Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXX, China

116. Telegram From the White House Situation Room to President Johnson in Texas¹

Washington, January 2, 1966, 1745Z.

CAP 66018. For the President from the Vice President. Report on conversation with President Chiang Kai-shek² and Foreign Minister Yi Tong-won of Republic of China; Prime Minister Chung Il-kwon and President Park of Korea.

1. The meeting with Chiang Kai-shek went about as predicted, in that he stressed the need for the United States to recognize that the real enemy in Southeast Asia was not the Viet Cong or North Vietnam, but was Communist China. He stressed as he has before that we could not expect to match Communist manpower in Asia, and that it would be a mistake to think that sophisticated weapons could replace manpower, the objective should be to utilize Asian manpower with American logistics support. He again stressed that the Soviet Union would not intervene in a situation in which a civil war would be created by a Chinese “return to the mainland,” on the grounds that the USSR commitment was in the event of a U.S. attack. He would not go into detail as to the plans for returning to the mainland, or for further cooperation with the United States in combatting Communism in Asia, but said that if we can come to a consensus on the question of who is the real enemy, we can work out such details.

Rather surprisingly Chiang commented that your peace offensive was a wise and effective effort. He also commented that the Russian moves were especially significant, and should be watched very closely.

As all Asian leaders have stated, there has been a measure of concern about the U.S. intentions in South Vietnam stirred by the peace program. But I reassured him strongly that we had no intention of seeking a peace that left our friends unprotected. I parried his question as to what you would do if the peace effort failed, by saying only that this was a matter for the highest policy level, and would of course be up to you to decide. But we would undoubtedly take all measures necessary to defeat the aggression.

Chiang looks rather old, but very healthy, with ruddy complexion and obviously in full command of himself. There are no signs of senility that I could detect. He, of course, asked particularly after your health and asked me to extend to you his best wishes. The conversation was extremely friendly and cordial, and there was no effort to press for decisions, nor any hint of chagrin that he has not been consulted lately. I gave him your warm personal greetings, as I did to the Chinese people both on arrival and departure at the airport.

[Here follows a report of the Vice President’s conversations in Korea.]

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, International File, Vice President Trip, Far East, 12/27/65. Top Secret; Exdis. A handwritten “L” on the source text indicates that the President saw it.
2. Vice President Humphrey met with Chiang Kai-shek on January 1. A record of the meeting by Special Assistant to the President Jack Valenti is ibid., President’s Office File, Valenti, Jack, Memoranda of Conversations, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, December 1965–January 1966. Another, sent in telegram 722 from Taipei, January 3, is ibid., National Security File, Country File, China, Vol. V. A January 5 memorandum from Humphrey to Johnson pertaining to his visit to Taipei is ibid., NSC Files, NSC Meetings, Vol. 3, Tab 37.