Speech #910113632

The "China lobby" which for years urged that Chiang be "unleashed" no longer packs a wallop on Capitol Hill. mainly because the ritualistic claims by Taipei of political authority over mainland China are no longer considered seriously either in the United States or Formosa. My own personal experience attests to a change in public opinion. When I first suggested a new "open door policy toward China nearly 3 years ago. the reaction. while generally favorable. included some sharp attacks from some of my colleagues in Congress as well as elsewhere. As I have repeated similar suggestions periodically since then. reactions have become favorable. almost without exception. The convergence of these nine factors presents to the United States the opportunity to undertake. with great advantage to its own security interests. additional initiatives looking toward better relations with China.