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Chinese politics can be extremely volatile but the United States is gamb
ling that the "progressive" forces now in charge of Peking will continue
to rule for the foreseeable future.
On China's part, the men in Peking want to more fully tap the technological
prowess of America in their modernization drive. They had been saying all
along that this was possible in its fullest extent only with diplomatic
relations. It could be possible also that the Chinese played a bit upon
Mr. Carter's own frustration in foreign relations by grasping the olive
branch when they did: after the collapse of the Middle East peace offensive,
the President was certainly eager to claim a victory elsewhere.
There are two major consequences of America's new open door to China that
should be considered. The first deals with the impact upon the Soviet
Union, and, in turn, the Soviets' relations with Europe. UPI reported the
following on December 16:
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"Formal diplomatic relations between the United States and China will make
some Soviet military leaders see Peking as a bigger threat, and may
result in an increased build-up of Russian troops on the border between
the two nations. Some senior American officers see that type of Russian
military diversion as not such a bad thing for the United States' NATO
alliance.
"While China's armed forces are no match for the m�litary power of the
Soviet Union, U.S. sources familiar with Soviet thinking say that makes
little difference in the minds of Russian officers. According to a senior
U.S. officer acquainted with Soviet generals, 'Their nightmare is� Chinese
?ttack on� second front if they become involved in a European war.'
"The Soviet Union now spends an estimated 20 percent of its annual military
budget of around $140 billion on its Far Eastern military establishment.
While its new SS-20 medium range nuclear missiles are aimed primarily at
Europe, launch sites already have been prepared facing China. More than
40 Soviet army divisions are stationed along the Sino-Soviet frontier.
That compares to about 70 targeted against NATO nations. There are others
deep inside Russia that could be used on either front."
The Soviet Union's paranoia over China has been undoUQtedly increased by
the new venture by Washington, even though the U.S. disavows the move as
being anti-Soviet. Will this increase the c�ances of a Moscow overture
toward Western Europe, especially Germany?
Secondly -- and most important -- the remarkable breakthrough between
Washington and Peking could very likely increase the opportunity of the
fulfillment of Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come."
Up until now, one-fourth of humanity has heen effectivelv blocked of from
the gospel announcement It is Christ who sets before this Church in this
age "an open door." Is He the one who is really behind China's remarkable
new Open Door to the West and the U.S.? The new year may tell.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau