118. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1
1269. 1. I opened 29th meeting today with prepared statement on implementation as follows:
[Here follows Johnson’s prepared statement.]
2. Wang replied that it was in interests of progress our discussions that his side presented new draft last meeting. Was regrettable I had not been able this meeting put forward concrete views U.S. side on that draft. Certainly hoped, as I had stated, would be able put forward latest views on draft at later meeting.
3. Turning to prepared statement Wang continued that in view of fact I had raised number questions regarding his draft at last meeting, he was willing make few amplifications on that draft. As I had specifically raised at last meeting question whether draft covered Taiwan area, he willing again amplify statement in explicit manner. It is specified in new draft that China and U.S. should settle disputes between them peacefully without resort to threat of use of force.
4. Wang said as heart of Sino-American dispute is precisely centered on Taiwan so it goes without saying that new draft covers this question. That I had said describing Taiwan as area where interests and policies China and U.S. clash seriously shows that tension Taiwan area is international matter and not simply domestic matter how to deal with Chiang clique.
5. Wang said in 1946 Chiang Kai-shek launched large-scale civil war and Chinese people forced to resort to war to overthrow Chiang and establish PRC. Notwithstanding fact some people been adopting hostile attitude towards victory Chinese people, nobody could deny fact liberation of mainland and large number coastal islands by PRC has never created international conflict or danger war. Quite to contrary [Page 217] has greatly benefited stability Far East and has contributed to world peace and security.
6. Wang said in line with consistent stand, PRC willing strive for peaceful settlement disputes when circumstances permit. This includes such domestic matters as Chiang clique. However, this being matter of Chinese domestic affairs must not be made subject these talks.
7. Wang said present situation in Taiwan area is that U.S. side has initiated use of force and is threatening use force in interfering with liberation Taiwan and coastal islands. Is this situation which creates danger to peace? I had chosen skip over this fact, however it cannot be evaded.
8. Wang said each day U.S. armed forces remain in Taiwan area is a day of threat to PRC. According to UN Charter, PRC entitled demand U.S. side remove its forces from Taiwan area in order preserve its territorial integrity. In interest of relaxing tensions, China proposed as it did at Bandung Conference that China and U.S. enter into negotiations to ease and eliminate tension Taiwan area.
9. Wang said party which now using force and threat force is none other than U.S. side. However China is not afraid of American force and threats. China not afraid of proposing enter into negotiations precisely because it determined not to yield to American force and threats. I had indicated that U.S. unwilling enter into negotiations under threat Chinese might use force at any time. Fact is contrary. It is Chinese side being threatened and U.S. side which already initiated use force.
10. Wang said nonetheless, China still desires settle disputes including dispute in Taiwan area through peaceful negotiations. Such negotiations aimed at removing force and threat of force which U.S. already applying against China. PRC side has consistently advocated negotiations, however I must not think PRC side thereby recognizing status quo of U.S. seizure Taiwan and interference PRC internal affairs, which is last thing PRC side will ever do.
11. Wang said new draft envisages two steps. Expresses determination to settle disputes through peaceful means without threat or use force. U.S. side has also indicated it would subscribe this principle. PRC side has taken account of view of U.S. side and draft adds Ambassadors should continue these talks to seek practical means for realization this desire.
12. Wang said PRC side considers that relaxation tension in Taiwan area is too serious to be lightly disposed of in Ambassadorial talks. Settlement these questions should be left to conference Foreign Ministers China and U.S. In presenting latest draft PRC side preserved its proposal for conference between Foreign Ministers China and U.S. for purpose eliminating tension Taiwan area. However, if [Page 218] U.S. side desires discuss and settle this question in these talks PRC side will not object to making such attempt.
13. Wang said he must stress that new draft is integral whole. Question tension in Taiwan area must be discussed and settled. Refusal discuss would be tantamount to requiring that PRC recognize status quo in Taiwan area and surrender its sovereign rights, which is what PRC side absolutely cannot do.
14. Wang said new draft has already incorporated common ground in our views. If U.S. really sincere in expressing desire for settlement Sino-American disputes, U.S. side should adopt new draft and then continue discussions between us in order seek settlements.
15. Wang hoped these remarks we had made might help me fully consider questions before us.
[Here follow paragraphs 16–51, consisting of Wang’s prepared statement on implementation and discussion of that subject.]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/12–855. Confidential; Limited Distribution. Transmitted in four sections.↩