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

91. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State¹

Warsaw, June 30, 1965, 1900Z.

2614. Cabot-Wang talks. Deptel 2224.² 126th meeting.³ Content of meeting relatively routine except for occasional outbursts of tough and intemperate language from Wang. Next meeting is scheduled for September 15. Wang opened with condemnation U.S. “occupation” Taiwan. He claimed U.S. using Taiwan as “ever-floating aircraft carrier” from which to attack mainland, that U.S. plotting create two Chinas, that U.S. crimes of aggression against Taiwan beyond description. He said Taiwan inalienable part of Chinese territory. Chinese people will strive to end to liberate Taiwan. Claimed U.S., while expanding war in Indo-China, also intensifying efforts make military provocations against China in Taiwan Straits area and that U.S. trying draft Chiang gang into war by ordering them place airfields at U.S. disposal etc. Cited serious warnings 378 to 387.

Wang said he instructed lodge strong protest April 24 presidential executive order which included Paracel Islands in combat waters. Wang said Paracels are Chinese. U.S. Govt must be held responsible for all grave consequences arising therefrom.

Second part Wang’s opener devoted to U.S. actions Viet-nam. Wang stated U.S. openly declaring war on Vietnamese people and embarking on fighting major war. He repeated standard line on 17th parallel and that all Vietnamese people including those in North have right hit back at U.S. aggressors. Since U.S. has sent own and lackey’s troops Chinese have secure right to do all in their power to hit back at U.S. aggressors. U.S. attempting cover up crimes by playing peace hoax. All peace talks doomed to failure. U.S. should never be able to get by political deception what U.S. cannot get on battlefield.

I responded by strongly refuting Wang’s argument on U.S. aggression against Taiwan. Also denied ChiCom claim to Paracel Islands. Followed with text Department’s instruction. Wang retorted with at times intemperate but familiar attack on U.S. position claiming U.S. on one hand pursuing war and on other giving lip service to peace. He said empty words alone cannot alter atmosphere between our two countries. Wang claimed U.S. instead of ending aggressive acts was redoubling aggression. Claimed every time U.S. said prayer for peace we add fagot to fire of aggression.

Wang said U.S. suffering one defeat after another in war of aggression, hence desire to talk about peaceful settlement. Peace talk plot a vicious one but it impossible pull wool over eyes of people of world. Wang gave standard ChiCom position on Indian proposal, 17-nation appeal, and Wilson mission (but for once in more temperate language). Repeated line only way settle Viet-nam problem is for U.S. Govt to stop war of aggression against South Viet-nam, withdraw all U.S. lackey forces from South Viet-nam, stop acts of war against DRV, implement Geneva Agreements of 1954 and let Vietnamese people settle own affairs. Claimed Front, as true representative South Vietnamese people, must have decisive voice. Referring to Front’s March 22 statement as only way settle problem.

Wang then became impassioned and, after saying U.S. hands stained with blood South Vietnamese people, he departed from text and referred to our comments that Chinese youth should be steeled in war. Wang said “We should deal with your unjust war with a just war. You are not only committing aggression against Viet-nam but are also posing threat to China every day.” He then quickly shifted subject to repetition U.S. aggression against Taiwan. Wang said as long as U.S. refuses to give up policy of aggression we will continue have struggle. If this root cause not removed, no way to settle problem. If U.S. has sincere desire for peace, U.S. must immediately withdraw forces and stop aggression. Otherwise, all other talks of peace are useless and nothing but a swindle.

I told Wang his side had rejected numerous efforts towards peaceful discussions but had offered no suggestions in return. Wang made weak retort that Hanoi’s four points and Front’s March 22 position constituted only basis for settlement.

Wang then discussed standard line on atomic explosion. Accused U.S. of crime in using atomic bombs against Japan. Wang repeated at length ChiCom claim to Paracels; gave standard line on Cambodia and Laos conferences (smoke screen to fool peoples of world). Wang also recited usual line on U.S. interference in Dominican Republic, Congo, and referred to comments in U.S. press (including Senators Morse and Gruening) critical of U.S. actions.

Wang toward end of meeting stated, “Should you impose war on Chinese people we will fight back. We are not warlike. This is shameless slander. If others wish to impose war on Chinese people we are not afraid to fight a war. We shall resolutely strike back to end. Should anyone dare to extend his tentacles to China we will cut them off.” At another point Wang said, “we will not watch U.S. riding roughshod in world, particularly in neighboring countries, without doing anything on our part.”

Meeting lasted 2 hours 35 minutes.

Cabot

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-US. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Hong Kong, Taipei, Geneva, Moscow, and Stockholm.
2. Telegram 2224 to Warsaw, June 24, modified by telegrams 2245 of June 28 and 2261 of June 29, provided guidance for the meeting. (All ibid.)
3. Cabot commented on the meeting in telegram 6 from Warsaw, July 1 (ibid.), and sent a detailed report in airgram A–16, July 5. (Ibid., POL CHINAT-US)