![]() |
-SEPTEMBER, 1997- |
![]() |
Click on the calendar date in the chart below to see articles posted for that day.
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
31 |
Click on the article title below to view the article. Follow the 'Back to Top' links to return here. Follow the 'Back to Article Index' links to return to the group of articles corresponding to that article's post- date.
09/10/1997 | How will China play its new trump card? |
How will China play its new trump card?
BEIJING, China - With Hong Kong back in hand, China is an awakening giant, positioned and poised to become a world superpower. Two scenarios on the how and when:
The USA's China haters, or doubters, led by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., expect and probably hope that China will circle the wagons around Hong Kong. Others, including President Clinton, say we should not presume bad faith regarding China's "one country, two systems" hand-over promise on Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, most of the 6.3 million people hope and expect it will work. Here in China's capital of 12 million, new flags are flying, the mood is festive and nearly everyone is certain that it will work. But they call it a "return," not a hand-over.
Here they're already talking about the next big "return." That of Taiwan, which broke away from mainland China after communists took over in 1949 and became a haven of capitalism and democracy.
Big difference. Hong Kong was grabbed by the Brits after the opium wars of the 1800s. The world generally approves its return. Taiwan split of its own free will. The world would resent and resist a forced return.
Best bets:
That is, if we don't screw it up by trying to dictate from Washington how and how soon all of that should happen.
Back to Top
Back to Article Index