Historically, Roosevelt was really dragged out by the three allies and was forced to choose a compromise location. After all, geographically speaking, Egypt is located in the middle area between China, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, so no one would feel that they had lost face.
and momentum.
According to Roosevelt's original plan, the Cairo Conference should be attended by the heads of state of the four countries, and he included Stalin.
But Stalin refused to do it, because the Soviet Union and Japan signed a neutrality treaty, and Japan and China were in a state of war. Therefore, after the Cairo Conference, Roosevelt had to arrange a Yalta Conference to discuss issues related to the Soviet Union.
Wartime and postwar issues.
Chang Kaishen was very satisfied with the location in Cairo. He asked: "Because of the Stilwell issue, China's relations have deteriorated repeatedly. If I participate in the summit, I will inevitably have differences with Roosevelt on certain issues. Will this make China
U.S. relations are becoming more rigid? If I don’t reject Roosevelt, won’t I be unable to fight for China’s interests? How does Mingcheng think this situation should be resolved?”
"Fight for what you have to fight for. Roosevelt is not a child, he will take the overall situation into consideration." Zhou Hexuan said.
Chiang Kai-shek had never been enthusiastic about participating in the Allied Summit. Even though the United States had set the venue for the meeting in Cairo, he still didn't want to go. This situation left Roosevelt extremely speechless and he could only make Chiang Kai-shek happy like a child, especially by proposing to hold the meeting in Cairo.
The "Moscow Declaration" allowed China to be listed, and old Chiang Kai-shek was finally happy. In fact, the "Moscow Declaration" was the result of the foreign ministers' meeting of Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union, and it had nothing to do with China.
In addition to fearing that relations between China and the United States would continue to deteriorate, there were two other reasons why Chiang Kai-shek was unwilling to attend the summit.
First, Chiang Kai-shek felt that China had been abandoned by Britain, despised by the United States, and envied by the Soviet Union (Chiang Kai-shek's original words). Even if he went to meetings, he would just be a foil and a wedding dress. At most, he would gain the false reputation of one of the four international giants.
.
Second, Chiang Kai-shek believed that he was not suitable for diplomacy and did not have proficient social skills. He once messed up in a diplomatic event, so he warned himself: "From now on, European and American personnel must be seen less often, not as a last resort, not to be received, let alone common."
The remaining thick, straight, short and clumsy parts should be hidden and not exposed for the sake of the country's self-respect."
But no matter how many reasons there are, Chang Kaishen's unwillingness to participate in international summits has exposed his short-term international vision.
What the hell is it that only works hard to fight without holding meetings to share the spoils?
If it were the leader of another country, who would not go there happily and eager to get more benefits at the meeting? Even if the benefits are invisible and intangible, even if they are temporarily unable to obtain the benefits, they should be determined in international documents first.
Come down.
Chiang Kai-shek chose to escape reality. If Roosevelt had not invited him five or six times, there would have been no Chinese face at the Cairo Conference.
Hearing what Zhou Hexuan said, Chang Kaishen said he was very embarrassed: "China's most important thing is to win the Anti-Japanese War, so it cannot offend Britain and the United States too much. But as the leader of China, I cannot betray national interests. On issues such as Hong Kong and Kowloon,
We definitely can't come to an agreement with Churchill. We can't argue, but we have to argue. What should we do? Alas, China's own strength is not strong enough, otherwise why should we look at the faces of other countries?"
Zhou Hexuan asked: "How many times has President Roosevelt invited you?"
"This is the third time," Chang Kaishen said. "Originally I was unwilling to go to the meeting, but if I refuse again, I'm afraid Roosevelt will be angry. That's why I asked Mingcheng to come and discuss it."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Why did Roosevelt invite Chinese leaders to meetings again and again? This shows that the Chinese battlefield plays a decisive role in the entire world war. This is China's confidence, and this is also your confidence, Chairman. Anti-fascism
The war must be won, so the focus of this meeting is how to secure China’s post-war interests!”
Chang Kaishen told the truth in front of Zhou Hexuan: "I'm afraid there will be another Versailles."
"Even if there is another Versailles, it will be beneficial to China. At least we have won benefits on paper." Zhou Hexuan advised.
Chang Kaishen added: "I have a bad relationship with Churchill. I'm afraid we can't reach an agreement at all on the Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tibet issues. Is there any good way to do this?"
Perhaps it was because Zhou Hexuan was so famous, or maybe it was because Zhou Hexuan had written more than 100 papers on international current affairs in recent years, so Chiang Kai-shek believed in Zhou Hexuan's international vision and couldn't wait to invite Zhou Hexuan for discussion.
Zhou Hexuan thought for a while and said: "The key lies in the United States."
"What does the issue of Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tibet have to do with the United States?" Chang Kaishen couldn't understand it at all.
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "When the war is over, Britain will inevitably lose its status as the world's number one power, and the United States will become the new hegemon. In order to consolidate its hegemony, the United States will definitely take action against Britain, such as forcing Britain to give up certain colonies. Committee members
The Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tibet issues that make you embarrassed are actually in the interests of the United States. The United States is eager for Britain to compromise with China. Therefore, as long as you show support for the United States' post-war strategy, I believe that Roosevelt will fully help you."
"Roosevelt will really help me?" Chang Kaishen expressed doubts.
In Chang Kaishen's diary during the Anti-Japanese War, his attitude toward Britain and the United States was one of inferiority and resentment. He felt abandoned and despised by Britain and the United States, and regarded both Roosevelt and Churchill as bastards who looked down on the poor, so he did not believe them at all.
Roosevelt would help him.
"Yes, Roosevelt wanted Britain's overseas power to weaken," Zhou Hexuan said. "During negotiations, your tone must be gentle and your attitude must be tough. You don't have to talk too much nonsense to Churchill, you just need to keep hinting to Roosevelt and expressing China
As long as it supports U.S. interests in Asia and Europe after the war."
"I understand," Chang Kaishen took out a few more documents, "Mingcheng, take a look at this again, is there anything else that needs to be added?"
These documents were discussed in Chang Kaishen's chamber, and they are about China's interests after the war. The general contents are: Japan should return Northeast China, Taiwan, and Penghu to China, guarantee the independence of Korea after the war, guarantee the independence of Thailand after the war, and guarantee
The status of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asian countries. There are also some disposal plans for Japan, Sino-US economic cooperation plans, proposals for leasing supplies to the United States, etc.
Zhou Hexuan smiled and picked up the globe, pointed to the southeast of China and said: "We can add two more to ensure the independence of Ryukyu and return the Diaoyu Islands to China."
Chang Kaishen didn't take Ryukyu and the Diaoyu Islands seriously at all. He said casually: "It's absolutely fine. Is there anything else?"
Zhou Hexuan said: "If you want to make good friends with Roosevelt, you can add a few more items. For example, Japan will be taken over by the United States after the war, the United States can legally station troops in Japan, the military expenditures of the US military in Japan should be provided by Japan, etc. I believe that Roosevelt will definitely
very happy."
"Yes, these should be added." Chang Kaishen felt suddenly enlightened, and finally no longer afraid of being a foil at international summits.