311. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon1
SUBJECT
- Next Steps in Our China Policy
The adverse voting trend in the UN General Assembly on the Chinese representation issue and the likelihood that in the months ahead several more countries will follow the lead of Canada and Italy in recognizing Peking require that we take a thorough look at our China policy to see where we go from here. There is also always the possibility that Peking may on short notice propose a resumption of the Warsaw talks.
I plan to meet with Foreign Minister Wei Tao-ming in early December, before his return to Taipei, to urge that he impress upon President Chiang the seriousness of the situation confronting his government in the UN and in its bilateral relations and the need for the GRC to consider carefully how best to meet it.
Meanwhile, I have asked my staff to initiate a thorough study and review of the situation and possibilities open to us and will make recommendations to you as soon as possible.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret; Exdis. Drafted November 17 by U. Alexis Johnson and Shoesmith and cleared by Winthrop G. Brown, De Palma, Ronald I. Spiers, and William I. Cargo. An attached memorandum from Rogers to Assistant Secretaries Green and De Palma, and to the Directors of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs and the Policy Planning Staff, dated November 18, authorized the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs to coordinate the policy review. Another attached memorandum from Deputy Assistant Secretary Winthrop G. Brown to Rogers, dated November 17, recommended the initiation of a Departmental review of U.S. China policy.↩