Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XVII, China, 1969–1972

166. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff¹

Washington, undated.

Concrete Commitments to the PRC Made During HAK October 1971 Visit

1. We will propose within 10 days a proposed date, within November 20–24 period, for the announcement of the date for the President’s visit.²

2. We will provide Dr. Kissinger’s October 27 briefing transcript to the Chinese as soon as possible.

3. We will consider Taiwan language and if we have a concrete formula will give it to the Chinese, either via General Haig or perhaps just before President’s visit. Also we must decide whether to keep our language about reducing risk of war through accident or miscalculation.

4. HAK will look into the recent demonstration at U.N. headquarters (and allegedly throughout US and other countries) on behalf of the Taiwan Independence Movement, to see who was behind it and if it were premeditated and global. We will let Chinese know the results of the investigation.

5. HAK will confirm with President and let Chinese know what our position would be if another government raises the point that the status of Taiwan is undetermined. HAK said that we would never encourage 2 China or 1 China, 1 Taiwan movement and would attempt to bring about a solution within the framework of 1 China by peaceful means, but he had to check on what tactically we would say if another government raised the Taiwan status issue.

6. HAK will let Chinese know if Kishi³ conversations dealt with U.N./Taiwan question or other relevant issue. HAK said he thought Kishi talks centered on economic issues.

7. We are trying to stop possible Chinese nationalist plane overflight of China designed to complicate US–PRC relations. If it occurs it will be without our permission and against our opposition.

8. HAK will make full review of reconnaissance flights like CINCPAC’s SR–71 plane during HAK visit. Until HAK’s return these were stopped.⁴

9. We will let PRC know whether Mrs. Nixon will go to China.⁵

10. We will let Chinese know the length of visit and number of stops, including whether Hangchow is to be included.

11. HAK will discuss with the President the issue of what plane he uses to travel within China.

12. We will provide technical information on ground station and the equipment which will be in the 747.

13. We will let Chinese know if our current Mideast negotiating effort shows any chance of success.

14. We are studying UNCURK question and will let Chinese know results of our study either through channel or at very latest when President goes to China.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President—China Material, China, HAK’s October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. The only notation is a handwritten “W Lord.” An updated and more detailed paper, “Checklist of Understandings with PRC,” was prepared by Lord on March 16, 1972. It included commitments made during the February 1972 trip to the PRC and listed the date and persons involved, the nature of the agreement, and status. (Ibid., Kissinger Office Files, Box 87, Country Files, Far East, Commitments to the PRC) An updated version of the March report, June 17, 1972, is ibid. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–13, Document 116.
2. See footnote 7, Document 164.
3. Japanese Prime Minister Kishi met with Haig and Nixon on October 22 and discussed textiles, Okinawa, Chinese representation in the UN, the President’s upcoming trip to the PRC and Soviet Union, and other topics. Two memoranda of conversation, October 22, are in National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, President’s Office Files, Box 86, Memoranda for the President.
4. On October 22 Haig informed Kissinger in Beijing (apparently in response to a query from Kissinger) that one SR–71 mission flew over Southeast Asia on October 21, passing as close as 40 nautical miles to the PRC–DRV border and 20 nautical miles from Hainan Island. Haig wrote: “We are holding such flights until further notice. You will not be pleased to learn that this series of flights apparently is not covered or reviewed in any way by 40 Committee. It is a CINCPAC operation.” (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President—China Material, China, HAK’s October 1971 Visit)
5. See footnote 7, Document 164.