Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VIII, Public Diplomacy, 1969–1972

161. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Scali) to President Nixon¹

Washington, January 17, 1972

SUBJECT

• Chinese Table Tennis Visit

I am pleased to report that plans are now well advanced for the Springtime visit for the Chinese Table Tennis Team.

In answer to Premier Chou En Lai’s announcement, Graham Steenhoven, president of the American Table Tennis Association, is about to cable Peking suggesting that:

1. The Chinese Table Tennis Team, accompanied by appropriate Chinese officials, visit the United States sometime between April 15 and May 15 for a two-week visit. Chinese journalists would be invited to accompany the group.

2. A proposed itinerary includes visits to these seven cities: Los Angeles, Detroit, Washington, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco and Honolulu. Table Tennis matches would be scheduled in Los Angeles, Detroit and Atlanta.

3. The Washington stop leaves open the possibility of a meeting with the President (although nothing is said to the Chinese about this), but makes no arrangements for visits with Congressional leaders, political figures and/or government leaders.

4. The visit is being consponsored by the National Committee on United States-China Relations, Inc., which is arranging receptions, dinners, transportation and other details. President Carl F. Stover, who is in frequent contact with me, is personally handling this, and is keeping close tabs on Steenhoven to make sure that all plans are carefully coordinated.

5. The National Committee on United States-China Relations, Inc. has already raised $60,000 to meet the cost of the tour. It anticipates that another $140,000 will be forthcoming from additional pledges. Pan Am has offered a jet charter for all travel. The list of patrons includes some of the most prominent corporations in the United States. Plans are afoot to add contributions from labor and religious organizations.

6. I am personally overseeing all arrangements, hoping to anticipate any problems, including those of security. In keeping with your instructions, the visit will be dignified, yet friendly, with time for some sightseeing and some contact with average Americans. I have suggested that a side trip to Williamsburg be added to the Washington stay, and that the San Francisco visit include a possible visit to the Stanford University campus.

Further, I have suggested that Steenhoven indicate in his cable that it would be desirable that the Chinese team visit the United States in advance of a proposed similar tour of Canada, which tentatively has been set for sometime in April. I will continue to keep you abreast of all developments.

Attached is a list of patrons who have signed up to help us sponsor the visit.²

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member and Office Files, John A. Scali, Subject Files, Box 3, Chinese Table Tennis Team April 21, 1971 [4 of 4]. No classification marking. Printed from an unsigned and uninitialed copy.
2. Not attached.