A New Presence in the Pacific

If nothing else, the Government of the People's Republic of China is thorough. When it comes to gathering support for their One China policy, they leave no stone unturned. In the news this week there was mention of Hu Jintao receiving an official visitor. Taufa'ahou Tupou IV, the King of Tonga visited Beijing. One of the points that Hu Jintao established in his talk with the Tongan king was his appreciation for Tonga's support of China's One China policy. This appreciation was couched in a warning to those who beg to differ. China will not tolerate even the thought of a two China policy. If you think that the President of the People's Republic of China might as well have been talking to the wall, you may be right but in a context of which you are patently unaware.

If you believe that Hu Jintao's affirmation of his appreciation was empty rhetoric, think again. China's record in the United Nations belies that supposition. On February 17, 2000, fifteen members of the Security Council were asked to vote on Tuvalu's admission to the United Nations. Fourteen members voted to admit Tuvalu, one member abstained. This abstention stemmed from Tuvalu's trade with Taiwan. No points given for those of you who guessed correctly which member was abstemious. There was a reason why China did not vote against Tuvalu's admittance. It would have been too blatant a protest.

The reason for the abstention was clear. Tuvalu had committed what China considered a faux pas. Tuvalu, a bustling nation comprised of nine atolls in the South Pacific and having of population of 10,000, had committed a cardinal sin. The Government of Tuvalu had misguidedly sold about a million dollars worth of yangona, better known as kava in the Polynesian islands, to the Republic of China, not to be confused with the People's Republic of China.

The other person that Hu Jintao had discussions with this week, this time by telephone, was US President George W. Bush. In the conversation, China reaffirmed their One China policy as if the Americans were unaware of China's attitude towards Taiwan.

The two conversations and the refusal to be gracious about Tuvalu's admission to the United Nations is part of what is known as Chinese Walls. In order to understand the behavior of the Government of the People's Republic of China, you need to understand just how Chinese Walls function. In most situations when there is a disagreement between two parties, the parties discuss, argue, fight, complain or what-have-you but at least they start out by talking to each other. In the case of Chinese Walls, the party of the first part and the party of the second part, do not discuss their differences. They do, however, make sure that the other party is aware of their resentment.