走向承认:英国承认新中国之决策背景分析

从1948年底决定"在中国门内留一只脚",到1949年底决定予新中国以法律承认,历时整整一年。其间英国政府的决策取向经历了从力图与中国共产党政权建立事实联系到走向事实承认再到法律承认的递进过程。而推动英国政府决策递进的主要因素是中国内战局势的发展所引起的英国国内舆情的变化。英国外交部在对新中国承认的决策过程中起了决定性的作用,而驻华外交官、在华商团及其在伦敦的代理人则是推动承认的急先锋。除殖民事务部外,英国政府其他各主要部门都不同程度地支持承认新政权。另外,英国公众舆论、议会下院,甚至是当时在野的保守党领袖丘吉尔等都在其中起了一定的作用,说明英国对新中国的承认政策经过了充分的酝酿并有着广泛的民意基础。在形势推动下不断调整对新中国外交决策也体现了英国现实主义外交的基本属性。

Road to Recognition:Policy-making of UK's Recognition of PRC

It took a whole year from the decision to 'keep a foot in the door' in China to the decision to accord ad jure recognition of P.R. China. During this period, the thinking of British Government's policy-making evolved from attempting to establish factual relations to according de facto recognition then to de jure recognition. The essential impetus affecting the policy-making was the challenge of Chinese revolutionary situation. Foreign Office played a decisive role in the decision to recognize Chinese Communist regime. Those diplomatic officers and merchants in China as well as their representatives in London were the most important agitators and supporters of recognition. Except Colony Office, other main Ministries, to various degrees, approved recognition. In addition, The Press, the House of Commons, and even Winston Churchill, the most famous leader of both anti-Communism and the Opponent, were in favor of recognition. All the above illustrate the decision to accord to recognition went through deep consideration and were of public opinion's favor. Having kept adjusting themselves to the changing situation also reflects the essence of realistic diplomacy of the British government.