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Sino-US misunderstanding: Patience needed
Lau Guan Kim Updated: 2004-03-15 09:29
In the past the wordings of China's displeasure at US in the Taiwan imbroglio, the term "warn" had been frequently used. The consequence was that these had a decidedly different effect on the US. They gave the wrong impression China was impatience and bellicose.
What was needed then and now is for the two parties to have quiet patient diplomacy, a quality that China had excelled, especially in the handover of Hong Kong back to China.
Perhaps the Chinese way of expression when translated to English might sound confrontational. In this respect China should moderate with "advice". This is a softer stance and achieves a better effect by capturing the ears of moderate Americans.
What kept both sides from going to the brinks is the nuclear capability each has, though decidedly America has the distinct advantage. Saner policy makers in Washington would caution patience in dealing with China, for when a push comes to a shove, not only China will be nuked, but the possibility of America having the same fate cannot be ruled out, thereby unnecessarily exposing Americans to danger when there are alternatives.
Barbara Tuchman, in her book "The March of Folly" defined folly as pursuing a disastrous path when there is a better alternative. She went on to define "wooden-headeadness", meaning a state of stupidity
This assessment also applies to China.
In the present political imbroglio between China and America, the best strategy is to win the American public rather then rattling sabre with the hawkish politicians. In the final analysis, it is the American public that can stop the path to brinkmanship.
China should never, in the face of a difficult patch with America, go on wasteful military spending like what the former USSR did. Its priority is the welfare of the Chinese, but at the same time it must spend enough on weapons to deter any temptation from the US for any aggressive military policy.
It is telling you can set fire to my house, but take care, I can give you a bloody nose.
This is a sobering effect on both sides.
But I must caution the Taidu here who goad China at its weakest, that is when it is wilting from its moult of archaic traditions and mindset. In so doing, they hope Taiwan can borrow the American sword to slash at China.
The danger here is that Taiwan and its twenty three million people will perish if China is faced with imminent danger. So these Taidu must know they are playing with fire.
China must bite the bullet at the moment. The silver lining in the horizon is that she has the size and the time.
Patience is needed.
| The above content represents the view of the author only. |
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