Cao Changqing is a freelance writer based in New York. Born and raised in China, he draws on his experience as an immigrant adapting to a new culture and language to share thoughtful reflections on politics and society, seen through the eyes of someone raised under a communist regime. Below is his personal story of discovery and insight as he came to understand America.
It was the summer of 1988 when I arrived in the United States, unable to speak a single word of English. That moment marked the beginning of a profound journey — a journey to understand a new land, a new culture, and ultimately, a new identity.
The Midwestern university that admitted me enrolled me in its English language program. My ESL classmates came from many different countries, but none were quite like me — I had to rely on singing the alphabet just to look up words in the dictionary.
Despite this, my classmates from Hong Kong and Taiwan respected me. Not only was I older than most of them, but they knew I had been a journalist back in China. To them, that meant I was worldly and experienced. In fact, they sometimes asked me about American issues — as if I were some kind of “expert.”
That year, the United States was in the midst of a presidential election. President Ronald Reagan, having completed two terms over eight years, was stepping down, and his vice president, George H. W. Bush, was running for office against Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis.
Seeing through new eyes
As my English improved and I began to truly understand American politics, I came to realize that the reason the American people elected George H. W. Bush was largely because of their deep admiration for Ronald Reagan.
The U.S. Constitution limits a president to two terms, so Reagan had to step down. But the love people felt for him was transferred to his successor, Bush, who had stood by his side for eight years as the vice president. Many believed Bush would carry on Reagan’s legacy — so they sent him to the White House.
As I gradually came to understand the values of conservatism, I became more and more interested in Reagan. I found biographies, commentaries, collections of his humor, and recordings of his speeches. The more I learned, the more I saw how uniquely charismatic he was. His ideals, his temperament, his optimism, his wit, his blend of strength and gentleness — these were rare qualities among political leaders.
To me, Reagan was the living embodiment of the “American spirit, American ideals, American values, American optimism, American confidence, and the American dream.”
Ronald Reagan passed away in 2004. Although the mourning ceremonies — culminating in his state funeral — lasted only a week, the values he stood for have had a lasting impact. His commitment to limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and a strong moral foundation reflects the ideals found in both classical conservatism and classical liberalism. These principles helped shape the United States for decades and continue to inspire those around the world who cherish freedom, value the individual, and hold fast to their faith.
Today, Reagan is widely regarded by American commentators as one of the greatest U.S. presidents of the 20th century, standing shoulder to shoulder with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Lee Edwards, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation and author of the first political biography of Reagan, wrote that “if the first half of the 20th century is considered the Roosevelt era, then the second half will be known as the Reagan era.” Another Heritage scholar, Michael Ledeen, who specializes in freedom issues, went even further: “In the 200 years since the founding of the United States, four presidents have fundamentally changed the world — Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan.”
Why has Reagan been rated so highly? What qualities allowed him to win the hearts of historians, commentators, and the American public? I believe there are at least four key factors worth examining.
The wisdom that shaped Reagan’s leadership
Reagan’s wisdom was not merely intellectual, but also deeply moral and practical — reflected in his clear-sighted judgment, his ability to learn from experience, and his unwavering adherence to principle on the most pressing issues of his time. As I see it, this wisdom revealed itself most clearly in three key areas.
First and foremost was his clear recognition of the evil of communism. Even in his early years as an actor within the left-leaning stronghold of Hollywood, Reagan harbored a deep and unwavering opposition to communist ideology. He testified before Congress during that time, emphasizing the importance of identifying and resisting communist influence in the film industry and beyond.
As president, Reagan became the leading voice of the Western world in its stand against the Soviet communist bloc. He possessed unwavering faith in the power and value of freedom and clearly saw through the hollow promises at the core of communist ideology.
As early as 1981, speaking at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, he declared communism “a sad, bizarre chapter in human history” and proclaimed that “its final pages are being written.” He firmly believed that freedom would eventually “sweep Marxist socialism and Soviet communism into the dustbin of history.”
For this, Reagan was labeled the “anti-communist president,” a “hawk,” a “hardliner.” Even after his death, Mikhail Gorbachev — the last General Secretary of the Soviet Union — wrote a eulogy in The New York Times, still referring to him as “a staunch right-winger.” Yet such labels only affirm the depth of Reagan’s insight into the evils of communism and his courage in confronting them.
A transformation rooted in principle, not politics
The second expression of his wisdom was his ideological transformation. Though he had been a Democrat in his younger years, he eventually awakened to the limitations of liberal ideology and became a committed Republican and a steadfast champion of conservative values.
Since the mid-20th century, the two major U.S. political parties have not merely competed for power — they have clashed over fundamental values. The Republican Party has stood for limited government, free-market economics, a strong national defense, religious faith, family values, personal responsibility, and steadfast opposition to communism.
In contrast, the Democratic Party has increasingly embraced positions aligned with leftist ideology — favoring government intervention and wealth redistribution in pursuit of equality. While not overtly communist, many of these policies bear ideological similarities to socialism, which historically serves as a stepping stone toward communism.
Even the Chinese Communist Party refers to its system as ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ viewing socialism as the necessary precursor to achieving full communism. For those who value liberty and individual rights, this overlap should raise serious concerns.
In many ways, the ideological goals of the Western Left mirror the Communist Party. Both often show deep skepticism toward capitalism, favor increased government control, and willingly sacrifice individual liberty for the sake of so-called equality. For this reason, anyone who truly cherishes liberty will, sooner or later, distance themselves from the Left.
Once Reagan joined the Republican Party, he never looked back. He became a resolute champion of liberty and freedom, firmly advocating the economic principles of thinkers like Adam Smith and Friedrich Hayek.
For many young people today, shaped by a digital age of shifting narratives and institutional distrust, it’s easy to overlook how deeply morality and freedom are intertwined. But history — and Reagan’s legacy — reminds us that without a foundation of truth, faith, and individual responsibility, no society can stand for long.
In the 1980s, alongside British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Reagan launched a sweeping economic revolution rooted in free-market ideals — lowering taxes, reducing government regulation, and promoting private enterprise. This movement not only laid the groundwork for America’s modern prosperity but also triggered a rightward shift across Europe — steering nations away from welfare socialism and toward market-driven economies.
A presidency grounded in faith and moral conviction
The third — and perhaps most profound — expression of Reagan’s wisdom lay in his unwavering faith. He was a lifelong believer in Jesus Christ, and his convictions shaped not only his personal character but also his vision for America.
The Bible says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It was Reagan’s deep Christian faith and steadfast prayer life that gave him his unique insight, humility, and nobility. When President George W. Bush received news of Reagan’s death in Paris, he gave a brief eulogy saying: “His nobility came from humility, and his humor from wisdom.”
All 43 of America’s presidents to date have professed belief in God. Much of what made the United States so free, prosperous, and resilient can be traced to its foundation in moral principles rooted in Christian culture. Among these leaders, Reagan stands out as one of the most devout believers.
It was this faith that gave him his sense of mission. His optimism, his energy, his unwavering principles, his strong moral compass — all were rooted in prayer and his unshakable belief in Jesus Christ.
Just 69 days after taking office, Reagan survived an assassination attempt — a moment that would deepen his sense of mission. Reagan firmly believed that God had spared him for a greater purpose. Both Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa also told him that God had a mission for him — to defeat the Soviet communist empire and bring the Cold War to an end.
From this perspective, Reagan can be seen as a gift from God — not only to the American people, but to all those around the world who yearn for freedom and moral clarity.
(To be continued)
Originally published in “Observations.”
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