University of South Carolina Libraries
Ambas By Mary Louise Young "I'm a journalist by profession, a diplomat by accident," said James Shen, the Republic of China / i? ? * nt- v ? ? - wNauonansi L-nina; amDassaaor 10 the United States, Friday afternoon. Shen said his job as ambassador to the United States "has not been a very rewarding one." Relations between the ROC and this country are following a "holding pattern," he said. Although working contacts are continuing between the two governments, a good relationship has bfpn difficult tn maintain As an example of why the governments' relationship is not improving, Shen said he has not seen the secretary of state in a good while. MONDAY NIC SPE< For ?2.22 YOU i U.S. CHOICE STEJ BAKED POTATO SALAD BAR RESERVATIO PHONE 7 I.D. Required Proper Attire ^ Requested ^ i t t i u I I I u I i i t ! I I ? J U ! APRI jy ma ^ i * v isador c Since the 1950s the United States has been in an awkward position with respect to China because of the country's political division. Chinese Nationalists, who established their government in 1949 under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, control of the island of Taiwan off the China mainland and claim to be the official Chinese government. Chinese Communists control the mainland and maintain that their government, the People's Republic of China, is the official government of China. Until former President Richard M. Nixon's visit to the mainland in January 1972, relations beteen the United Siates and Communist China had been closed for about 22 years. Shen said the "ping-pong diplomacy" led to Nixon's and '"i ;ht student cial GET. . . ik or FRENCH FRIES NS REQUESTED 99-6303 tip r41 Saluda Ave.-5 Points lolumbia, S.C. 29205 X3Dn2EEK3EB33DEEEKKXX] SPRIN m m ^ m m ^ RE A 127 19 criticize! President Gerald R. Ford's visits to Peking. Their visits "cast a shadow over bilateral relations" between Taiwan and the United States. After Nixon's visit, Shen continued, "We found ourselves shunted into the background." Shen maintained that Com munist China has an embassy in the United States in fact, although not in name. "The Communists have a great advantage over our embassy in one important sense," he said. They have cooperation in arranging visits and in similar matters. "Our embassy in Washington has been working at a great disadvantage in competing for attention and assistance," Shen remarked to a group at Calcott College. He said the United State's recognition of Peking would result in the "de-recognition" of Nationalist China and would consequently mean the deterioration of relations between the two nations. "Although we have no control of U.S. policy toward us, we have to take advantage of opportunities to appeal to authorities about the U.S.'s self-interest." Shen asserted the main purpose of the United States in the China area is "the maintenance of existing allies there." l^ldlllllllg UIC ?JI111CU OldlCS IU1S "far more to gain" by maintaining relations with Taiwan, Shen said a "gaping hole" will result if anything happens to Taiwan, and a power vacuum would be created in this Pacific region. In 1954, Taiwan and the United mnwmwwmmmwmw'm'mwpA ..I ^ I 1 I L m. % a A t AVAI UDINGt IllllBOTBllWitlilBI ? s U.S. p States signed bilateral treaties for their "collective security," Shen added. "The continuation of this treatv will benefit not onlv the Republic of China but also the U.S. in its global responsibilities." "We've been playing our role as ally to the United States of America," said Shen, who maintained that if anything happens to Taiwan, the United States's other allies will question whether the "umbrella" which the U.S. has bpen "holding over their head" is dependable. t r a ii. . f a i in rcierence 10 me political situation^ on the mainland, Shen , said, "The regime is anything but stable." The Communists recently did away with the traditional April 5 festival honoring Chinese ancestors. "They want to fc^away Voter booth sets up at RH i The Richland County Elections Commission will have a voter registration booth set up in front of Russell House Tuesday and Wednesday. USC students must register one month before the primary to be able to vote in June, according to Frank Rogers, precinct official for Richland Ward 5. Ward 5 includes Cliff Apartments, Carolina Gardens and Bates West, Rogers said. Student Government representatives will be helping with the registration booth. pflMBmaS -? LABLE 3AY SELL H HJIJI.lJKllHllflKJULa, olicy with all customs arid tradition. Shen said. Demonstrations occurred as a result of the Communis s action. Shen said "much remains unknown" about what happened after April 5, but added it was obviously a "highly organized" reaction. "All in all," he continued, "this was the most unusual thing ever to happen in mainland China. I think it will remain a matter of speculation for months and years to come." According to Shen, the demonstrations were significant because they represented an attack on Chairman Mao Tse-tung's leadership. They "could have included a strone feeline of anfi communism. There must be enough people on the mainland who believe it is time to give in to their feelings on matters of state." Shen asked, "Could anycyie think of being anti-Maoist without being anti-communist?" Reiterating thaj/'a great deal of uncertainty" is still in mainland China, Shen said the power struggle for political control will continue. "We hope that this country of yours will not further commit itself in this political direction" toward resuming ties with Communist China, Shen said. Nationalist China represents a political threat to Communist China and offers "an alternative to communism for the Chinese people." "We hope the U.S. will stop, look and listen before moving on," the ambassador said. ?-j I 1 OUSE WWf ll? H'liliWitfWMlgBf iM