TACTFUL TALK NEEDED BY AMBASSADORS
By JAMES A. MARPLES
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The USA has sent diplomatic representatives to China as far back as 1844. At first, they were envoys and later styled ‘Ambassadors’. The Communist Revolution of 1949 really upended the diplomatic world. I have only spoken with two former U.S. Ambassadors to China: Jon Huntsman, Jr (22 times) and Terry Branstad (49 times); but solely on domestic matters. That was while they were incumbent governors of Utah and Iowa, respectively.
Chengting Thomas Wang was the inverse counterpart sent from China to the United States. His father was an Anglican minister. Mr. Wang came and graduated from Yale University in 1910. Around 1920, he joined the Shanghai Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies. In 1931, student protesters attacked Wang, making him the scapegoat for China’s seeming weak response to Japan’s aggression. Wang was hospitalized, but it wasn’t his fault.
Later on, C.T. Wang became the Chinese ambassador to the United States. At that time, the two countries enjoyed a fairly stable relationship in trade and diplomacy. After 1949, China became officially “atheist” in designation, and it shows. Ambassador C.T. Wang died in Hong Kong which thankfully was a safe British haven at the time. Once, China was regarded as sort of a step-child nation which made play-toys. However, they have a certain knack for replicating high-quality goods and exporting boatloads of merchandise back to North America in recent decades. They make huge profits while many of their laborers are working as near slaves, having long hours, low-pay, and dubious working-conditions.
In the early years, China was more tolerant than they are now. Technically, they recognize five religions. However, the ruling faction of the country is officially ‘atheist’; and mighty rigid. The five religions which are quasi-tolerated are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Protestantism. The Chinese Communist Party wants to retain a tight grip on what is spoken or what is written. To say they are ruthless would be an understatement.
I very much believe that mutual dialogue is desperately needed in today’s world. However, all parties need to act in good-faith. Ambassadors need to be listeners, tolerant, respectful, good-communicators, and honest. In today’s climate, that is a tall-order.
I applaud former Ambassador Terry Branstad in that he is also a Roman Catholic, a Knight of Columbus; and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre —which I am as well..and he is also a Freemason, too. Both Ambassadors Branstad and Huntsman are nice individuals. I have to also commend Ambassador Jon Huntsman in that he actually learned the Chinese language. He was well-suited for the role and took it seriously. Ambassador Branstad is a second-cousin to former U.S. Attorney-General Merrick Garland; showing that leadership-skills must run in the family.
Tact, patience, and empathy are hallmarks of any good Ambassador. Let us hope that we have more cool heads making wise decisions in the future. Mankind’s survival literally depends on it.
