893.01/12–2849: Telegram
The Ambassador in Sweden (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:33 p. m.]
1298. Re Embtel 1164, November 22, 1 p. m.13 Chinese Ambassador Wei-lin Hsieh told us today that on December 22 Foreign Minister Unden sent for him to say that Swedish Government had decided in principle to recognize Peiping Communist regime within a few days after British. Unden said British had informed him they would extend recognition early in January. From other remarks made by Unden, Chinese Ambassador infers British recognition will take place not later than January 9 (possibly on January 6) and that Norway and Denmark would take action similar to that of Sweden.
Hsieh said Unden was most cordial personally and said that he might remain in Sweden as long as he desired. Since his conversation FonOff has in fact extended his Swedish residence visa to May 30, 1953. Hsieh is undecided as to whether he will live in Sweden or France and requests a diplomatic 3(2) visa to visit the US for a brief period while he is making up his mind. Visa will be granted unless instructed by telegraph to contrary. I might add that there is no question in my mind of Hsieh’s anti-Communist views.
He tells us that to date he has sensed no pro-Communist views amongst the members of his staff although four Chinese students now in Sweden are, he suspects, preparing to declare their adherence to the Peiping regime.
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