Posted on 03/05/2002 1:19:09 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Shanghai communique that called for a betterment of relations between the United States and China, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Tuesday he doesn't consider China a communist nation.
"I don't think China is a communist country in the sense of Soviet communism," said Kissinger. "It has institutions that we consider different and in many ways incompatible with our notions of domestic institutions. But it also clear, that the China 10 years from now, after the huge changes which it has already undergone will be far different from the China of today."
The former secretary of state also warned against conflicts between the U.S. and China, saying the two nations "have nothing to gain by confrontation with each other. History did not say that there will be only one superpower forever in the world. And the United States cannot have its mission the prevention of any other country from gaining some of the attributes we now have," he said.
Citing differences between the two countries that could compliment each other globally, Kissinger said, "The world's most populist country and the world's most technologically advanced country should not be in avoidable conflict and they should seek to find ways to solve problems jointly."
His remarks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. also included praise for President Bush's handling of U.S. - China relations, and a pronouncement that diplomatic relations between the two countries have improved since Richard Nixon's historic visit of 1972.
"The fact that President Bush has met twice with (Chinese) President Jiang Zemin and the fact that the Chinese vice president will come here in a few weeks and the fact that the Chinese president will come before the end of the year symbolizes the recognition on both sides of the importance of this relationship," Kissinger said.
The Shanghai Communique was the five-page document signed by Nixon and Chinese Premier Chou-En-Lai at the end of Nixon's February 1972 visit. It was widely criticized by both liberals and conservatives at the time, but Kissinger thinks its principles have remained intact with the presidents who followed Nixon.
On the issue of Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province that should be re-incorporated with the mainland, Kissinger said he is delighted that Taiwan has become a flourishing democracy.
"I think the growth and progress of Taiwan is a tribute to the fact that we have the policy that was initiated and then followed by every American president including President Reagan," he said.
Taiwan maintains that it is a sovereign state, yet the Shanghai Communique declares, "the United States acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. The United States Government does not challenge this position."
However, the U.S. has a long history of arms sales to Taiwan, and has sought to expand the free enterprise and democratic principles that are essentially absent from China.
Kissinger believes the United States and China should work closely together to solve problems because China has developed since the U.S.-China relationship began in 1972, in a way that nobody would have believed at the time.
"It is an extraordinary tribute to the Chinese people that they have managed to do this without having any foreign aid," he said.
Of course they are also a bunch of dictatorial thugs, and our enemy, but lets not accuse K of saying something he didn't say.
A fascist regime is one that combines elements of communism and capitalism, utilizing heavy government regulation of private industry to benefit the elite, hand picked corporate entities.
In the case of Musolini, nationalism was used to replace the class struggle, outlined in Marxism. China uses much the same principle, taking it a step further to actual gov't partnership in the private industry.
Notions? NOTIONS? How about values, beliefs, etc?
Of course not. China is a pragmatic Marxist state.
They are 'Klint-tons'?
They are surely NOT a Dictatorship!
They feel your pain!
(Brought to you by, 'Kissinger Investments'??)
/sarcasm
Shall we say the center of the One World Government, to Clinton dismay. Henry K should go back to Germany where he belongs.
Well, isn't Henry lucky that he latched onto the superpower's coattails long enough to cement his moneymaking contacts?
Coming to your neighborhood soon: The Grifters, starring Bill Clinton and Henry Kissinger.
Dr. Henry Strangelove
History did not say that there will be only one superpower forever in the world.
People who refer to the future as history are always full of sh!t as well.
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