893.00/9–449: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Jones) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5—4:38 a. m.]
2000. We like Moscow’s thoughtful comments31 on dual China policy of “dignified aloofness” and “diplomatic recognition” and do not find them unnecessarily contradictory. On question of basic policy Embtel 1994 of September 332 concurs. On question of recognition we agree little to be gained by refusal to recognize new Communist regime on purely political grounds. Policy of reserve on question of recognition which we have consistently recommended has been more one of tactics than policy. We continue to feel that new Communist government should be given ample time to make first approach to US and other established governments to obtain formal recognition. This is more than question of protocol; it is part essential education of Chinese Communists who in their present arrogant, confident mood are themselves naming conditions on which they will extend recognition to old and established governments of world. Out of modern Chinese history involving foreign concession areas and imposed foreign legations, there has grown false conception that establishment of diplomatic relations with China is entirely for benefit of foreign state. There is also present in CCP thinking “middle kingdom” [Page 72] tradition which reinforces their assurance of indispensability to rest of world.
We feel that our relations and those of our allies with China will be on much sounder basis if Chinese Communists show by their approach that they have finally recognized importance to China of formal relations abroad. Problem is to keep some of our allies from appearing too eager to recognize new government, but with almost normal complement of chiefs of mission in Nanking, bored with inactivity and anxious to regularize their own status, this will be difficult of achievement. Withdrawal of chiefs of mission would, of course, ease this problem but most of them appear to have wide latitude in their government’s instructions and are disinclined to move ahead of French and/or British.
In any event US tactics should be to await Communist approach. There is ample opportunity for them to make contact with our Consuls in Peiping, Tientsin, Shanghai or with Embassy officers Nanking. If such approach is made, I assume we would not refuse to talk but would, on contrary, welcome opportunity to report new government’s views and obtain authority to continue discussions informally. Whether formal recognition would result could be ascertained only through medium of such discussions at which time US conditions for recognition would be advanced. Certainly at present it is difficult to see any basis for establishment of normal diplomatic relations between US and Communist China. However, that should be left to developing events and not prejudiced in advance by negative policy decision.
Sent Department; repeated Moscow 63.
- See telegram No. 2155, August 26, 6 p. m., p. 66.↩
- Vol. viii, “Political and military situation in China”, chapter VI.↩