasonable analysis of the cross-strait economic development situation is comprehensive, objective and realistic.