125. Telegram 589 from Geneva1
589. From Johnson.
Additional minor sidelights on dinner with Wang last night:
Particularly inquired about Bedell Smith’s health and later made point of saying “better relations began” when Smith spoke to Chou in buffet at last year’s Geneva Conference expressing hope relations might improve.
Gave usual line on civil war events but with noticeable restraint in treatment Kuomintang and Chiang Kai-shek.
Were thankful and appreciative American aid to China during World War II even though none received by Communists as it constituted contribution national strength in fight against Japan.
In reply my raising Communist bloc characteristics of super-secrecy and hypersensitivity to criticism as major barriers to fruitful interchange persons and ideas which he had been urging, he did not contest but implied improvement this regard under way. He was very quick reject any implication Chinese Communists identification with satellites when I cited personal experience in Czechoslovakia.
Rejected my suggestion China lacked natural resources, only problem was extraction.
Noted full texts Secretary’s and President’s statements and speeches on Far East published in Chinese Communist press.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–2355. Secret; Very Limited Distribution.↩