Volume CXXXIII, Number 2 September 14, 2001 f

Pickering speaks on U.S.-China policy
ALISON L. McCONNELL
Sports Editor

Ambassador Thomas Pickering '53 spoke in Pickard Theater last Friday night to an auditorium filled with students, faculty, and members of the community. In a speech entitled "U.S. and China Now," he illuminated the complexities of relations between the two nations based upon his diplomatic experience.
Mr. Pickering began by speaking generally about the changes he has witnessed in China over the past 40 years in his field. He said that the nation's move toward westernization and a more capitalist economic system makes a relationship with China "a matter of incredible importance to the United States."

Ambassador Thomas Pickering '53. (Courtesy of Boeing Co.)

He further stated that, because of several factors, "[The United States is] working hard to see China as a regular player in the system; to include China in regional and global institutions...[Things such as] China's membership in the nuclear club, its permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and its sheer size make it a hard player to ignore."

While Mr. Pickering asserted that the nation has full access to weapons of mass destruction, he also said that China "is not yet a world strategic power."
The ambassador insinuated that much is unknown about Chinese affairs. In areas like world peace, terrorism, drugs, and international crime, "some cooperation exists...[however,] much can be further developed," he said.

At several instances, Mr. Pickering wove some humor into his mostly serious speech. He drew laughs after saying that "Mao would be rolling in his mausoleum" if the late Chinese leader knew of the nation's recent political changes.

After speaking more generally about progress in China and international leaders' need to "base talks on a common acceptance of realities," Mr. Pickering summed up his planned speech by saying that China is "an extremely important country for the U.S.A, [one that] will help to determine what happens in Asia" and in many other parts of the world.

Following his speech, the Ambassador fielded several questions from the crowd, answering inquiries ranging from his view of 'new' issues in China (environmental concerns and the like) to comparing the Soviet and Chinese Communist Party machines.

When asked about his most valuable career experience, Pickering cited his United Nations work during the Middle East crisis. Calling it an unprecedented international incident, he said that "...perhaps the greatest opportunity and greatest challenge I've had was at the UN during the Gulf War."

Mr. Pickering's experience in conflict-ridden nations like Jordan and Israel also drew a question regarding the current ethnic and political situations of the region. The United States, according to the ambassador, needs to use its influence in "a particularly perilous time in the Middle East," especially given the United States' record of "leadership in the past and our tremendous role at present."

According to Pickering, Americans "should never be complacent-we should continue to think about where we're going and not rest on our [economic] laurels...We need to see the globe as something that can represent great challenges for us."

Mr. Pickering also spoke about issues such as human rights violations, the United States' 'One-China' policy, and environmental problems. "China is still heavily dependent on coal as a major power source, which is a huge and difficult problem," he said.

One audience member's question addressed current politics in China, and Mr. Pickering indicated that he feels much can be improved: "The political system remains hierarchal, autocratic, and rigid, despite economic growth," he said. "The question is, will China exist economically more free and politically more bound forever? Will rapid economic development produce demand for political change?"

Mr. Pickering graduated cum laude from Bowdoin, with high honors in history. He earned Masters degrees at Tufts and Melbourne Universities and also spent time in the Navy before embarking on a career in international diplomacy. Mr. Pickering has held more ambassadorial posts in his career than anyone in United States history. Posts in Russia, India, Israel, El Salvador, Nigeria, and Jordan line his resumé. He speaks many languages including French, Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, and Hebrew.

Mr. Pickering's recent career includes positions as the United States' United Nations representative from 1989-1993 and the Undersecretary of State from 1997-2000. The ambassador currently holds the office of Senior Vice President for International Relations at Boeing, Inc.

Ambassador Pickering's talk was sponsored by the John C. Donovan Lecture Fund, and was, as he stated, suggestive of "some great themes for term papers" for Bowdoin students.