SINO-US RELATIONS: BETTER VIBRATIONS FROM PEKING

Created: 2/28/1978

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JIMMY CARTERROIEW* NLC

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Sino-US Relations: Better Vibrations from Peking

Peking's view of the US has become morethe beginning of the year. The Chineseby what they believeew sense ofin US policy toward the Soviets. Pekinglearer understanding of some of the

olitical factors that influence the Carter administra- ion'a policy toward "normalization."

Eiimi

The shift in Peking's assessment of Washington's to relations with Moscow hasy Chinese leaders and in Chi-

nese propaganda.

uring recent discussions with FrenchBarre, Vice Premier Teng Hsiao-ping

commented favorably on President Carter's visit to Poland and on the current US role in the Middle East, describing the former as "anstep" toward promoting greater East European independence from Moscow and theas."an example" of how the United States

could cooperate with the "Second and Third Worlds* in thwarting the Soviets.

Minister Huang Hua expressed satisfaction.

"with US policy in the Middle East in his dis-,cussions with Canadian External Affairs Minis- ..

-toer Donald Jamieaon.

.Tha Chinese media highlightedannerapproval President Carter's statements

of US conmitmenttrong defense policy his State of the Union and budget messages.

ecent Presidential statements of concern'Soviet activities in Africa and of opposition to thai establishment of Soviet military bases in the Western Hemisphere were given similar treatment.

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Chinese propagandists have also taken approving note of statements by Defense Secretary Brown and other US military leaderstrong US global defense posture and of reports on US development of the neutron bomb, cruise lltfiniMI-mttmiBsiiea, and other weapons systems.

commentary of this sort has been

balanced by criticism oi Washington over such issuestrade policy toward the USSR, and Pekingsensitive to any evidence of US "softness"negotiations. Such criticism has,much of the bite and sharp personal slant that was ^last fall when the Chinese were clearlyhensive that the Carter administration was ready toadvantages to the Soviets in the Interest of anon disarmament

. T. Chinese assessments of US resolve to oppose Soviet "expansionism" operate on what Chinese leaders themselves describe as the "strategic" level off their thinking about Washington, as distinguished from the "tactical" level occupied by the Taiwan question and other bilat-

"eral issues. There haveumber of signs inmonthsetter Chinese appreciation ofUS political realities as they relate to "tactical'

' matters, and this too appears to have contributed to

the more relaxed outlook on

; In early January', forhinese diplomat: fr* abroad said that on the basis off the report Huang

the former head of the Chinese Liaison Office inmade efter his Teturn to Chine in mid-November* .Puking believed the United States would "have difficulty

in accepting" Chinese conditions for normalization.

comments

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troversial issue ofer implied that considerations relating to8

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congressional elections and0 presidentialmight prevent Washington from taking upfor "the foreseeable future."

Such analysis can be read into thethe Taiwan issuepolitical" and not aproblem for the Unitedinetook in expressing renewed "patience" onissue to recent US Congressional delegations. clearly to underlie recent statements by

officials abroad that "normalization" has slipped as aon President Carter's policy agenda. In early enior Chinese official abroad listedviewed as the President's policy priorities inorder: the Panama Canal treaties, SALT,

ergy and domesticnd US relations with

Whatever the specific causes, there is littleChina's leaders want to demonstrate their

approach to bilateral relations with the United Aside from facilitating more visits by prominent

political figures, Peking is also moving ahead plans for increased US tourism to China and

to show keen interest in US technology. On the level, the'Peking media gave unusual treatment to U

ixth anniversary of Edgar Snow's deathhe fifth anniversary passed unnoticed last ing Snow for his belief that "tho springtime of friendly-

. contact between the peoples of China and Americacertainly arrive.*

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Original document.

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