Four-Character Poem · To President Nixon

(1972)

An old man sits on a stool[1]

Chang'e flies to the moon[2]

Viewing flowers from horseback[3]

[1] "Sitting on a stool" means sitting and waiting. This line is a metaphor for the past state of Sino-American relations. For many years, Mao Zedong and other leaders of the older generation had been seeking to break the deadlock in Sino-American relations but had not received a response from the American side. These leaders were already advanced in age. Mao Zedong and other Chinese leaders waited day after day, year after year, for the American side to change its attitude.

[2] This line metaphorically describes the changes in the American side's approach to Sino-American relations. Nixon had referred to Kissinger's secret visit to China as "Operation Apollo." When bidding farewell to congressional leaders before his departure for China, Nixon quoted the inscription on the moon landing monument: "We came in peace for all mankind." Chang'e flew to the moon precisely to break through confinement. This line is Mao Zedong's witty praise of Nixon for finally overcoming resistance.

[3] This line summarizes the current state and future of Sino-American relations. Sino-American relations are a relationship that involves both differences and contradictions, yet must continue to develop. The arrangement of Kissinger's secret visit to China via Pakistan was even more dramatic than the matchmaker-arranged "viewing flowers from horseback" style of blind date comedy. From this metaphor, we can further understand that only by facing reality, proceeding from the overall situation of international relations, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, can this relationship continue to develop.