Opinion | Deng Xiaoping's historic visit to the United States

By Augustus K. Yeung

Introduction

Yesterday (Jan. 29) marks the 43rd anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's state visit to the United States; he spent nine long days, sowing seeds of Sino-US bilateral ties, and securing "alliance" with the U.S. in the crucial moment--when the Soviet Union was colluding with the "victorious" Vietnamese (after they won the Vietnam war) to dominate Southeast Asia—much to the concern of the United States.

To the US's delight, the plan was skillfully and strategically foiled by Deng, according to Henry Kissinger.

Most people remember Deng for his historic visit to Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, which acted as the engine which fired up China's economic development. However, few were aware that Deng was the "statesman" who had won Lee Kuan Yew's admiration: "The Western press wrote off the Chinese punitive action as a failure. I believe it changed the history of East Asia." (Henry Kissinger, ON CHINA. Chapter 13).

Deng's state visit was the second most important official contact between the Chinese and the American leaders since the visit of former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon to China in 1972, which led to the eventual normalization of Sino-U.S. relations, which since then had become the underpinning of China's American policy of cooperation.

In this state visit, Deng Xiaoping and Jimmy Carter signed historic new accords that reversed decades of misunderstanding. But the most important achievement was that Deng's state visit to America had started a harmonic wave with young Chinese warming their hearts for America, the "beautiful country" and its people.

It's like "Alice in Wonderland": The young Chinese are being introduced to America, initiating their dreams of studying in America, especially Taxes--where Deng charmed the Americans.

Equally important, it reintroduced the new China to America and the world, opening China's door to the West and later bringing in "foreign direct investors" to Shenzhen, China's Special Economic Zone. The rest is history.

It warms the reader's heart to read and revisit this chapter of the Sino-U.S. bilateral relations. I hope you will share my enthusiasm and elation.

Carter Described Deng as "Very Charming, Full of Sense of Humor"

"In January 1979 Deng Xiaoping was invited to visit the United States. In recalling that visit, President Carter said that the visit was one of the happiest experiences during his term of office. He described the talks he had with Deng as happy and productive, and he described Deng as very charming, full of sense of humor, leaving people with very good impression." ("Deng's Visit to America." English Salon. July edition, 1999--a Chinese-English magazine (edition) that zealously aims at promoting English.)

He found the Chinese seemed to know how to express their pride for their country and yet not to appear arrogant. In his diary of January 29, he wrote: "We watched a very pleasant performance at the Kennedy Center. After the performance, I and Deng, Deng's wife Zhou Lin, Rosalyn and Amy all went on the stage to meet the performers."

"Deng showed genuine emotion when he embraced the American artists, especially the children who sang Chinese songs. He kissed many of them."

Audience were Moved to Tears, and Senators Impressed

The reporters later reported that many of the audience were even moved to tears. Even the Senators who had opposed our normalization with China admitted their defeat after watching the performance. They said they could not cast vote to oppose children singing Chinese songs.

Carter also described another incident: "In our final meeting we signed many agreements including agreements on consulates, trade, exchanges in science and technology and in culture. Someone present asked Deng: 'Were there anyone opposed to our normalization in China?' Everybody held their breath waiting for Deng's answer. 'Yes.' Then after a pause he continued: 'There was one province in China strongly opposed to it. That was Taiwan.'" ("Deng's Visit to America." English Salon. July Edition 1999.)

Conclusion

The state visit of Deng Xiaoping to the United States was the first official visit by a paramount leader of China to the U.S. It marked the highest-ranking Chinese visit to the country since Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China in 1943.

Deng Xiaoping made his nine-day historic state visit to America, which ranged from January 28 to the first week in February, possibly coinciding with the Chinese New Year—a period when Chinese people were traditionally in festive mood as they celebrate the most important festival of the year.

It turned out that Deng's visit to America was a great success: He and his wife were heartily received by President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who welcomed them to the White House, where "America puts the flag out for Deng," reported one elated American national newspaper.

Deng's visit to Texas, America was a great success: One of the local newspapers reported on the front-page, "How a 10-gallon hat helped heal relations between China and the United States." It was referring to Deng's visit to the Rodeo during which time he put on an American cowboy hat, and the following day the newspaper says, "Few visiting dignitaries have captured the imagination of the American public like the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping did on his [1979] tour."

China is the modernized ancient country with strong sentiments for treasured foreign relations such as the Sino-US bilateral relations, which is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy. This has not changed since the works of Mao and Nixon, although the good relations had been interrupted now and then due to the short-sightedness of some American leaders, whose party ideology has led them to deviate from the road set by their predecessors.

Today, the Chinese side is still working hard in the same direction. Let's hope that the American leaders can search their souls and return to the realization that China—regardless of its (peaceful) rise—is America's most reliable non-allied friend, not an enemy or rival.

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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