When the US and China Were Allies 70 years ago, the U.S. was full of pro-Chinese propaganda, encouraging friendship with a wartime ally. By Shannon Tiezzi August 21, 2015 Today, many observers believe the U.S.-China relationship is at one of its lowest points since the normalization of ties in 1979. Growing tensions over cyber issues and the South China Sea are already threatening to overshadow a long-planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States in September of this year. But the U.S.-China relationship used to be far different. As the world commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, let’s also take a look back at the U.S.-China alliance during the war period – and, particularly, how China was portrayed as a friend and ally in popular discourse in America. Early on, U.S. aid to China was limited to diplomatic pronouncements opposing Japan’s invasion of China. In 1940, Washington went a step further — Roosevelt approved credits to the Chinese government that would be used to purchase war supplies. After Japan signed its Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy in September 1940, the U.S. instituted a full embargo on Japan. Negotiations with Japan in 1940 and 1941 made little headway, in part because public sentiment (including among U.S. officials) demanded a full Japanese military withdrawal from China. After the Pearl Harbor bombing in December 1941, the United States declared war on the Japan and further strengthened its political and military ties with China. At around the same time, pro-China propaganda efforts ramped up in the United States. Frank Capra’s famous film series, Why We Fight, included an hour-long installment devoted to the “Battle of China,” which decried Japanese atrocities and glorified the Chinese resistance. The film frames its narrative around the opening question: “Why are these innocent Chinese men, women, and children to die underneath a hail of Japanese bombs?” Meanwhile, Time magazine (whose founder, Henry Luce, had grown up in China and was friends with China’s leader, Chiang Kai-shek) made sure readers were aware of China’s plight. Chiang appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1938 and again in 1942, reminding American readers of the hardships of war China was enduring. He and his wife, Soong Mei-ling (often simply called Madame Chiang), were named Time’s “International Man & Wife of the Year” for 1937 for their resistance to Japanese occupation. The American-educated Soong in particular became a passionate defender of China’s cause before U.S. audiences. In 1943, she delivered an address before a joint session of Congress, becoming the first Chinese person (and the second woman of any nationality) to do to. She reminded her audience that by February 1943, a little over a year after the United States joined the war, China had “bled and borne unflinchingly the burden of war for more than five and a half years.” She spoke of “our united effort to free mankind from brutality and violence,” sentiments echoed today when leaders in Beijing speak of China’s role in the “World Anti-Fascist War.” In particular, though, Soong tried to convince Americans that Japan was as great a threat as Germany: "Let us not forget that Japan in her occupied areas today has greater resources at her command than Germany. Let us not forget that the longer Japan is left in undisputed possession of these resources, the stronger she must become. Each passing day takes more toll in lives of both Americans and Chinese." This narrative of unity between Americans and Chinese also became the focus of a charity drive, spearheaded by United China Relief. Founded in 1941, United China Relief combined pre-existing groups dedicated to raising funds for war-torn China. The group went beyond mere fund-raising, however, to conduct its own information campaign, seeking to spread awareness of China’s plight through emotional appeals in both films and posters. One such documentary on China, produced in 1944 by United China Relief, Inc., introduces Americans to their faraway allies: “China once seemed almost as remote as the moon to us here in America… [But] our common struggle has brought its people close to our hearts. Today our soldiers and theirs fight together on many battlefields.” A 1941 United China Relief documentary contains an intriguing quote from Pearl S. Buck, an American who grew up in China and set her novels in the country. “I believe that China is at this very moment a pivot nation,” Buck said. “Who has her friendship will rule the future; who loses it will be lost.” Strangely, the United States sided with China to win the war – but still lost “her friendship” thanks to the Communist victory in the Civil War (and U.S. support for the opposing Nationalists). Throughout the 1940s, Americans were strongly encouraged to view China as a friend and ally, worthy of both support and sympathy. After 1949, China became the enemy, a communist nation affiliated with the Soviet Union (another World War II ally turned Cold War antagonist). China and the United States fought each other in the Korean War and turned their propaganda machines against each other. Meanwhile, the strong sense of sympathy and friendship the U.S. and China enjoyed during World War II effectively followed Chiang to Taiwan in 1949. Even now, 36 years after the U.S. cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the Republic of China enjoys strong support in the U.S. Congress and in the popular imaginations of many Americans. https://thediplomat.com/2015/08/when-the-us-and-china-were-allies/
...because you don't want to be called out for comparing an opinion about free elections with rubbing the deaths of five thousand innocent people in our faces? Yeah, I wouldn't "need" an answer, either. It was a classless take. I can understand your outage about Morey's position, even if I don't agree with it. But your throwing 9/11 in people's faces is utterly classless and inappropriate. "I want you to feel anger," you say. Because Morey made you angry. That's mature. Go ahead: keep lobbing 9/11 out there as if 5000 deaths hold no more weight than a few street protests. You aren't winning any favor with anyone over here.
Is he even a Chinese citizen? He was born in Taiwan, and educated in the US. I am guessing he doesn't live in china.
He's an executive and second largest shareholder of Alibaba, the eBay and Amazon of China, though. He is probably the NBA with the largest percentage of their net worth tied to China.
Most Americans have no clue about the Century of Humiliation that the Chinese suffered under the Qing Dynasty. He is absolutely right to bring it up and make people understand why Chinese people feel the way they do. Not a lot of sensitivity by our woke social justice warriors towards our Chinese friends. Not surprised.
Tramp is a communist (and USA is a communist country), dont let the labels deceive you, differentiating labels from the true content is the first step to wisdom....
Nvm that most of us believe whats going on in Hong Kong and other parts of China is wrong(I do too). BUT, Im willing to have discourse about it and we should be able to have a civil discussion about it since there are people from China who are her and their perspective is important and we can have a discussion of whats really going on there since a lot of us dont live there. BUT, we cant do that since they dont want to talk, they want to fire Morey, they arent interested in a discussion. Anyways, Im done for now. Im just gonna sit and wait to see what happens.
It's laughable to suggest that this is about Chinese people "feel[ing] the way they do". Is the dear leader's sensitivity to being called "Winnie the Pooh" also the result of some centuries old victimization?
He took the time to write why mainland Chinese would be upset to the point of acting brainwashed. He is explaining cultural context and cultural sensitivity. People here don't automatically assume HK protests are about Independence. Hell I thought it was a rehash of their 2016 protests. Because this current protest can be sold as Independence, then it becomes a third rail like he said. Morty stepped on that landmine because his message triggered some people into thinking he's supporting a weaker China held back by imperialism. You might think it's silly but we ****ed up Iraq because we bought into the lies the government was peddling. He's mostly trying to play mediator to put the pieces back together. Anyone who wants to move the discussion forward (like supporting HK or free speech) should look elsewhere. If you think he's a sellout, it's the opposite. His statement helps Morty's position more than hurt him if it gives him an out to save his job.
If China "fans" can change that quickly on rooting for the Rockets then they weren't actual "FANS" to begin win. You don't root for a team out of convenience, you root for them because they are like family to you. If that's how they feel then they can root for the Warriors as they fall on their face.
Very nicely put by Joe Tsai. It helps educate people why territorial integrity is so important for Chinese which is above the government, party and any other political issues. This is the deep scar for all Chinese people ( even CNP/KMT in Taiwan is against separatist). That’s why people compare Morey’s twitter against Sterling, because it is a similar scenario. The N word is linked to hundred years of blood history, and the territorial integrity is also so important because of what happened to China in 19th and early 20th centuries.
China talking about "territorial integrity" - hidden speak for what they really mean is, "we are redrawing maps and land claims the way we want them to be", aka steal land by strong-arming weaker countries. A few of MANY examples: Cambodia: “China has, on occasion, claimed parts of Cambodia on historical precedent (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644)” Japan: “Parts of the East China Sea, particularly the Senkaku Islands. Also, on occasion, the Ryukyu Islands, on the grounds that the completely independent Kingdom of Ryukyu was once a vassal state of China. The Kingdom of Ryukyu terminated tributary relations with China in 1874.” Brunei: South China Sea especially Spratly Islands. Myanmar (earlier known as Burma and as Brahmadesh of the Indian subcontinent) : “China claims large areas of Burma on historical precedent (Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368). There are unspecified border disputes with Burma.” Cambodia: “China has, on occasion, claimed parts of Cambodia on historical precedent (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644)” Laos: “China claims large areas of Laos on historical precedent (Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368)” Philippines: “Parts of the South China Sea, particularly Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands”. Vietnam: “China claims large parts of Vietnam on historical precedent (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644). Also: Macclesfield Bank, Paracel Islands, parts of the South China Sea.” On top of all of this.. you have China extending their territory by creating man-made islands in the South China sea. What's the harm? You already see the Chinese military regulating sea transport and trade in that region. No longer can ships pass freely in the South China seas. whether the ships are from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia... you name it. Not Chinese... pay a tariff. China has no shame, and always plays the "victim" mentality to justify the forcible seizure in territory disputes. Apparently, stealing people's land, claiming "historical precedence" (aka wars and Invasions hundreds of years ago) = no big deal. Maps are constantly being redrawn and distributed by China that favor China.
I'm half Chinese. The Chinese don't get justify their nationalistic fervor with humiliation. If you think Americans are clueless then how about China's neighbors? My mother is Vietnamese and the two countries had a nasty border war 40 years ago and still have tensions to this day. Maybe the Vietnamese are just being insensitive to the plight of the poor Chinese. I can't imagine why my friends from Hong Kong and Taiwan are being so insensitive towards China as well. Maybe Joe can give people from Tibet and Xinjiang a history lesson while he's at it. China sees itself as a conqueror. They once were on top and see themselves as being on top again very soon. They just don't want the West to interfere. This is not about embarrassment, this is about power.
Joe is no longer a Taiwanese or Canadian in my eyes, he should be disowned from both countries and be shipped to China where his heart lies. Most mainlander logic are so brainwashed at this point they cannot be redeemed. The mainlanders always play the victim mentality when they overlook their own country's atrocities. You can just look at all the shill accounts that pop up here at 12 midnight that defend the communist government to the death.
