In the history of the United Nations, the United States and the Soviet Union were once the biggest rivals. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union fought for hegemony. The two countries often regarded the United Nations as a battlefield, formed gangs and under

In the history of United Nations , the United States and the Soviet Union were the biggest rivals. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union fought for hegemony. The two countries often regarded the United Nations as a battlefield, formed cliques, and broke up with each other.

For example, at UN meetings, the US proposals were often rejected by the Soviet Union. The number of times the former Soviet Union used veto power set a record for the United Nations, with a total of 122 times. Among them, the Soviet Union used veto power more than 80 times in the first 20 years after the establishment of the United Nations.

Americans once satirized the Soviet ambassador to the United Nations as "Mr.No", which the Chinese translated as "Mr. Shaking His Head".

And in United Nations Security Council , the new China, which had just returned to the United Nations in the 1970s, was much more harmonious. China was peaceful on many international issues, generally did not participate in disputes between the United States and the Soviet Union, and voted more abstentions.

China will vote on a key "opposition" vote only when it involves China's fundamental interests or international peace.

But in October 1981, the Chinese government cast "opposition" in the vote for 16 consecutive times, which surprised the whole world. Moreover, what China opposes this time is not a major issue such as war or territorial disputes, but just a choice of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

China firmly opposes the US nomination of Austrian people Waldheim, supporting Tanzanian Salim .

The United States has been nominated, and China has always opposed it; China has always nominated, and the United States has always opposed it. In the end, Salim and Waldheim both withdrew from the election.

40 years ago, why did this UN Secretary-General dispute attract China's attention? Why did China reject Waldheim for 16 consecutive times? What impact does this incident have on China’s diplomacy?

1. Waldheim: Secretary-General standing at the forefront of the storm

At the beginning of the establishment of the United Nations, the " United Nations Charter " adopted by the San Francisco Conference stipulated a series of UN staff, among which the highest position was the "Secretary-General".

Secretary-General is the coordinator of all UN conferences and departments. He is responsible for organizing and convening general meetings to handle personnel, economic and administrative issues within the United Nations, and provides work reports to UN General Assembly .

In addition, in diplomacy, the Secretary-General of the United Nations is also an important force in the international political arena. His opinions expressed represent the United Nations and most countries must accept or refer to them.

So after the beginning of the Cold War , the Secretary-General of the United Nations often went to various parts of the world to mediate disputes, and both sides of the conflict would give face.

In order to ensure the fairness of the United Nations, in principle, citizens of the five permanent members cannot serve as secretary-generals to avoid causing uneasiness to small countries.

Except for the British man Gladwin served as secretary-general for one year when the United Nations was born in 1945, this position has always been held by politicians in small countries.

After Gladwin, the second secretary-general was the Swedish Hammarskjöld, the third secretary-general was the Burmese Wu Dan , and the fourth was the Austrian Waldheim.

, and Waldheim's term of office was from 1972 to 1981, and he had served for two terms. Before him, Hammarskjöld and Wu Dan had been re-elected for two terms.

However, in 1981, the United Nations Secretary-General's election changed, the United States and Western countries actually wanted Waldheim to be re-elected , because the United Nations Secretary-General has no term limit, this idea is completely feasible on the surface.

It can be seen from this that although the Five Constant State does not send people to serve as Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Five Constant State is also affecting the candidates for this seat. Without the Five Constant State's consent, the Secretary-General cannot be regarded as the Secretary-General.

As an Austrian Waldheim joined the Nazi Defense Forces during World II and experienced the cruel baptism of Eastern Front battlefield .

After the war, Waldheim graduated from the Austrian Academy of Foreign Affairs and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, he has served as Secretary of the Austrian Embassy in France, served as Austrian representative to the United Nations, and became Austrian Foreign Minister in 1968.

1972, Waldheim was nominated as Secretary-General of the United Nations, and this nomination was supported by the Five Constables.

At that time, except for his early military career as a Nazi, this politician had no political stains, and Austria remained neutral at the junction of the Eastern and Western camps. Warsaw Pact and NATO both recognized this candidate.

China initially did not recognize Waldheim and wanted to nominate politicians from third world countries. In the end, the Austrian government sent people to China to plead for mercy, and China agreed to choose Waldheim.

2. China considers the international situation and supports Salim

Waldheim's world development during his tenure is basically stable. After the new China returns to the United Nations, the United Nations is also very friendly to China.

Waldheim worked as secretary-general for 10 years. After the two terms were over, it was logical that he would be replaced, but the United States actually suggested that he be re-elected, which made China and other third-world countries angry.

Before Waldheim, his first two secretary-generals worked for two, and even the Swedish Hammarskjöld died in an air crash before he finished his second term. To be fair, China believes that it should be replaced now, and politicians from the third world will take on this great task.

As early as 1971, China supported Tanzanian politician Salim, but Salim was eventually defeated. Ten years have passed, and China has decided to firmly support Salem again and firmly oppose Waldheim's re-election.

In the autumn of 1981, when the United Nations Secretary-General changed its term, Waldheim announced that he would fight for his third term, and there were already discussions in third world countries. However, the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, France and other Security Council countries all support Waldheim. In this case, President Deng Xiaoping asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the representatives to the United Nations to firmly oppose Waldheim's re-election and to "oppose to the end."

On October 27, 1981, the Security Council voted for the candidate for the Secretary-General of the United Nations. A total of 15 countries voted, Waldheim received 10 votes, 4 abstentions, and China objected. Tanzania's Salim received 11 votes, 3 abstentions, and the United States voted against it.

China and the United States have begun to confront each other, and the two sides have not given way to each other.

From the end of October to the end of November, the United Nations conducted a total of 16 rounds of voting, and on November 17, the most voted, eight votes were held in one day.

But the voting results are the same: if you choose Waldheim, China does not agree; if you choose Salim, the United States does not agree. The seat of the United Nations Secretary-General is so empty, and China and the United States will never give in.

Waldheim was also embarrassed. He once expressed his confusion and did not know what he had offended China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry After learning the news, he immediately sent someone to see Waldheim to comfort him that China affirmed his achievements over the past 10 years. The Chinese government also respected his character and recognized his abilities.

also explained to him that the election of the Secretary-General of the United Nations has nothing to do with him, and it is a question of the international order.

China supports Salem in essence to balance the political power of the United Nations, not for self-interest, nor for disruption.

981 election for the new election of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the African Union elected Salim, who was former Prime Minister of Tanzania, served as foreign minister, and was a famous African politician.

In 1981, Salim not only received support from the AU, but also from the Arab world, which is the call for colonial countries in Asia and Africa.

China expressed its support for Salem, which means standing on the united front with the Third World.

At that time, China had reformed and opened up, but its diplomatic strategy of advancing and retreating with third world countries was not shaken. Looking back at that time, 10 years ago, African countries "carried China into the United Nations", and it is necessary for China to help the African Union on this issue.

3. The United States has seen China's attitude and the world has seen China's power

In addition to maintaining international fairness and justice, China and the United States are actually competing secretly at this time.

China officially announced reform and opening up in 1978, and officially established diplomatic relations with the United States the following year, and the relationship between the two countries entered a new era. However, the United States still maintained support for the Taiwan regime at that time and still sold arms to Taiwan.

China demanded that the United States stop arms sales to Taiwan. China and the United States began to discuss the matter in 1981, but the United States has a tough attitude, and Reagan even threatened China to lower its diplomatic hierarchy.

However, on the Taiwan issue, China's position is extremely firm and does not give in. The United States must stop arms sales to Taiwan in the end.

China and the United States are negotiating on this issue. China also needs to put pressure on the United States on the international stage so that the United States can see China's international influence. so choosing Salem, no Waldheim is also a diplomatic means of China.

The United Nations has not elected a candidate for secretary-general for a month. This is unprecedented in the history of the United Nations. All countries also feel helpless. Unexpectedly, the fight between China and the United States has affected the whole world.

In early December 11981, because China and the United States refused to give in to each other, Waldheim and Salim, the favorites of the Secretary-General's election that year, both announced their withdrawal from the election. In the end, De Kriar, a Peruvian, participated in the election, and both China and the United States agreed this time.

After all, Peru is also a small country in the third world. De Kriar has the experience of being an ambassador to the Soviet Union and has a good relationship with the Eastern camp. At the same time, as an American politician, the United States is willing to accept him as Secretary-General .

1 The "Secretary-General Fight" in 981 has come to an end, but the impact of this incident is far more than that - China's rare "16 vetos" at the United Nations has allowed the whole world to see China's toughness in diplomatic affairs.

As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations, China has been very low-key in the first 10 years since its return to the United Nations and will basically not confront anyone publicly. This time, we wrestled with the United States with the . Western countries were surprised, while third world countries were excited.

, especially the African Union and the Arab League, believe that China is a diplomatic reliable friend, and China's international status has been further improved.

And within the US government, this "16-game veto" also made it difficult for the Reagan administration to handle.

At that time, China and the United States were discussing arms sales to Taiwan. The United States was aggressive. China's performance at the United Nations had to make the Reagan administration consider the consequences of breaking up with China.

In the past 10 years since China returned to the international community, its position in the international community has become increasingly important, involving international major events. Without China, a permanent member, nodding, it will be difficult for the United States to advance some strategies.

Finally, after comprehensive consideration, Reagan began to surrender.

In the summer of 11982, after a year of negotiations between China and the United States, China and the United States issued the " August 17 Communiqué ".

Communiqué stipulates: "The United States promises to gradually reduce and finally stop arms sales to Taiwan. China will give the United States time to advance this matter, but it also supervises the behavior of the United States."

The August 17 Communiqué is the last of the three major communiqués of China and the United States, and one of the cornerstones of normal diplomacy between China and the United States, which is conducive to promoting China's peaceful reunification process.

As for China's 16-game veto votes in the United Nations, it was indeed a clever decision that killed two birds with one stone.

text/Business Wisdom

Reference materials:

, "1981, China's "passionate veto" at the United Nations", Wu Hao

, "In 1981, China decisively rejected the mystery of Waldheim 16 times at the United Nations", Ning Daoyi, Song Liying, Fu Zhengzheng