Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XVIII, China, 1973–1976

72. Telegram From the Liaison Office in China to the Department of State¹

Beijing, February 19, 1974, 0345Z.

284. Subject:PRC Cancellation of DepSec’s Visit. Ref: State 032525.²

1. USLO was most disappointed to learn that we will not have opportunity to meet with Deputy Secretary in Peking, but Chinese decision that present time “not convenient” came as no surprise. Since planning for visit first began in December the ideological campaign to criticize Lin Piao and Confucius has moved into a new stage involving mass participation on a scale unseen since the Cultural Revolution. Although the campaign thus far has remained under firm control, the debates over central versus regional control, party versus military and the course of China’s educational and cultural development have produced internal tensions which would make high visibility visit by a senior American official difficult at this time. We continue to feel that Chou remains in control of the situation, but a slightly lower profile on his part may be considered prudent for the time being.

2. While the ideological debate has thus far not significantly affected foreign policy, current ultra-nationalist themes in field of culture and attacks on Western influences have already delayed decisions on cultural exchanges with U.S. and other countries and produced much greater caution on part of decision makers. Criticism of Western music and Antonioni film are probably more relevant to internal political struggles than foreign policy, but Chou and MFA probably see Deputy Secretary’s visit as a complicating factor best avoided in China’s present atmosphere.

3. While we feel the above mentioned domestic political concerns are overriding factors in PRC decision on Deputy Secretary’s visit, we would also not exclude possibility that there may be growing impatience in Peking over pace of development of Sino-U.S. relations. Signals such as appointment of new U.S. Ambassador to Taiwan and indication that we foresee no qualitative change in our relationship with ROC in the near future probably make it more difficult for the architects of the policy of Washington–Peking détente to advocate a high level visit in the absence of likelihood there will emerge concrete evidence of further progress.

4. Nevertheless, Han Hsu’s statement that PRC would “welcome” visit by Deputy Secretary “at appropriate time” is encouraging sign that fundamentals of PRC policy toward U.S. have not changed. Needless to say, we second Han Hsu’s welcome for a visit at the earliest feasible time.

Jenkins

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Priority; Exdis.
2. In telegram 32525 to Beijing, February 18, the Department reported that Han Xu had told Hummel that the dates for Rush’s visit were not convenient, but the Chinese would welcome a future visit by Rush at an appropriate time. (Ibid.)