893.01/12–2949: Telegram
The Chargé in Bwrma (Day) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29—10:38 a. m.]
566. Following text Foreign Minister People’s Republic to GOB re recognition Communist China was released by GOB yesterday and carried most newspapers this morning.
“I have the honor to acknowledge on behalf of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China the receipt of Your [Page 253] Excellency’s telegram of December 16, 1949, informing me that the Government of the Union of Burma wishes to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
“I have further the honor to state that after Your Excellency’s Government has severed relations with the remnants of the Kuomintang reactionaries my Government will be pleased to establish diplomatic relations with the Government of the Union of Burma on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for territory and sovereignty. It is hoped that your Government will appoint a representative to Peiping to begin negotiations on this matter.”
Reply must be considered rebuff to GOB which in according early recognition risked widespread criticism, presumably in hope improving Burma-China relations.
Newspaper Burman comments reply surprisingly disappointing; fails to see point in severing relations with government no longer existing; considers Chinese Foreign Minister’s reply “unmerited piece of studied cold-shouldering”.
Local press 20th carried Reuter’s Taipei release stating Nationalists severed relations with GOB December 18.