Thank You!
Thank you for contacting the White House.
President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history. That begins with taking comments and questions from you, the public, through our website.
Our office receives tens of thousands of messages from Americans each day. We do our best to reply to as many as we can, but please be aware that you may find more information and answers to your questions online.
We encourage you to visit WhiteHouse.gov regularly to follow news and updates, and to learn more about President Obama's agenda for change.
For an easy-to-navigate source of information on Federal government services, please visit: www.USA.gov
Thank you again for your message.
The Office of Presidential Correspondence
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Remediable Predicament before China President Hu’s Visit
By Stephen Songsheng Chen
Author of Red Circle, China and Me, 1949-2009
Isn’t it a pleasure to welcome friends from afar? In keeping with the Chinese saying, China’s President Hu gave a grand reception and an extraordinarily warm welcome to President Obama and his staff in November 16-17, 2009.
Considering the latest crossing of verbal swords between the U.S. and China on a few sensitive issues, will it truly be a pleasure for President Obama to welcome President Hu in April? I doubt it. Many people doubt it. Definitely, China and President Hu doubt it.
Giving tit for tat on such sensitive issues as the Dalai Lama visiting the White House; multibillion-dollar U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; and the U.S. urging China to further appreciate its currency won’t resolve any discrepancies, but could cloud the friendly atmosphere for the coming summit meeting. Both sides must take immediate action to avoid driving the two superpowers into a lose-lose situation.
This year, 2010, will not be an easy one for China and the U.S. With 8.2% GDP growth in 2009 (revised by the Asian Development Bank), a $2.4 trillion U.S. foreign exchange reserve, $755.4 billion in U.S. Treasury notes, $1.2 trillion in exports (world’s top exporter), and seemingly a sustained recovery, China is still facing growing unemployment; a wider gap between the rich and the poor; more and more corruption; and increasing social unrest. With $13 trillion in equity stripped from the working families, higher than 10% unemployment rate, ever-increasing debt, and a weak dollar, the American people cannot see any signs of an easy recovery from the recession. A flow of empty complaints is no proof of wisdom. The United States and China need sagacious judgment and brave actions to help each other for their own survival.
However, it seems there is no such sense of urgency. It is so easy be contented that U.S. ventures in China increased from 35 in 1985 to over 50,000 now; and U.S.-China trade increased from only $2.5 billion in 1979 to $350 billion in 2009. But how many Chinese ventures are in the U.S.? How much exporting goes from the U.S. to China? How much exporting goes from U.S.-Chinese joint ventures to the world? The great potential remains to be exploited. Go while the going is still good. Fierce competition never allows opportunities to repeat themselves again.
The U.S. and China must reserve their differences and seek common ground to overcome obstacles towards achieving their mutual goals. Between these two countries, there are many differences, but there is also much familiar territory. A friend without faults will never be found. Say whatever you want to say about human rights in China; but I, once a prisoner in China myself, am willing to testify that the situation there has truly improved. Say whatever you will about China’s one-party regime; however, I, as the son of an enemy of the Chinese Communist Party, can attest that from anti-capitalism under Mao before 1976 to socialism with Chinese characteristics—meaning socialism on the road to capitalism—the CCP now is not the CCP before. Say whatever you will about U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; but the Chinese people support the U.S. war against terrorism. Say whatever you want to say about the troubled U.S. economy; almost all my Chinese friends still have faith in the U.S. A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, they joke. American people like their Chinese friends as much as the Chinese like Americans. Why should we let differences jeopardize our joint efforts to further develop our friendship and cooperation?
Authentic relationship on the basis of mutual understanding is essential. Lack of understanding is the biggest obstacle. I have helped to develop more than 300 major cooperative projects between China and the U.S. since 1979. My major contribution has been helping American and Chinese companies and decision makers to better understand each other and develop a sound friendship in China’s new and fast-changing environment. I offer similar service to President Obama.
The predicament is absolutely remediable, providing no more damaging events occur before President Hu’s visit. Friendly gestures should happen more often, such as the five U.S. naval warships docked in Hong Kong on February 17, led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. More than 5,000 sailors from the fleet went ashore for sightseeing and other activities. This event took place days after the White House confirmed that Mr. Obama would meet privately with the Dalai Lama in the Map Room, not the Oval Office.
It almost indicates the unlikelihood that President Hu would cancel or postpone (diplomatic for cancel) his coming visit to the U.S. If that were to happen, it could only mean a disastrous lose-lose situation for both nations.
President Obama should remember that President Hu extended unprecedented hospitality with two banquets. The first one, held in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, was very unusual. Not only was the first of two banquets, but also a private reception without the media, lasting ninety minutes. It included a traditional Chinese dish, man-made noodles, symbolic of long and happy life. The second banquet in the Great Hall of the People was China’s formal state banquet for all world leaders, including all former presidents of the United States.
I highly recommend that President Obama graciously return President Hu’s favor, by also hosting two banquets: one, the official state banquet; and the other, a private dinner in the president’s family dining room. One special dish should be included: Chinese dumplings, which symbolize the Chinese traditional welcome to close friends. If permitted, my wife and I would love to go to the White House to prepare the dumplings at our own expense. I would like to explain to Mr. Obama why the dumplings are appropriate and important.
The U.S. and China have been experiencing similarly heavy snow across countries. But heavy snow promises a bumper harvest. After the cold winter, spring is coming!