Analysis Of Henry Wallace Visited China In1944

US Vice President Henry Wallace visited China in June of1944. The visit of Wallace to China was a significant matter in Sino-US relation history during the Anti-Japanese War. Wallace and Chiang Kai-shek held five meetings. The two sides exchanged views on the Sino-American cooperation, Kuomintang-Communist problems, and Sino-Soviet relationships and exchanged their respective positions. This article analyzes Sino-US relations, Kuomintang-communist relations and Sino-Soviet relationships in the first half of1944by describing the visit of Wallace to China.Wallace won Chiang Kai-shek’s approval to dispatch the United States Army Observer Group to Yan’ an. As an important outcome of Wallace to China, it was a particular scene in Sino-US military cooperation in wartime, and was also the important embodiment of the U.S. government’s policy of alliance with the KMT and the CPC. The achievement opened the door to "diplomatic" ties between the U.S. and the CPC and brought an opportunity for the CPC to close contact with the U.S. military officials, which was paid more attention to by the CPC. The succession of the United States Army Observer Group to Yan’ an not only achieved a historic communication between the U.S. military officials and the CPC, but also enhanced objective understanding between them. It reflected that America pay great attention to anti-Japanese force and democratic regime that was leaded by the CPC.Strengthening Sino-US Relations in wartime was one of the main topics of the visit of Wallace to China. On the question of Sino-US military cooperation, Wallace and Chiang Kai-shek conducted talks on morale issues of Chinese government troops, command in China and American officers’confidence in Chinese army. Chiang Kai-shek attributed the responsibilities for that Chinese troops were in retreat to inflation and lack of aid from America. Wallace made his decisions that he would support Chiang Kai-shek. He suggested Roosevelt to replace General Stilwell. But his suggestion encountered objection from the U.S. military. Finally, Roosevelt decided to strengthen Stilwell’s power in China. This decision caused problems of Stilwell’s command in China and new contradictions on Sino-US Relations. Wallace agreed to send a Roosevelt’s private representative who aimed at reconciling contradictions between Chiang and Stilwell to China. American China policy became increasingly to supporting Chiang against the communists. Wallace’s opinions on Sino-US Relations embodied ambivalence of American policy to China. On the one hand, Wallace recognized political, economical and military corruption of National Government. He believed that America should seek new partners in China. On the other hand, he thought supporting Chiang was still an inevitable policy choice.One of the chief aims of Wallace to China was mediating the relation between the KMT and the CPC. Chiang Kai-shek and Wallace did not agree on this issue. Chiang Kai-shek stated his views on the essence and goal of the CPC and the status of the negotiations between two parties. He emphasized that the CPC was supported by the Soviet Union. In his opinions, Wallace was deceived by the CPC’s propaganda and didn’t know their true purpose of taking the opportunity of joining the anti-Japanese war to seize power. America would meet with an awkward situation if they involved in this dispute between the KMT and the CPC. Chiang wanted America to remain emotionally detach from the relationships between the KMT and the CPC. Wallace suggested that National Government made a little concession to the CPC and didn’t subjectively connect with the CPC and the Soviet Union. He hoped the KMT and the CPC to reach a minimal understanding. Wallace and his party pointed out that the social roots of the contradiction between the Kuomintang and the communist party. They advised Chiang Kai-shek to implement the needed political and social reforms in an effort to win people’s support and expand the basis of power. Their suggestions hit the point and embodied the flexibility of American foreign policy. It reflected that American support for National Government was conditional.In March1944, an armed conflict between China and the Soviet Union happened in the Xinjiang border. Events in Xinjiang made relations between China and the Soviet Union suddenly tense. Wallace visited Siberia before he came to China. Harriman reported Stalin’s view on the CPC and Sino-Soviet relationships to Wallace. Wallace told Chinese government about the opinions from the Soviet leader and urged National government to improve relations with the Soviet Union. He said American government was willing to provide support to ease the Sino-Soviet relations and reach an agreement between China and the Soviet Union as soon as possible.Wallace visited Chinese and American military bases and consoled the American wounded. In many Chinese schools and colleges, he gave a speech which expressed his appreciation of Chinese people’s dedication and sacrifice during the war of resistance against Japan. Wallace accurately predicted that1945was the last year of anti-Japanese war. His visiting lifted Chinese and American soldiers and civilians’ anti-Japanese spirits and cheer for them.The visit of Wallace to China was a happening of great historical significance and a strong demonstration that China and America were wartime allies. His visit ushered in the historical period of high-level visit between China and the United States. It had a great political significance and historical status. During his visit, Wallace sent positive signal of that the U.S. government was committed to developing relations of Sino-U.S. and assisting China in resisting the Japanese to Chinese people. The two governments further enhanced the coordination and cooperation during the anti-Japanese war and construction after the war. This history witnessed a historic of Sino-American friendship.