396.1 GE/4–3054: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Department of State
Secto 45. Repeated information Moscow 28. Reference joint State–USIA message Tosec 31 of April 28.1 To date there has been no development in Geneva of which this delegation is aware which would tend to indicate anything but complete Communist bloc unity. Chou, Nam and Molotov speeches all emphasize this factor. Today there was atmosphere of particular cordiality and almost triumphant unity among Communist delegates in lounges after Molotov’s speech. While this delegation has no information on mechanics joint Sino–Soviet policy determination at Geneva, there has been nothing to date indicating any differences of opinion between Soviet Union and Communist China. Both delegations endeavoring create impression that Communist China is great power which will insist on making up her own mind on policy. It is in this context that Hsiung Hsiang-hiu’s [Huang Hua’s] remark (reference telegram) should be interpreted.
Delegation feels utmost caution should be taken in any statements attributed to official US source to avoid implication there are major Sino–Soviet differences at Geneva. Allegations of Chinese independence of policy can only contribute to Asian wishful thinking that Communist China is somehow more Asian than Communist and can therefore be dealt with in more reasonable way than Soviet Union. Rather particularly in Asia we must encourage more realistic view that governments of Communist China and Soviet Union have important political and strategic reasons for working out joint policy within framework sort of senior–junior–partnership.
- Telegram Tosec 31, Apr. 28, to Geneva, contained the following United Press report datelined Geneva, Apr. 27: “Communist Chinese delegates to far eastern conference said today they are running their own show here—they are not tied to Moscow’s apron strings. Hsiung Hsiang-hui [Huang Hua], who has acted as spokesman for Red Chinese, was asked whether the Red Chinese delegation was consulting or would have to consult with Russia on a cease–fire in Indochina. Hsiung looked hurt. ‘We do not have to consult with Soviet government on matters of policy’ he said.” (Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 248)↩