203. Memorandum of Conversation0
PARTICIPANTS
- Ambassador Drumright
- Foreign Minister Huang
SUBJECT
- The Role of the Republic of China in the Free World
Foreign Minister Huang made the following comments with regard to the statement the Secretary left with the Generalissimo at the morning meeting (see MC–10):1
With reference to the views expressed by Secretary Dulles at the meeting held on the morning of October 22, the Chinese Government is aware of the Free World’s longing for peace and the difficulties confronting the Republic of China arising from certain misconceptions by countries which do not have the correct appraisal of the issues at stake and which are inclined to buy peace at any price, especially when the price is at other people’s expense.
As has been pointed out by leaders of the U.S. Government, the often-repeated Chinese Communist declaration, like Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” and The Tanaka Memorial, have made it crystal clear that what they are aiming at is not only the seizure of the offshore islands or even the elimination of Free China, but the wholesale expulsion of the U.S. from the Western Pacific, thereby to secure the domination of Asia. The continued occupation of the Chinese Mainland by the Chinese Communists is indeed a source of aggression to all countries in the region. The Republic of China serves as a strong deterrent against such aggression.
It would be a travesty of justice to consider the maintenance and defense of its legality and territorial integrity by the Republic of China against the aggressive actions of the rebel regime as a source of irritation affecting peace.
As a matter of fact, the Chinese Government has demonstrated its intense desire for peace by exercising almost superhuman self-restraint in the face of Communist provocations. Instead of delivering effective counter-blows to the enemy in return for his savage attacks, we have [Page 429] gone out of our way to declare that the offshore islands would not be used as a springboard to assault the mainland. In order to show our genuine desire for peace and our deference to free-world public opinion, it may be pointed out that it has always been the Chinese Communists who have provoked tension and hostilities in the Taiwan Strait. We are even prepared not to oppose a de facto cease fire as long as the Communists would not disturb the peace. No self-respecting government can do more than this without forfeiting its birthright.
The suggestion advanced by Secretary Dulles appears to be of such a nature as almost to shake the foundation of the Republic of China. It is tantamount to a voluntary announcement by this Government of its acceptance of the “Two China” idea. This would at once alienate the support of all Chinese, especially those on the mainland who hope for eventual deliverance from Communist tyranny. The faith and hope of these Chinese people must be kept alive and nurtured at all costs. The Republic of China would not be worthy of its existence were it to lose the confidence and loyalty of the freedom-loving Chinese people. We naturally attach great importance to the sympathy and support of the free-world nations, which are essential for the maintenance of our international position. In the last analysis, however, the raison d’etre and the future of the Republic of China lie in the millions of Chinese people who look upon it as the rallying point of their efforts in restoring freedom and democracy to China. Any indication by this Government which suggests its contentment with its present status of exile and its willingness to see such a state of affairs perpetuated could only be construed as the abandonment of its ultimate objective on which the Free Chinese have been pinning their hopes. This would be suicidal. We value our international position and we are conscious of the precariousness of our diplomatic front. Nevertheless, we are confronted with the choice between the loss of support of our own people and the loss of support of some foreign governments. We would not hesitate to accept the consequences of the latter situation, however painful it may be. The Chinese Government appreciates Secretary Dulles’ suggestion that we should redouble our efforts on education, art and other aspects of Chinese culture. This we have been doing and shall continue to do. Our primary concern, however, must be the preservation and strengthening of the foundation of this Government.
The above is the initial reaction to Secretary Dulles’ latest proposal which will be examined on the basis of these fundamental principles.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 1136. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Drumright.↩
- Reference should be to REAT MC–10a, Document 200.↩