Wednesday, May 27, 2020

George H.W. Bush's Shameful Kowtow to China: A Cautionary Tale

Jiang Zemin shaking hands w. George Bush during former US Pres.'s visit.

Just hours after the tanks rolled in, former president Richard Nixon called President George H.W. Bush and urged him.

"I write in the spirit of genuine friendship," Bush wrote, emphasizing that his outreach came "From one who believes with a passion that good relations between the United States and China are in the fundamental interests of both countries. I have felt that way for many years. I feel more strongly that way today, in spite of the difficult circumstances." He asked Deng for his help in preserving that relationship, adding, "I have tried very hard not to inject myself into China's internal affairs."

Bush noted later that Deng replied to that letter within 24 hours, and the White House sent Scowcroft to Beijing on his secret mission shortly thereafter.

Bush noted, for example, that the communiqué of the recently concluded summit of the G-7 nations addressed the developments in China.

At the same time, it is imperative that President Trump not emulate George H.W. Bush and make the United States a supplicant superpower.

Bush preserved the China tie, but he did so at the cost of his personal dignity and American values.

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