U.S. presidents in the eyes of Chinese

In 1974, the then U.S. Ambassador to China Liaison Office of the elder Bush's first trip to Beijing, they realized that China's complexity. He was to their children, but also later became the President Bush's letter said: "This is a land full of contradictions. Social closure, there is no disagreement, there is no true freedom; but on the other hand, they have from the 'road frozen dead bones' of the old times have progressed a lot. "then the" Cultural Revolution "has not yet ended, the streets of pedestrians were wearing dark or light blue, or tunic, riding a bicycle between the shuttle.

Last year, the former U.S. president, George HW Bush's son George W. Bush sitting on "Bird's Nest", the hands of the skull-bone flags, and foreign dignitaries who watched the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. The venue, the "old friend of Chinese people," the elder Bush also ran excitedly Silk Street, cheer for China's national process.

But for the real logic of international politics is concerned, then what can only be considered superficial. Since the "China threat theory" was born in the United States, the president has been for the rise of China to worry about. They believe that the rise of Chinese power will break the military balance in Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese navy's strategic transformation, but also would jeopardize the interests of the United States.

In the eyes of Western countries, and the system of government to deal with the different socialist countries, the total a little "not my family groups, whose heart will the next" feeling. Sino-US relations have been for 30 years, and are still need to continue to "increase mutual trust."

However, the Chinese people are increasingly confident. For those with the "China question" a big fuss of the U.S. politicians, the streets of Beijing with red armbands of the aunt who will tell you: Oh, but that is the United States electoral politics needs to see Bill Clinton and George W. Bush bar, came to power after China's attitude on how far away.

Even today, the political debate before the election, the White House, presidential candidates have often asked: How do you view China?

Nixon: "We can not let out of China forever outside the family of nations"

Bush was not first discovered the value of the Chinese people. In 1967, Nixon, the author said: "In the long term point of view, we simply can not let out of China forever outside the family of nations, alone nurture fantasies of hatred and threats to neighbors insist. In this small planet can not be allowed to 1 billion people angry live in isolation. "

In 1971, when Nixon's secretary of state Henry Kissinger's secret visit to China, he felt sharp, "They (Chinese leaders), and Nixon, believed that the traditional agenda is secondary, the most important thing is to find out whether there are likely to cooperate on common interests. "

At that time, the common interests of both countries to prevent the Soviet Union's expansionist strategy. Nixon hopes to triangular diplomacy to contain the Soviet Union. His foreign policy has always tried to the United States to pilot the concept of national interest, even though at the time, this view is also often disgusted by the United States idealist tradition.

In 1972, Nixon's visit to China, this trip is known as "ice-breaking trip." In his eyes, Zhou Enlai was one ideology over national interests ahead of the realists.

Two years later, he was for "Watergate," to step down. Ford's new president to the Republican National Committee Chairman George HW Bush refer to the two directions: Chinese Ambassador to Britain, or, ambassador to France. But the elder Bush's idea is: Liaison Office in China. (Then yet to be established between the two formal diplomatic relations.) "China?" As a pipe filled with tobacco, after Ford raised his head, shocked to ask. "A new emerging China." Bush concluded, "In the coming years, the Sino-US relations is essential. This is not just in terms of the U.S. Asia policy, it is also true in terms of its global policy." 9 month, the elder Bush and his wife, Barbara, left his post, a new member of their family dog Fred out with peers. Fred let George Bush for the first time realized that this new position will encounter some culture shock. After 1949, China had conducted in order to prevent the spread of disease kill dogs in sports, so the dog has been very scarce at that time. When they brought Fred a walk in the streets of Beijing when the Chinese people cried: "Cat!" Soon, the elder Bush discovered, "Chinese wall" is far more than one. Pick up the phone, want a certain Chinese officials to discuss international issues, it is impossible thing. "Here the rule is: do not call looking for us, we will call to inform you. If the diplomatic means anything, it is the interaction. But China's bureaucracy does not think so." Bush wrote in his autobiography.

"Occasionally, the meeting is 'possible, but wait'. Because the Chinese people's conception of time there is no patience with Westerners do not like, 'Wait' may mean 5 to 20 years. This was in China and would like to understand the situation in this country and its people, people, in particular, disappointed. "In fact, because the CPC Central Committee still has no clear foreign policy directives in the 1970s most of the time, the Sino-US relations have developed erratic. Until the late 1970s, Deng Xiaoping came back, only to nearly 10 years ago began the process of normalization of Sino-US relations to accelerate development.
Reagan: "China has increasingly turned to free market"

On that occasion in 1974, the elder Bush in Beijing, spent 13 months as CIA director on the back went. In this short period of 13 months, Bush did not achievements, leaving only some of skimming over the surface impression.

In his recollection, the then Foreign Minister Qiao Guanhua amiable and frank, his wife Zhang Hanzhi beautiful, charming, leaving a Western-style hair. Deng Xiaoping, Mao and Zhou possible after the succession of the highest power and position, he was always constantly smoking and drinking tea. Mao Tse-tung strong handshake, with some grass-roots temperament.

However, this is the experience of 13 months has become paved the way for future US-China relations. He gave an assurance of at least Deng also said that China will always welcome you, "even as the CIA director."

1980 United States presidential election, Ronald Reagan came to power. Reagan liked to use some of the basic concept of management of foreign affairs, such as: palliative danger, the evil of communism, the United States great, and so on. Ideologically, he was some fanatical than others. He had a dream: to lead Gorbachev visit the United States, let the Soviet leaders, look the American people's lives. He also invited Gorbachev knock on the door, asking residents, "What are the views of our system." The workers will tell him that living in the United States really beautiful.

Reagan did not believe in close cooperation with China's political and strategic value, but has repeatedly emphasized the right of Taiwan's request to give more attention.

After 1982, China's foreign policy has done a large adjustment, clearly an alliance with any big power policy. The United States is also based on the same considerations, confirmed that "a strong and stable China" or "a strong, secure and modern China is in line with U.S. interests." August 17, Sino-US joint communiques, breaking the two countries in the United States arms sales to Taiwan on the issue of deadlock. Sino-US relations have entered a new period of development.

Reagan's own view of China, partly written into the diary.

1984: 【】 April 26 Thursday 2:05 pm we arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport. Played the national anthem, followed by 21-gun salute --- This is the first for a U.S. president. We then reviewed the troops, and are subject to at least 100 costumes for children welcome.

Saturday April 28 【】 another breakfast, this is the first prize day --- I and Deng Xiaoping met with the President. Nancy in the informal opening, when accompanied me, humor, Deng Xiaoping invited her to the next does not take me to visit China.

In our talks, he really fierce attack on our Middle East policy, the attitude of developing countries and disarmament failure. He touched the sensitivities of the --- I used when I talked about the facts and data to correct him, I did not joke. Then an interesting thing happened --- his warm up, although he also mentioned Taiwan (The only reference to the leaders of this topic). I told him to resolve the Taiwan issue is their problem --- but need a peaceful solution. We ended the talks, lunch (which he chaired), originally thought it was the work of meal, but it finally turned into a pleasant social activities.

After lunch, proceed to the Great Wall, I put on Nancy. Along the way, we all came in to look at our roadside and waved to the masses, although we did not go into the countryside, but people are still waiting for us inside the village.

Although the photos and movies seen, but witnessed the Great Wall, is still quite spectacular. Stood there to see the Great Wall between the two disappeared in the mountains, the kind of mood at the moment I can not beyond words.

By 1986, Reagan realized that "China has increasingly turned to the free market." This will make Americans feel at ease. Because, according to Western political science point of view, the market economy will promote the cultivation of individualism, social, economic and political development, and promote freedom of expression. The outbreak of war between democracies are less likely, in line with the logic of the Americans.
George HW Bush: "US-China relationship is one of America's most important foreign relations"

In October 1985, as Reagan's vice president, George Bush went to China, which since 1975 on his fourth visit to China.

George HW Bush delivered a speech at the Sichuan University, said that Sino-US relations have a continuity, consistency and stability, and is strong. 10 years ago, when he first went to China, he often wondered whether China will really be able to realize modernization. But now, those who in the 1970s wearing a Mao-style coat of government officials, have to wear a three-piece suit. Officials did not ride the "Red Flag" car, but to change ride on the "Mercedes Benz" of.

Now, Deng spoke before a different tone in Taiwan. "He said, Taiwan may keep its own government, economic and military system, also spoke of the 'one country two systems'." Bush recalled in his autobiography, "but some things are not changed, I would never become a. Deng is still pumped several packets of cigarettes a day. In our conversation 1 hour and 20 minutes, he smoked eight cigarettes. "

Compared with 10 years ago, the situation is very different, very different. At that time, the U.S. liaison office in China only 30 people. Now the U.S. Embassy 300.

In 1988, Bush won the U.S. presidential elections. At that time, Sino-US trade volume reached 7.858 billion U.S. dollars, is 8 times when the establishment of diplomatic relations. The United States has become China's second-largest foreign trading partner.

On Christmas Eve that year, the old Bush family, three generations 18 people to Chinese Ambassador Han Xu's residence guest. This is a special friendship that attracted quite a diplomat in other countries envy.

George W. Bush likes Chinese food, he was like his father with the cookies, roll roast duck and green onions, 5 volumes in one breath to eat roast duck.

The elder Bush as a strong foreign affairs, interior weak lame duck, like presidents and prime ministers for foreign phone calls, and often a chat for hours. China, but also his foreign policy of almost every part of the world.

In October 1989, the elder Bush during the visit accepted the interview with China Central Television, becoming the first directly on a television speech to the Chinese people of the U.S. president. In his speech, said: "The US-China relationship is one of America's most important foreign relations."

After the second half of 1989, Sino-US relations have entered the most difficult period. The U.S. domestic pressure forced the old Bush, but also deeply helpless. However, Bush still insists that constructive engagement with China, in line with America's national interests. And to extend China's MFN status for one year.

At that time, all sectors within the United States political figures feel that George Bush re-established diplomatic relations with China, too fast.

In November, the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War, collapsed. Future U.S. President Bill Clinton to see young Germans Pa down the Berlin Wall, and to the heavy bricks to take home as a souvenir. He cheers for them.

Bill Clinton: "In the new century, the two countries are more likely to be partners, not rivals"

In 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton as a presidential candidate, criticized the elder Bush's China policy. When he took office, he issued an executive order said that in the most favored nation status to China before the Chinese to be immigration, human rights and the prison forced labor to progress. He and most of the American presidents, like to "expand democracy" concept: "Our greatest goal must be to expand and strengthen the world's market-based democratic society."

He also felt that other countries, China's "interference" are extremely sensitive to its political affairs. China's leaders feel that with the economic modernization, they will try to deal with all these changes.

However, overall, Clinton maintained a positive engagement with China. His hope is that trade and contacts will promote China's personal freedom and human rights.

In October 1997, Jiang Zemin visited the United States for the first time. At that time, Clinton has done for five years the president. Jiang Zemin's political skills, China's integration into the international community's wishes, as well as to accelerate economic growth, gave Bill Clinton left a deep impression on him. That night, Clinton went to bed when you want, in the new century, the two countries are more likely to be partners, not rivals.

Spring and summer of next year, Clinton began a "long-planned" trip to China. "I'm looking forward to the trip." Clinton said. He is a 1989 visit to China after a U.S. president. "I'm together with Jiang Zemin, the longer the more like him. He was very charming, funny, have a strong sense of pride, but always willing to listen to different views. Although I do not always agree with his views, but he has I believe that he believes he is as fast as possible to let the Chinese moving in the right direction. "Clinton wrote in his memoirs.

The China trip, Clinton remember the Lijiang River, Terra Cotta Warriors, and Shanghai than in any city in the world should be more cranes.

Time into the year 2000, Bush won the election to replace Bill Clinton become the new American president. He and his father, George HW Bush, were jointly referred to as "the Bush family."

George W. Bush took office, the initial, and not the Chinese mind. The degree to China that it is being "marginalized" concerns.

May 15, the White House dispatched Assistant Secretary of State to come to China to explain before Bush's speech on missile defense program. However, in performing a similar mission, the United States to South Korea and Japan, sent Deputy Secretary of State to the European Union and Russia has sent Deputy Secretary of Defense and national security affairs committee, the No. 2 figure. Even in India, is also the deputy secretary of state personally.

Obviously, China has not been given sufficient attention. On the contrary, in the United States Security Strategy was updated on a vision, China has become the need to guard against an object. "9.11" of those has changed, and the United States needs China's anti-terrorism co-ordination. China ushered in, and the Bush family's second honeymoon period.

However, this year George W. Bush, in his farewell speech, was not forgotten, said: "In the 21st century, the internal security and prosperity of the need to rely on the expansion of freedom abroad. If the United States does not lead the cause of freedom, then the cause of freedom will know what to do." This the strength of great powers in the game, the United States Presidents of heart disease.

At present, China has been closely tied with each other and the world together. The 1998 Asian financial crisis has made the U.S. realize that the global impact of economic interdependence is very obvious. When the Asian and Latin American economic downturn, the U.S. stock market also fell sharply.

As the world's third largest economy in China, once the recession is bound to interfere with the U.S. trade balance. And global economic stability, U.S. officials have long become the highest priority.

This year, Obama the context of the financial crisis has become the new American president. So far, his caution and restraint on China's pragmatic approach has been a total of people see.