Shanghai Communique Lays Foundation for US-China Ties: Kissinger

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 21, 2002

Shanghai Communique Lays Foundation for US-China Ties: Kissinger

In the international relations in the latter half of the 20th century, the breakthrough made in the Sino-US relationship undoubtedly was to go down in the annals of history. Among these history-making statesmen, at present, only Dr. Henry Kissinger who is still living and in good health. People's Daily correspondents He Hongze and Ding Gang stationed in the United Nations recently called on this legendary figure Kissinger in his office.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

In the international relations in the latter half of the 20th century, the breakthrough made in the Sino-US relationship undoubtedly was to go down in the annals of history. US President Richard Nixon's China visit on February 21, 1972 "has changed the world", the Sino-US "Shanghai Communique" published on February 28 laid a foundation for China-US relationship. Now 30 full years have elapsed, but people will not forget leaders of the two countries Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Nixon and Henry Kissinger who had laid the foundation for the China-US relationship. Among these history-making statesmen, at present, only Dr. Henry Kissinger who is still living and in good health. People's Daily correspondents He Hongze and Ding Gang stationed in the United Nations recently called on this legendary figure Kissinger in his office.

Displayed in his office are group photos taken with leaders of various countries, the pictures taken with China's three-generation leaders Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin are placed in the forefront.

Speaking of the "Shanghai Communique", Kissinger reviewed the phase of unusual history 30 years ago. He said: Thirty years have passed, US-China ties have become the most important component part in the international political system. At present, people can hardly imagine the scene in which there were simply no fixed ties between the United States and China before the signing of the "Shanghai Communique". In this sense, the "Shanghai Communique" marks a turning point and is of important historical significance, it has directly and candidly handled questions of common concern to both sides. This is the first diplomatic communique familiar to me, which clearly points out differences and seeks common grounds while reserving differences. The "Shanghai Communique" has laid a foundation for the development of US-China bilateral relationship. Its emphasis on the common interests of both sides marks a new, important starting point in US-China ties. Its spirit was applicable to many situations emerged thereafter.

The "Shanghai Communique" did not come about easily. Kissinger reviewed the arduous course of negotiations on the Communique. He said the negotiations had gone through two stages. The first stage was his China tour in October 1971, the negotiation began with the basic framework for the Communique, both sides reached a consensus on the basic principles of the Communique. Technically speaking, the Communique had been defined during his China trip. Premier Zhou Enlai charted the direction for this. The Premier also conveyed Chairman Mao Zedong's words, saying that if we had gathered together, but failed to reach even an agreement, it would be impossible for us to explain this to the world. Then, both sides began to discuss the text of the Communique, at that time, it was not so open as it had been before, because I often had to discuss matters with President Nixon.

Both sides decided to leave the formulation on the Taiwan issue to be finally determined till the time when Nixon visited China in February the next year. Kissinger said: How to deal with the Taiwan question was a difficult problem for us, because at that time the United States and China had not as yet formally established diplomatic relations. How could we, while touching upon the one China, refrain from showing clearly which side of the Straits we were mentioning. Finally the American side set forth this method of formulation: "The United States is aware that all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits maintain there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of China."

Kissinger expressed the view that the main reason why a breakthrough could be made for the "Shanghai Communique" was that both the United States and China had come to realize that it was possible to establish direct contacts and this was in the common interests of both sides. As soon as President Nixon took office, he set the target for establishing relations with China and this was a component part of his international strategy. The Chinese side also had its similar consideration. This was the base for the breakthrough made for the Communique.

He said that it was logical for the United States and China to establish relationship through a certain kind of diplomatic channel at that time. It can also be said that both sides were destined to come together. But he emphasized at the same time that leaders of the two countries had played an important role in the process. Without such leaders as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Nixon, it would have been impossible for the two sides to eliminate various obstacles so quickly under the historical background at that time. This required that leaders of the two sides have a fairly high political authority and confidence. Viewed from the US side, President Nixon's determination to avert the bureaucratic procedures had quickened the process of the normalization of bilateral relationship. At that time some American experts also put forward a whole set of formulas of gradual advance, for instance, first setting up economic and trade relations, but this proposal was rejected by President Nixon. This was also the reason why success was achieved so quickly in negotiation on the "Shanghai Communique".

To specifically deal with the argument that the "Shanghai Communique" had been "out of date", Kissinger maintained that the "Shanghai Communique" had not been outdated. He said the basic essence of the Communique was to establish direct cooperative ties between the United States and China. Although the Cold War has been over, he believes this basic spirit is still applicable, the basic orientation set down in the Communique remains unchanged. Kissinger pointed out that the "Shanghai Communique" had two specific characteristics: First, the method whereby both sides expressed different views in the Communique; second, the common goals announced by the United States and China remain effective today. Through the "Shanghai Communique", the United States and China have established normal relations and laid the foundation for further promoting political and strategic dialogs.

In mentioning the current US-China relations, Kissinger said: The United States is the strongest in a certain field, but not in all fields, and this is not immutable. As a technically most advanced country, the United States, of course, attaches importance to cooperation with China, the most populous and vigorous developing country. Speaking from a certain angle, President George

W. Bush and President Jiang Zemin are faced with the same test which President Nixon and Chairman Mao Zedong faced in their time, that is, to set the direction for the development of bilateral relations in a considerably long time to come. Judged from the just past 1990s, there still exist many obstacles to US-China relationship, for instance, the Taiwan issue, the two sides, however, do not want to see these obstacles hinder development. Both sides have come to realize that divergences do exist, but cooperation strengthened through various constructive methods is beneficial to both sides. Cooperation can surmount confrontation.

Kissinger pointed out that the current international situation changes very rapidly, frank and sincere dialogs between senior officials of the United States and China are vitally important to both sides. Since China is so important a country, and President Bush is to arrive in Beijing on such a day of historical significance, he will, of course, realize the significance of his Beijing tour. Leaders of the two countries will come to find that they have common interests in quite a many aspects. "I expect them to push the US-China relations to a new stage".

Kissinger said in conclusion: Please convey my best wishes to the Chinese people and the Chinese government." He also specially wrote the inscriptions in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the publication of the "Shanghai Communique".

Kissinger's inscriptions in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the publication of the "Shanghai Communique".

Questions?Comments? Click here

Sino-US Cooperation in Advanced Computer Development Fruitful

Shanghai Communique v. Sino-US Economic and Trade Relations