Word: matsu
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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This new policy left military bases surrounding China on South Korea, Japan, Quemoy-Matsu, and Taiwan. American theoreticians led by John Foster Dulles (and lauded by Congressman Richard Nixon) calculated that the spread of communism had to be stopped from reaching South East Asia, gold mine for new international markets and cheap labor. Without hesitation, America stepped up its support of the French war in Indo-China and took over the load in 1954. Later in the 60's, Secretary of State Dean Rusk staunchly supported this dual policy of containment of China and "protection of American interests...
...over Taiwan, Dr. Paul Lin of McGill University, Canadian citizen who lived in China from 1949-64 and spent five months there in 1970 notes that America is still building up B-52 bases on Taiwan. In addition Dr. Lin stresses that the recent Japanese-American agreement returning Quemoy-Matsu to the Japanese escalates China's encirclement. The agreement returns Quemoy-Matsu to the Japanese fully armed with American arms and personnel. On the other hand, Nixon might well have calculated the treaty as a bone thrown to the Japanese so they won't complain when America control of Taiwan...
...sort of faith in their devotion to the wisdom of Chairman Mao, but on Taiwan the island people still cling to their ancient folk religion, a heady mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian beliefs and practices. None of the old gods and goddesses is more popular than the gentle Matsu, patroness of fishermen and seafarers. According to legend, Matsu was a devout 9th century girl who acquired divine powers at her early death. Pioneer Chinese settlers credited her with protecting them on their trip across the Taiwan Strait 350 years...
Last week thousands of islanders streamed into the sleepy seaport town of Peikiang for the goddess's annual birthday celebration. While there are 383 Matsu temples on the island, Pei-kiang's is the oldest, and thus the most revered. Carrying their Matsu idols in little sedan chairs, the pilgrims jammed Peikiang's streets, exploding firecrackers and enjoying such sights as a parade of elegant floats, like the one at right, portraying ancient Chinese legends...
Other Cold War Resolutions make similar grants of authority. The Formosa Resolution of 1955, for example, still gives the President the legal right to go to war with Communist China in defense of Quemoy and Matsu. Progressive though they are, the repeals advocated by Mathias demonstrate the negative character of Congressional participation in foreign affairs...