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In the late winter of 1981, when the lights of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing were lit up, a seemingly ordinary banquet quietly kicked off a fascinating diplomatic drama.
Chen Xiangmei, the widow of the late General Chennault and a woman of high status in Washington, embarked on a homecoming trip, appearing at the banquet with a complicated mood and an elegant long dress. But who would have predicted that this woman, who had once been at ease on the international stage, would be severely reprimanded by Deng Xiaoping at a banquet?
Chen Xiangmei: A bridge across borders
The union of Chen Xiangmei and Chennault marks a cross-border fusion of love and culture. In 1947, the two married in a low-key manner, and in the days that followed, they had two daughters together. The marriage was short but sweet, and Chennault was not only a military general, but also a pillar of the family, with whom he raised his children and never neglected the family despite his busy schedule.
Unfortunately, this happiness didn't last long. Chennault gradually lost the strength to fight the disease due to the progression of lung cancer, and eventually died in 1950. His death was a huge blow to Chen Xiangmei, and at the age of 33, she had to face her future life and parenting responsibilities alone.
In the face of the blow of widowhood, Chen Xiangmei showed great strength and determination. She realized that raising two young daughters in a single-parent family was a daunting task, especially with a relatively inadequate economic and social support system.
With a long-term future in mind and better educational opportunities, she decided to leave her country with her two daughters and head to the United States in search of a new life.
When Chen and her daughters arrived in Washington in 1952, a decision that not only started their new lives, but also laid the foundation for her future careers. Washington is a center where politics and culture meet, providing her with countless opportunities and challenges. Chen Xiangmei does not have a professional background, but her life experience and personal charm have allowed her to quickly adapt to her new environment.
A shift from grief to strength
As her life stabilized in Washington, D.C., she became more involved in the community, particularly focusing on the rights and opportunities of the Chinese American community in the United States. Through public speaking and community activism, she strives for equal rights for Chinese Americans, especially equal pay in the workplace.
In the United States in the 1960s, when issues of racial equity and civil rights were in the spotlight, Ms. Chen's actions and rhetoric provided a powerful voice for the Chinese community. She has spoken on a variety of occasions, from university lectures to public gatherings.
Her speech was in-depth, both personal experience sharing and a deep understanding of the overall situation. Her remarks have attracted attention and gradually increased public awareness of the unequal treatment that Chinese Americans face in their career development. In 1963, Chen Xiangmei's efforts and influence were recognized at a higher level.
President Kennedy expressed appreciation for her active role in social activism and personally paid tribute to her at a White House event. This recognition is not only an affirmation of Chen Xiangmei's personal recognition, but also an encouragement to the Chinese community in the United States. Against this backdrop, Chen Xiangmei was invited to work in the White House, becoming the first Chinese-American to enter the top echelons of the U.S. government.
This position not only provides her with a platform to showcase the abilities and contributions of the Chinese, but also marks the elevation of the status of the Chinese in American society. At the same time, Chen Xiangmei also devoted a lot of time to writing her English book "A Thousand Springs". The book details her love affair with General Chennault and their lives in the war and post-war world.
The book not only describes the deep relationship between the two men, but also depicts the historical background of that era, especially the exchanges and interactions between China and the United States. Upon its publication, "A Thousand Springs" received widespread attention and praise, and became a bestseller in the New York Times.
Readers are not only moved by the love story, but also learn about the role and contribution of the Chinese on the international stage through the narrative in the book.
Chinese women in the political arena
With the historic moment of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1978, Chen Xiangmei, as a long-time Chinese-American living in the United States, was able to reconnect with her relatives in Chinese mainland. This open political climate has given many families who have been separated for many years a chance to reunite, and Chen Xiangmei has begun to reconnect with long-lost relatives and friends through letters and other means of communication.
This reconnection not only deepened her emotional connection to her homeland, but also provided a deeper personal and cultural context for her role in U.S.-China relations. In 1980, with Ronald Reagan becoming president of the United States, the relationship between China and the United States entered a more complex phase.
The Reagan administration's assertiveness on the outside world, especially in Cold War relations with the Soviet Union, but also the need to deal with sensitive relations with China has brought new challenges and opportunities for exchanges between the United States and China. Against this backdrop, Chen Xiangmei has used her unique identity and status to become an important connection point between the two countries.
Chen's activities are no longer limited to civil rights advocacy in the social sphere, and she has become more involved in high-level political exchanges between China and the United States. She is a frequent speaker at various policy discussions and diplomatic events in Washington, D.C., where she provides valuable perspective and advice as a U.S. citizen with a deep Chinese background.
Chen Xiangmei not only spoke in public to emphasize the importance of a constructive relationship between China and the United States, but also communicated with U.S. policymakers and Chinese representatives behind the scenes in an attempt to play a bridging role in the relationship between the two countries. She paid special attention to the field of education and cultural exchanges, which she considered to be an important way to enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Chen Xiangmei has participated in the organization of many academic and cultural exchange activities between China and the United States, such as the exchange of visiting delegations, academic seminars and art exhibitions. Through these activities, she helps the American public better understand China's history, culture and social development, and also allows Chinese people to more intuitively experience the diverse culture and values of the United States.
During President Reagan's presidency, despite the ups and downs in U.S.-China relations, Chen Xiangmei has consistently maintained her constructive diplomatic efforts to build a stronger and more harmonious relationship between the two countries. Her efforts have been widely recognized by both governments and societies, and her role is increasingly seen as an important figure who can effectively promote understanding and cooperation.
Deng Xiaoping's subtle interaction with Chen Xiangmei
On New Year's Day in 1981, on a cold but sunny day, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing was brightly lit and the atmosphere was solemn and warm. A special banquet was being held here, and Deng Xiaoping hosted a delegation from the United States, including many important political and business leaders.
On such an important exchange platform, Chen Xiangmei was also invited to participate, along with her uncle, Liao Chengzhi, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. At the banquet, the table was filled with Chinese delicacies, from delicate cold dishes to steaming entrees to sweet Chinese dim sum, each dish showcasing the mastery of Chinese chefs.
The guests sat around the round table, easily picking up food with chopsticks, and had a relaxed conversation about the culture and history of China and the United States, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It was in this relaxed atmosphere that Deng Xiaoping abruptly changed the direction of the topic and mentioned a sensitive issue - the sale of Twin Oaks.
Located in Washington, D.C., Twin Oaks is a historic estate that originally belonged to the Chinese government, but was later sold to the "Friends of Free China" at a very low price due to the operation of the Taiwanese authorities, and then bought back by Taiwan at a high price, which caused a lot of political controversy.
Deng Xiaoping's voice was calm and direct, and he said: "The two of you have done this together, you are sorry for your motherland!" The U.S. government agrees that this is the property of the Chinese government, and that you have a great ability to steal the day, so how does Taiwan thank you? These words directly pointed to the role of Chen Xiangmei and her friends in the handling of the Double Oaks incident.
Although there was an element of reproach in his rhetoric, Mr. Deng's tone was more inquiring and discussive, as if he wanted to learn more about the details behind it in this way.
Other people at the banquet reacted differently to the topic, with some choosing to wait and see, while others whispered to discuss the possible implications of this sensitive topic. In this delicate atmosphere, Chen Xiangmei and her uncle Liao Chengzhi appeared relatively silent, and they carefully handled this sudden and awkward situation, trying to maintain the harmonious atmosphere of the banquet.
Patriotism and political choices
The Twin Oaks deal is a controversial event in the history of U.S.-China interactions. This mansion in Washington, D.C., has a long history, and in 1947, the Republic of China government sent an ambassador to purchase the property for $450,000 in order to strengthen diplomatic ties with the United States.
At that time, this transaction symbolized a symbol of friendly relations between China and the United States, and Double Oaks Park was not only the residence of the diplomatic mission of the Republic of China government, but also often held various reception activities, and became an important place for political and cultural exchanges between China and the United States. However, with the changing times, especially on the eve of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the fate of Double Oaks has experienced an unexpected turn.
A few days before the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Taiwanese authorities decided to sell Twin Oaks to an organization called the "Association of Friends of Free China" for a symbolic price of only $20 out of concern and strategic considerations about the imminent change in the diplomatic environment.
The move is intended to ensure that Twin Oaks remains in the hands of pro-Taiwan forces after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and thus continues to serve as a favorable point of political and cultural influence for Taiwan. However, this decision did not have the desired stabilizing effect, but triggered a series of subsequent complex changes.
Just a year later, with external pressure and changes in the political environment, the Taiwanese authorities had to buy back Double Oaks for $2 million, a price tens of thousands of times the original sale price.
The deal not only attracted widespread attention at home and abroad, but was also seen as a diplomatic blunder, as it largely exposed Taiwan's embarrassing situation and strategic mistakes in the international arena. This incident is particularly sensitive in the context of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.
Mr. Deng's criticism reflected Chinese mainland's concern that such maneuvers could affect the normalization of cross-strait relations. Raising this issue at such a high-level official banquet undoubtedly increased the tension of the occasion.
Although Chen Xiangmei's role in the incident was not dominant, she was inevitably drawn into it because of her relationship with her husband, Chennault, and Chiang Kai-shek. Chennault had been a close confidant and important military adviser to Chiang Kai-shek, and this relationship put Chen Xiangmei in an extremely complex and delicate position in the face of the Double Oaks incident.
Although Deng Xiaoping expressed criticism, he did not hold Chen Xiangmei accountable. This approach reflects Deng Xiaoping's recognition of Chen's past contributions to U.S.-China exchanges, as well as his understanding of the complexity of the current U.S.-China relationship.
He recognized that while the Twin Oaks incident appeared to be a simple property deal on the surface, it involved broader international politics and sensitive issues in cross-strait relations.
At this time, although Chen Xiangmei looked a little embarrassed at the banquet, her reaction also showed her seriousness towards this issue and her concern for the development of relations between the two countries. Although the Twin Oaks discussions were not fully resolved after this banquet, it undoubtedly deepened the participants' understanding of the complexities of the U.S.-China relationship and, to a certain extent, influenced subsequent diplomatic interactions.
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Resources:
[1] Tan Jialong. China Economic Weekly,2006(35):48-49