893.6359/11–2047: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State

2265. To Gullion from Keiser for Wells AEC for transmittal to Wilson.

Reference Embassy’s telegram 2230, November 12, 4 p.m.:19 Dr. Wong November 19 personally approved draft agreement on which he requests commission’s views prior submitting draft to Generalissimo for latter’s approval. Following is full text draft agreement:

  • “1. The Chinese Government, through the chairman of the National Resources Commission as its designated representative, has discussed [Page 1026] with a representative of the United States Atomic Energy Commission of the United States Government joint effort in the exploration of China for uranium, thorium, and other minerals of importance in the atomic energy programs of the two Governments.
  • “2. On the basis of the aforesaid discussions, the Chinese Government with the desire further to foster Sino-American cooperation for mutual benefit, hereby proposes that joint exploration of China for the said minerals be undertaken promptly.
  • “3. In the development of arrangements for said exploration, the Chinese Government will establish a special survey party. The party will work under the direction of the National Resources Commission in cooperation with other appropriate Chinese Government organizations, such as the National Geological Survey. The director of the party will be appointed by the National Resources Commission. One or two Chinese experts who will take part in the work of the party will be sent by the Chinese Government to the United States to confer with officials of the United States Atomic Energy Commission for the purpose of planning the joint exploration in China.
  • “4. To effect the said joint exploration, the United States Government will designate a small number of American geologists or other experts under the guidance of a leader to collaborate with the special survey party; he will be considered member of the party. It is understood that there will be approximately an equal number of Chinese and American members in the party. Complete arrangements for the exploration will be developed by the director of the party in consultation with the leader of the American members.
  • “5. The Chinese Government agrees to assume the complete expenses of the Chinese members of the party, including salaries, transportation, housing and subsistence. All other expenses of the field exploration, it is understood, will be assumed by the United States Government.
  • “6. The United States Government agrees to furnish to the Chinese Government complete reports of the field explorations made, including analyses of samples and estimates of reserves. It will also furnish on a loan basis for the period of the joint exploration portable field counters for the use of the Chinese members of the party. Instruction manuals and literature pertaining to the construction and application of said field counters will be provided by the United States Government and also detailed information as to methods, materials and equipment required for accurate chemical, mineralogical, and radiometric determinations of the uranium, thorium and other valuable metal content of the samples collected during the field exploration. The American leader will demonstrate to the Chinese members the application of the field counters. The United States Government also agrees to assist the Chinese Government in arranging for the export to China of any materials and equipment that the Chinese Government may desire to purchase or obtain by other means in the United States for establishment of laboratory facilities in China to implement the exploration proposed.
  • “7. The Chinese Government agrees to furnish to the United States Government complete information relative to the known occurrences of uranium and thorium in China and also complete reports of the field explorations made including analyses of samples and estimates [Page 1027] of reserves. The Chinese Government will permit the export to the United States of adequate samples for laboratory analyses and also of other adequate samples for metallurgical tests if in the opinion of the director of the party in consultation with the American leader such tests are advisable.
  • “8. It is agreed that the cooperative work outlined above will have a term of 2 years counted from the day of arrival of American members of the party in China, after which further cooperation, if deemed desirable, will be thoroughly considered.
  • “9. The Chinese Government expresses the wish to have American assistance in the establishment of an adequately equipped research laboratory on atomic energy in China for the benefit of scientific research and peaceful utilization of such energy. In this connection the United States Government agrees to accept a few Chinese physicists on a non-expense basis to participate in atomic research in the United States laboratories to be designated by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The Chinese physicists will be selected by the National Resources Commission in consultation with the Academia Sinica. It is expected that in due course the United States Government will give consideration to assisting the Chinese Government in the establishment of a research laboratory on atomic energy in China.
  • “10. The Chinese Government further agrees that during the term of the field exploration referred to above it will have no intention of entering into technical cooperation with any other foreign country for the purpose of exploring in China for uranium, thorium and other minerals of importance in the atomic energy programs of the two Governments.” End draft.

Above draft represents best terms obtainable from Wong. Believe fulfillment of provisions possible with minimum disclosure classified information. Phase 2 of mission would now appear accomplished and plans will be made to depart Nanking about week hence unless instructions received to contrary. End Keiser message.

Embassy comment. Expeditious action by AEC on foregoing draft urgently recommended. Wong since return from Taiwan has given negotiations highest priority and is anxious have AEC comments so he can present draft to Generalissimo soonest. With AEC approval of draft, Wong expressed opinion Generalissimo would also approve. Under circumstances and providing AEC takes expeditious action, Embassy believes highly desirable Keiser remain Nanking until draft approved by AEC and Generalissimo.

It occurs to Embassy that Department and AEC will wish to give consideration to whether formal agreement on this question will have to be registered with UN. In such case would Department and AEC consider carrying on work on basis verbal understanding inasmuch as Chinese appear willing to cooperate fully? Department’s instructions requested immediately.

Stuart
  1. Not printed.