Nov 16, 2009

Obama follows in the Chinese footsteps of Richard Nixon

Of all the images of the U.S. presidency, few have been more startling than the one seen by millions of Americans on Feb. 21, 1972.

Richard Nixon, who built his early career on anti-communism, stepped from Air Force One in what was then known as Peking, China, opening a door that had been slammed shut with the communist takeover 23 years before.

The echoes of that visit are still heard during President Obama's visit this week to Shanghai and the capital city now known as Beijing.

Obama did not specifically mention Nixon during his town hall in Shanghai, but did discuss recent history.

"Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years," Obama said. "Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined. ... Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure."

Nixon and foreign policy guru Henry Kissinger would not be surprised at the economic and military rise of China. The potential of Chinese power is one reason Nixon and Kissinger made their approach to the communist government led by Mao Zedong.

Global politics played another role. Nixon saw a new relationship with China as a way to pressure the Soviet Union.

At the time, the Chinese and the Russians hated each other more than either hated the U.S. The Soviets became eager for a U.S. summit after news of Nixon's visit surfaced.

While much of this was known at the time, it was still shocking for many Americans to see Nixon, of all people, in what his supporters like to call Red China.

More than a few commentators said at the time that if another president had ventured to China, the long line of critics would have been led by Nixon. Hence the political phrase: Only Nixon could go to China.

Today, the United States is seeking stronger ties throughout Asia, from India to Indonesia, in part to balance the rising power of Asia.

Obama is now the seventh president to have visited China. It's hard to say where the U.S.-Chinese relationship will end up, whether as a growing partnership or a Cold War-like rivalry.

Consider the fact that when Kissinger asked Mao about the historical impact of the French Revolution, Mao replied it was "too soon to tell."

It's impossible to predict history, but we can be fairly sure that Nixon's first visit will be discussed for decades to come.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... rd-nixon/1