US-China Relations Updates

On April 28th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning presided over the regular press conference. A journalist from Global Times asked: According to reports, South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivered a speech in the U.S. Congress on the 27th, stating that the United States has faced challenges to freedom over the past century and has led the defense of freedom. The U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st Division achieved a miraculous outcome by breaking through the People’s Liberation Army’s 120,000 troops in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. What is China’s comment on this?

In response to the question from the Global Times journalist, Mao Ning stated that she also noted the content of the speech delivered by the South Korean leader. Regarding the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, what I want to emphasize is that the great victory of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea has significant and far-reaching implications for China and the world. It tells the world with solid facts that any country or army that stands on the opposite side of the historical trend of development, bullies the weak, goes against the tide, expands, and aggresses, will inevitably suffer a crushing defeat. We hope that relevant countries will do more things that are conducive to world peace and development and avoid making the same mistakes.

Regarding the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Mao Ning stated that according to the Chinese war history records, a total of 36,000 enemy troops were annihilated in the battle, including 24,000 U.S. troops and a whole U.S. regiment was wiped out. Lieutenant General Edward Almond, the commander of the U.S. Eighth Army, was also killed in the confusion(Car accident). U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson called it “the longest retreat in American history.”

In-house comments:

Everyone in Congress was very happy with Moon Jae-in’s articulation of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He selects the words that only Americans want to hear.

The victory of the Chinese army in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was the result of several factors:

1. Superior tactics: The Chinese army employed a number of innovative tactics during the battle, including the use of small-unit infiltration, night attacks, and ambushes. These tactics allowed the Chinese to disrupt the U.S. and UN forces and inflict heavy casualties.
2. Terrain advantage: The battle took place in harsh winter conditions, with temperatures dropping to as low as -35°C. The rugged terrain of the Chosin Reservoir area provided natural defensive positions for the Chinese army, allowing them to hold off the U.S. and UN forces.
3. Logistics and supply lines: The Chinese army was able to maintain its supply lines and keep its troops well-fed and equipped, while the U.S. and UN forces struggled with supply shortages and logistical challenges.
4. Moral and ideological factors: The Chinese troops were highly motivated and fought with great determination, driven by a strong sense of nationalism and a belief in the righteousness of their cause. In contrast, the U.S. and UN forces were fighting a war that was increasingly unpopular and lacked a clear objective.

Overall, the victory of the Chinese army in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was a significant turning point in the Korean War and demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Chinese military.

The U.S. and UN forces faced several challenges during the Korean War, including:

1. Limited objectives: The initial objective of the U.S. and UN forces was to repel the North Korean invasion and restore the status quo. However, as the war progressed, the objectives became more ambiguous and the mission more difficult to define.
2. Difficult terrain: The mountainous terrain in Korea made it difficult for both sides to make advances and maintain supply lines. The harsh winter conditions also made it challenging to provide troops with food, clothing, and medical supplies.
3. Chinese intervention: In late 1950, China intervened in the war and sent hundreds of thousands of troops to support North Korea. This caught the U.S. and UN forces by surprise and led to a significant escalation of the conflict.
4. Limited public support: The Korean War was fought during a time of growing public disillusionment with the U.S. government and military. Many Americans were skeptical of the war’s objectives and questioned the need for U.S. involvement in a distant conflict.
5. Political constraints: The U.S. government was also constrained by political considerations, including the need to maintain good relations with other countries and avoid a larger conflict with China or the Soviet Union.
6. Guerrilla warfare: The North Korean and Chinese forces often employed guerrilla tactics, such as ambushes and hit-and-run attacks, which made it difficult for the U.S. and UN forces to maintain control of the territory they had captured.
7. Lack of intelligence: The U.S. and UN forces often lacked reliable intelligence on the enemy’s movements and intentions, which made it difficult to plan and execute effective operations.
8. Limited resources: The U.S. and UN forces were often stretched thin and lacked the resources needed to wage an effective war. This was particularly true in terms of air support and artillery, which were critical components of modern warfare.
9. Political instability: The Korean War took place during a period of political instability in both the U.S. and UN. In the U.S., President Truman faced significant opposition to the war, while in the UN, there were tensions between the U.S. and its allies over the conduct of the war.
10. Armistice negotiations: The armistice negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea were protracted and difficult, with both sides struggling to reach an agreement on the terms of a ceasefire. The negotiations dragged on for two years before an armistice was finally signed in 1953.

Overall, the Korean War was a complex and challenging conflict, and the U.S. and UN forces faced a number of obstacles in their efforts to contain the spread of communism in Asia. Despite these challenges, the U.S. and UN forces were ultimately able to achieve their objectives of repelling the North Korean invasion and restoring the status quo, albeit at a significant cost in terms of lives lost and resources expended.

The South Korean President could have chosen other examples for his speech, but he chose the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. According to recent comments, it is like pouring salt on the wounds of the US military.