[War] US/PRC: Meeting of the Poles, Part 2

[John Penta]

"Meeting of the Poles"  Part  Two

President Xia Hong
The People's Republic of China
President  John Williams
The United States of America

August 1,  2014
========================================

"Yes. Let them go  already. We'll swap back some of your people that
are being held at  Leavenworth in exchange."

"You know I can not do that."  Xia stated  flatly.  "You aren't holding
any of our 'people' as you say, to my  knowledge.  Even if you 'were'
however, the fact remains they were not  providing material support,
training, equipment, and even participating in,  the murdering of
American citizens.  The two agents we have in custody  can not say the
same."  She removed a colored photograph, a Xinhua  archive photo of
the three-dozen Chinese soldiers killed in the largest  insurgent
attack and prosecuted with American support.  "Less you  forget, mister
President, that 'is' your handy work.  I wonder what your  comrades you
lost in Iraq to Iranian and Syrian supported groups using  identical
tactics would think of you for employing the same strategies  the
American government decries as barbaric and cruel.  Were they  simple
spies conducting a routine espionage mission I would  absolutely
trade... they're not.  It's an issue best to  drop."

"For now, I will accede to that." Williams replied, his voice even  -
the comparison to the Iranians was a low blow. But nonetheless,  he
suppressed the passing desire to snap Hong's neck with his bare  hands.
Better than he could have managed a few months back, he  realized.
"Moving on."

Xia nodded as she looked down at the itinerary and took a sip of her  glass.
If she caught any inflection of anger in his voice, or was  self-satisfied
with the comment, it sure didn't show.  Instead she took her  time to allow
everyone to get on the same page.  "Naturally Taiwan is a  critical
concern of my
government.  Your offer to sell advanced weaponry,  whether made for political
purposes or of genuine concern, threatens to further  destabilize the Far
East, Mister President.  I would very much like the  United States to be a
partner in an open, stable, peaceful Pacific rim... I fear  that this
policy, acted
upon or not, would virtually guarantee China's inability  to actively work
with the United States."

"You realize, of course, that legislation binds my hands on the issue
- and to be frank, I think it would be better if any movement on the
matter occurred once it becomes a burning issue - The Taiwanese
haven't even requested any sales approvals yet." Williams replied
smoothly. "I think we could reconsider the matter of approvals...but
if they aren't even taking up current offers, it's sort of a dead
issue as a practical matter, and probably better thus to let sleeping
dogs lie. We do, however, intend to hold to the status quo where
possible."

With that, the conversation turned to...easier topics, like product
safety, alternative fuels research, and environmental matters.

But it could not be said to be more than a mediocre success.
---
Actions:
1. US agents discussed - no movement occurs;
2. Taiwan discussed - issue held in abeyance until Taiwan actually
asks for something.
3. Progress made on product safety - a joint commission will meet to
work out mutually acceptable technical improvements.
4. Progress made on alternative fuels research - aides will look to
see where joint research could be productive.