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United Campus Ministry papers, 1970-1972

1971-11-04 'China Scholars speak here'

'China Day' observance--
CO-SPONSORED BY UCCM
DAILY IOWAN, NOV 4, 1971

China scholars speak here
By BRIAN OWEN
Daily Iowan Staff Writer

   Chinese Premier Chou En-lai thinks that re-militarization by Japan will be China's most serious future threat, according to members of the Concerned Committee of Asian Scholars, who recently returned from a trip to mainland China.
   The scholars, taking  nationwide tour to acquaint Americans with Chinese problems and realities, observed "China Day" Tuesday in Iowa City with panel discussions, lectures, and film showings.
   A group of 15 American graduate students who were stationed on Hong Kong, spent about a month in China last summer and became the first Americans there since the United States' ping pong team visit.
   Kenneth D. Levin, one of the members of the group from the University of Wisconsin, said that obstacles to normalizing relations between the U.S. and China include Indochina, Taiwan and a Korean settlement.
   Levin said Chou thinks the Indochina problem is the most important to the American people and that Korea is still a common problem for both countries, since no settlement has [yet?] been reached.
   [He?] said the Taiwan matter [is now?] a lesser issue since the [United?] Nations has voted to [expel?] Taiwan and seat China.
   [Although?] Americans are allowed to visit China, some [restrictions?] still exist.  For example, Kim Woodard, a political scientist from Stanford University and one of the Iowa City visitors, said he believes that "those who can make a contribution will get in."  He said that the Chinese are worried about disturbing relations if all tourists are allowed.
   Woodard said that there is a better chance for a Chinese-American to visit than for a "WASP." He added that only a few individuals are permitted entrance and that it is best to go with a group.
   Levin, Woodard, and his wife, Judith, said Tuesday the idea that the Chinese common man is not happy with his role is a myth.
   "Ninety-eight per cent of the masses are very happy. The people have what they never had before; full employment, housing, security. The inequities of the pre-1949, period have been removed," Levin said.
   Ms. Woodard, who taught in Taiwan and Hong Kong, said "before 1949 there was no medical care, education and there was much starvation; the people lacked individuality.  Now they have corrected most of these problems."
   "Before 1949 there was nothing here, the cultural revolution represented a burgeoning of culture," 
Ms. Woodard said. Developing countries "need intellectual creativity and China is trying to stimulate that creativity ..." she added.
   Ms. Woodard said that "art and culture have to serve the whole people. The Chinese people would laugh at the Kennedy Cultural Center since it is aimed just at a restricted audience. There is a tremendous groundswell for creativity and cultural activity."
   The group spent four hours with Chou, who said he thought the American government, not the people, is the enemy of the Chinese.
   "He seemed rather apolgetic when we asked him, in view of that, why he invited President Nixon to visit," Levin said.
   According to Levin, Chou believes the "time has come for our countries to talk; unfortunately you have only one president." Chou apparently was referring to the willingness of many visiting Americans to advance friendly relations between the countries, Levin added.
   Levin said that the Chinese common man thinks that if Nixon is sincere, something substantive will b accomplished by his visit. He added that the Chinese consider talking a form of struggle and that if "Nixon wants to talk, fine, but we won't let down our guard."
   The three said Chou was quick to say that China "doesn't tell North Vietnam what to do in the Indochina conflict," but that they (China) would try to use their influence to end the war.
   Chou told the group the Chinese would not "turn their backs on developing countries trying to get out of their ruts." and that China's policy is and will be one of non-intervention. Levin said that the Chinese will lend their "moral support, bur without sending soldiers."
   Ms. Woodard said the Chinese are very optimistic and that they think "each nation will rise up against oppression to solve their problems in their own ways." She said that the Chinese people are traditionally "politically apathetic," but that they will demand greater freedom in the future.
   The Chinese people are "proud of what Chairman Mao has done. For the first time in nearly 200 years, the people have a new pride or dignity," the group stated.
   The group will show a film and provide commentary today at the Union from 9 to 12 a.m. in the New Ballroom.

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'China Day' observance-- CO-SPONSORED BY UCCM DAILY IOWAN, NOV 4, 1971 China scholars speak here By BRIAN OWEN Daily Iowan Staff Writer Chinese Premier Chou En-lai thinks that re-militarization by Japan will be China's most serious future threat, according to members of the Concerned Committee of Asian Scholars, who recently returned from a trip to mainland China. The scholars, taking nationwide tour to acquaint Americans with Chinese problems and realities, observed "China Day" Tuesday in Iowa City with panel discussions, lectures, and film showings. A group of 15 American graduate students who were stationed on Hong Kong, spent about a month in China last summer and became the first Americans there since the United States' ping pong team visit. Kenneth D. Levin, one of the members of the group from the University of Wisconsin, said that obstacles to normalizing relations between the U.S. and China include Indochina, Taiwan and a Korean settlement. Levin said Chou thinks the Indochina problem is the most important to the American people and that Korea is still a common problem for both countries, since no settlement has [yet?] been reached. [He?] said the Taiwan matter [is now?] a lesser issue since the [United?] Nations has voted to [expel?] Taiwan and seat China. [Although?] Americans are allowed to visit China, some [restrictions?] still exist. For example, Kim Woodard, a political scientist from Stanford University and one of the Iowa City visitors, said he believes that "those who can make a contribution will get in." He said that the Chinese are worried about disturbing relations if all tourists are allowed. Woodard said that there is a better chance for a Chinese-American to visit than for a "WASP." He added that only a few individuals are permitted entrance and that it is best to go with a group. Levin, Woodard, and his wife, Judith, said Tuesday the idea that the Chinese common man is not happy with his role is a myth. "Ninety-eight per cent of the masses are very happy. The people have what they never had before; full employment, housing, security. The inequities of the pre-1949, period have been removed," Levin said. Ms. Woodard, who taught in Taiwan and Hong Kong, said "before 1949 there was no medical care, education and there was much starvation; the people lacked individuality. Now they have corrected most of these problems." "Before 1949 there was nothing here, the cultural revolution represented a burgeoning of culture," Ms. Woodard said. Developing countries "need intellectual creativity and China is trying to stimulate that creativity ..." she added. Ms. Woodard said that "art and culture have to serve the whole people. The Chinese people would laugh at the Kennedy Cultural Center since it is aimed just at a restricted audience. There is a tremendous groundswell for creativity and cultural activity." The group spent four hours with Chou, who said he thought the American government, not the people, is the enemy of the Chinese. "He seemed rather apolgetic when we asked him, in view of that, why he invited President Nixon to visit," Levin said. According to Levin, Chou believes the "time has come for our countries to talk; unfortunately you have only one president." Chou apparently was referring to the willingness of many visiting Americans to advance friendly relations between the countries, Levin added. Levin said that the Chinese common man thinks that if Nixon is sincere, something substantive will b accomplished by his visit. He added that the Chinese consider talking a form of struggle and that if "Nixon wants to talk, fine, but we won't let down our guard." The three said Chou was quick to say that China "doesn't tell North Vietnam what to do in the Indochina conflict," but that they (China) would try to use their influence to end the war. Chou told the group the Chinese would not "turn their backs on developing countries trying to get out of their ruts." and that China's policy is and will be one of non-intervention. Levin said that the Chinese will lend their "moral support, bur without sending soldiers." Ms. Woodard said the Chinese are very optimistic and that they think "each nation will rise up against oppression to solve their problems in their own ways." She said that the Chinese people are traditionally "politically apathetic," but that they will demand greater freedom in the future. The Chinese people are "proud of what Chairman Mao has done. For the first time in nearly 200 years, the people have a new pride or dignity," the group stated. The group will show a film and provide commentary today at the Union from 9 to 12 a.m. in the New Ballroom.