Restoration of China's UN seat: major historic event that changes world pattern   2002-09-10 08:06:46 China is one of the founding members of the United Nations. In 1949, the Chinese people overthrew the Chiang Kai－shek's rule and founded the People's Republic of China, the lawful seat in the United Nations should logically be held by the People's Republic of China, the only legal representative of China. However, due to the obstruction by the United States and other Western forces, China's legal right in the United Nations had been unreasonably deprived of for more than 20 years. In 1971, the situation underwent major changes, in July US National Security Affairs Assistant Henry Kissinger paid a secret visit to China, after which he declared that US President Richard Nixon would visit China； in October, Kissinger paid a second visit to China. The motion tabled by 23 countries including Albania and Algeria concerning the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations was passed by an overwhelming majority. After the Chinese Delegation's arrival in New York, lots of interesting news were heard. In order to obstruct the passing of this motion, US Ambassador Bush and other US officials to the UN were said to have held talks more than 200 times with representatives from over 100 countries. Some countries voiced their dissatisfaction, saying: "you Americans get in touch with China while asking us to oppose China, what kind of logic is this？” Despite some abstentions, the motion was passed with an overwhelming majority at the time of voting. At the time, long－time warm applause and cheers resounded through the big hall. The Americans were greatly angry, but felt helpless. Making first appearance: Chinese Delegation to the UN On October 26, 1971, the then UN Secretary－general U Thant sent a cable to Chinese Acting Foreign Minister Ji Pengfei, officially informed him of the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on restoring China's all rights in the United Nations and immediately ousting Chiang Kai－shek's representative. On October 29, Ji Pengfei sent a message to U Thant, telling him that China would soon send a delegation to attend the UN General Assembly session. Members of the Delegation were decided on by Chairman Mao himself, he designated Qiao Guanhua （vice－foreign minister） as head of the Delegation. Premier Zhou concretely led the work of organizing the Delegation. Zhang Hanzhi said that before the departure of the Delegation, Chairman Mao repeatedly received and instructed the Delegation. When the Chairman met with them the last time, he gave very important words, "Nothing venture, nothing gain." The Chairman meant to say that we went to the United Nations was to occupy this position. More than 4,000 people including Party and State leaders Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying and all members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee as well as envoys of many countries saw the Chinese Delegation off at the airport On November 9, 1971. Commentaries from foreign news agencies said that the seeing－off ceremony was as grand as that of welcoming foreign heads of state, indicating top Chinese leaders' high attention and expectations of the Chinese Delegation who made their first appearance in the UN General Assembly. The first appearance of the Chinese Delegation in the United Nations was also regarded as a major event by the US side. Reporters of various major media also came for news covering and waited at the New York Kennedy Airport for their arrival. Heart－stirring: Chinese Delegation Warmly Welcomed in UN The Chinese Delegation scheduled to attend the 26th UN General Assembly arrived in New York on November 11. On November 14, Qiao Guanhua handed in the credentials of the Chinese Delegation to U Thant who was then receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The next day, the Chinese Delegation attended the UN General Assembly session for the first time. When mentioning the situation about this, Zhang Hanzhi was very excited, saying that when "we came to the assembly hall of the UN, the UN Protocol Department head greeted Qiao Guanhua and his party at the gate which was thronged with reporters who were rushing to take a "historic" snapshot. One photo shows the laughing Qiao Guanhua as he stepped into the assembly hall. His laugh indicated the pride and self－confidence of the Chinese people. An acute foreign photographer took a timely snapshot of this moment that was later awarded a world news prize in Switzerland. Chinese Delegation's presence at the session was a matter of great sensation. Representatives of many friendly countries came forward to express their congratulations and welcome. President of the General Assembly session first delivered his welcoming speech, then representatives of many countries mounted the platform one after another to take the floor, welcoming the Chinese Delegation. Altogether there were 57 representatives, including US and Soviet delegates, spoke at the General Assembly session. Zhang Hanzhi said that evening, delegation head Qiao delivered an important speech, which was also a grand, unprecedented occasion. The Chinese Delegation's first arrival at the United Nations created a great stir among the UN working personnel. Most of the personnel with the UN Chinese Language Section came from Taiwan, totaling several hundred. One of them was Gu Juzhen, eldest daughter of renowned modern Chinese diplomat Gu Weijun. After the Chinese Delegation came to the United Nations, some of them gave up their job as employees of the UN Chinese Language Section, but the majority of them remained and adopted a wait－and－see attitude toward the Chinese Delegation. What they saw was that the Chinese people did not acknowledge the superiority of the United States and the Soviet Union, unlike the original "Taiwan group" who always tailed after the Americans. When they saw that China had the style of its own, they felt proud as being Chinese. Zhang Hanzhi clearly remembered the words Gu Juzhen told her at that time: "Do you know what is my feeling at the moment? I feel China is in its heyday just like that after the rejuvenation of the Tang Dynasty and is enjoying rising national strength." Gu's attitude was illustrative. Those working personnel from Taiwan had also gradually changed their attitude, willingly serving the Chinese Delegation. Source: peopledaily.com