Hao seemed to consider the question for a moment, although all of the Americans in the room knew that he was a professional and had probably rehearsed every conceivable question and every possible response a dozen times in the past few days, preparing for this meeting. With slow deliberateness, Hao replied, “Yes, Mr. President. Comrade Cheung wishes to extend his warmest greetings to you. He is saddened and distraught by the disaster that has occurred. He wishes to express his sincere wish that peace be preserved at all costs.”
“Very noble sentiments, Mr. Ambassador,” the President said noncommittally, “ones that we all share, of course. But… you have significant naval forces in the Philippines, you have mobilized strategic forces, including nuclear-capable forces, throughout Asia, and you seem to be on a wartime footing although the rest of the world is not. Forgive me for being so blunt but, Mr. Ambassador, but what the
“Mr. President, I’m sure you realize the complicated, confused situation we find ourselves in,” Ambassador Hao said. “The government of China found itself torn between a monstrous event and the resultant threat to our security, and the request for assistance that came because of the incident. Our government had no choice but to act, in the hope that our presence could help restore stability to the area and help calm a destructive political situation.”
“So you’re saying that you have no desire to occupy portions of the Philippines?” Thomas Preston asked the Chinese diplomat. “You will remove your military forces from the Philippines once calm is restored?”
“I cannot say how our military forces will be deployed, Mr. Secretary, now or in the future,” Hao replied sincerely, “simply because I do not know this information.”
“Mr. Ambassador, in my opinion the Chinese military presence in the Philippines is destabilizing and unwarranted,” the President said. “Trade, immigration, free passage, communications, and political stability were all assured before your country’s intervention. Why does your government now feel it so necessary to occupy parts of the Philippines?”
“I assure you, Mr. President, China occupies no part of the Philippines…”
“I have information that states Chinese troops have occupied several military bases in and around Manila and on the islands of Palawan and Cebu. Is my information inaccurate?”
“Mr. President, the Philippine government requested our assistance in controlling an uprising by well-armed fanatical rebel troops,” Hao replied. “Any action we took was at the
“With President Mikaso’s permission?” the President interrupted.
Hao paused for a moment; the question obviously took him by surprise. “I have received word, Mr. President, that President Mikaso is no longer in power. I do not know any details of this. I am sorry, but I assumed you had that information as well…”
“I have information that Mikaso is
Hao’s Adam’s apple bobbed conspicuously, and his eyes grew wider as he said, “I do not know this, Mr. President. Is it true?”
“My sources inform me that Mikaso was killed by Chinese soldiers, Mr. Ambassador. Do you deny this?”
Hao’s face registered true surprise, although it was uncharacteristically understated for the usually animated Chinese liaison. “I cannot confirm nor deny this, Mr. President. I have no wish to doubt your word, but I must be certain of this.”
“I may only offer assurances, Mr. President,” Hao said immediately. “The Chinese are no threat to the United States, and we do not seek any sort of confrontation whatsoever with any power. We are in the Philippines at the request of the Philippine government, and we have the right to offer aid and assistance in any manner consistent with our own national interests. The Americans had troops in the Philippines for nearly a century, as you well know, and no one dared question your right to be there.”
“That’s because no foreign power saw our presence there as a threat,” Thomas Preston said. “We were a force of regional stability—”
“Against the aggression and dominance of the Soviet Union, yes,” Hao said. “But you opposed Chinese trade and national security interests as well, something that hurt our efforts to grow and become part of the global economy.” “I will not debate the effect of history on the development of China, Mr. Ambassador,” the President said. “I will simply say the American people are very worried about the actions your government is taking in the Philippines, and they and the Congress want action.” He paused to let the import of his words sink in a bit; then: “I believe I can wait no more than thirty days before taking direct action against China, Mr. Ambassador.”
