78-09-A2
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U.S. - China Relations[edit]
Transcript[edit]In my last broadcast I talked about what seems to be the White House' determination to go through with so-called "normalization" with the Communist Chinese in the next few months. Now, most Americans (according to many public opinion polls) favor being friends with the mainland Chinese, but they don't want to do it at the expense of our longtime allies and friends of the Republic of China on Taiwan. But the trouble is, we can't have it both ways. Peking has set three demands as the price for so-called "normalization". One is that we break diplomatic relations with Taipei to open an embassy in Peking. Another is that we break our mutual security treaty with the Republic of China; and the third is that we withdraw our military advisers from Taiwan. Ever since Mr. Brzezinski came back from visiting Peking, the administration seems to be nudging its way toward accepting the Communists' terms. First, our government announced the closing of two popular U.S. information libraries on Taiwan, though they had been in business for many years. Then, the word went out that our government would not object to our European allies selling Peking armaments even if these included American technology. Understandably, our allies on Taiwan are wondering what they have done to deserve the increasingly cold shoulder they are getting from Washington. But, while official Washington is ignoring American public opinion in favor of moves which may turn out to be both expedient and mistaken, there isn't much question but what the people of these United States are strong friends of the Chinese on Taiwan. Our trade with Taiwan last year -- a not-so-large island with 17 million inhabitants -- was nearly $6 billion, while our trade with the mainland and its nearly 900 million people amounted to a little more than $300 million worth. To underscore the importance it attaches to good trade relations with us, the Republic of China in June sent over its second trade mission this year with a $750 million shopping list of American goods it wants to buy. They'll be sending a third delegation over in September. The purpose is to help balance the balance of trade. Meanwhile, friendship is being expressed in other quarters. The Democratic National Committee, at its meeting in Washington last month, passed a resolution urging the President and Congress to continue "maintenance of our historical policy of supporting the independence and freedom of the Republic of China". And, in Plains, Georgia a delegation from Kaohsiung, its sister city on Taiwan, dedicated a Chinese garden to the people of Plains, as a gift from its citizens. A group of the visitors even called on the President's mother, "Miss Lillian". This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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