Documents on China, 1969–1972


121. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, April 16, 1972, 3-3:35 p.m.

NSC staff member Rodman described his meeting with Shih Yen-hua as cordial and limited to polite small talk including discussion of pandas, pollution in the Great Lakes, and the cultural activities at Lincoln Center. The U.S. note referenced the North Vietnamese decision to call off the April 24 private meeting and proposed a compromise solution.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Attached is the U.S. note, upon which is written: “Handed by Rodman to Miss Shih 3:00 PM.”


122. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, April 18, 1972, 1-1:35 a.m.

NSC staff member Rodman and Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua discussed the historians and philosophers Rodman had studied while a student at Harvard University. The Chinese note, which constituted a protest, stated that a U.S. military aircraft had intruded into Chinese airspace and that the aircraft was “very obviously one of the U.S. planes that bombed Haiphong on the same day.”

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Shih Yen-hua was also present. Brackets in the source text. Published from a copy that bears Rodman’s initials. Attached is the Chinese note, which bears the handwritten notation: “Amb. Huang handed to Rodman 4/18/72-1:00 AM


123. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, April 19, 1972, 10:05 a.m.-12:52 p.m.

NSC staff member Lord provided President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger with a brief summary of Senators Mansfield and Scott’s trip to China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1038, Files for the President-China Material, Mansfield/Scott Trip to China [April-May 1972]. The precise location of the meeting is not indicated on the memorandum. Lord transferred the memorandum to Kissinger under a May 12 covering memorandum that was sent for information. No classification marking appears on the memorandum of conversation. The covering memorandum is classified Secret; Sensitive. Attached but not published at Tabs A and B are Mansfield and Scott’s reports. Attached at Tab C of the covering memorandum are the memoranda of their conversations with Chou En-lai and Ch’iao Kuan-hua. The text of the first conversation is published herein and is presumably drafted by Norvil Jones, a staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Texts of the subsequent conversations are published as Documents 12426. Tabs D and E are attached but not published.


124. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, April 20, 1972, 10:45 a.m.-1:22 p.m.

Senators Mansfield and Scott and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ch’iao Kuan-hua discussed Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1038, Files for the President-China Material, Mansfield/Scott Trip to China [April-May 1972]. No classification marking. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Jones. Presumably the meeting was held at the Great Hall of the People.


125. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, April 20, 1972, 8:55-10:40 p.m.

Senators Mansfield and Scott and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai agreed that an American withdrawal from Vietnam would reduce tensions in Asia.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1038, Files for the President-China Material, Mansfield/Scott Trip to China [April-May 1972]. No classification marking. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Jones. The meeting was held at the Great Hall of the People.


126. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, April 22, 1972, 4:30-8 p.m.

Senators Mansfield and Scott and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai discussed the feasibility of neutralizing all of Indochina, how tensions on the Korean peninsula could be reduced, the state of negotiations between the Soviet Union and China on reducing border tensions, and the status of Cambodia.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1038, Files for the President-China Material, Mansfield/Scott Trip to China [April-May 1972]. No classification marking. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Jones. The meeting was held at the Great Hall of the People.


127. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, April 26, 1972, 5:50-6:30 p.m.

The President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig relayed to Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s discussions in Moscow concerning President Nixon’s upcoming visit, SALT negotiations, events in West Germany, and Vietnam.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The precise location of the conversation is not indicated. Brackets in the source text. Presumably drafted by Rodman. Shi Yen-hau was also present. See Document 122 for discussion of the April 18 Chinese note.


128. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, May 8, 1972, 8:45-9:10 p.m.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua informed NSC staff member Rodman that he would be unable to travel to Washington to meet with President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger but would welcome a meeting with Kissinger in New York.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Brackets in the source text. Attached but not published is Nixon’s letter to Chou En-lai


129. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, May 16, 1972, 6:10-7:10 p.m.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger alerted Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua as to the nature of the discussions at the upcoming U.S.-Soviet summit and reassured him that the U.S. would not agree to anything that would hurt Chinese interests.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Attached at Tab A is the U.S.-Soviet Bilateral Agreements; attached at Tab B is the Basic Principles of U.S.-Soviet Relations; and attached at Tab C is the draft Sino-American announcement.


130. Memorandum From Winston Lord of the National Security Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, June 3, 1972

Lord reported that the Chinese had requested that Kissinger pay an earlier visit to China. Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua also asked about the Moscow summit, and Lord reminded Huang Hua of Kissinger’s upcoming visit to Japan.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for action. Attached but not published at Tab A is the Chinese text. Attached but not published at Tab B is the American version. Attached but not published at Tab C is the Alsop letter to Kissinger.


131. Memorandum From Winston Lord of the National Security Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, June 5, 1972

Lord provided highlights of his most recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua. Topics included a Chinese protest note on U.S. intrusion into Chinese airspace and the revised dates of Kissinger’s impending visit to China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Haig. Attached at Tab A is the Chinese message, which bears the handwritten notation: “Amb H gave to WL 6/5/72.” Attached at Tab B is the American message.


132. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, June 10, 1972, 4-4:45 p.m.

Ambassador Ch’en Ch’u, the Deputy Permanent PRC Representative to the UN, complained to NSC staff member Howe about repeated U.S. violations of Chinese airspace by planes returning from bombing sorties against North Vietnam. Howe explained that the U.S. was investigating the allegations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The precise meeting location is not indicated. Drafted by Howe. Attached at Tab A is the Chinese note.


133. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, June 11, 1972, 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Deputy Permanent PRC Representative to the United Nations Ch’en Ch’u again broached the issue concerning violations of Chinese airspace by U.S. warplanes, noting that bombs had been dropped on Chinese civilian structures and on Chinese merchant ships. Ch’en charged that these sorties “seriously menaced Chinese personnel.” NSC staff member Howe assured Ch’en that the administration took the charges seriously and would investigate.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held in New York. Attached at Tab A is the Chinese note.


134. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, June 11, 1972

President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig explained to Shih Yen-hua of the PRC Mission to the United Nations that both President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger had instituted procedures to prevent further violations of Chinese airspace.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, PRC Allegations of Hostile Acts [ca. 6/72]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The time of the telephone conversation is not indicated on the memorandum.


135. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, June 12, 1972, 9:50-10:30 p.m.

NSC staff member Rodman told Shih Yen-hua of the PRC Mission to the United Nations that President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger had informed the Japanese Government that he would be visiting China. The Message acknowledged past accidental incursions into Chinese airspace, promised that new procedures had been instituted to prevent further transgressions, and apologized for the accidental bombing of Chinese territory.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Brackets in the source text. Attached at Tab A is the U.S. response to the Chinese notes on the aircraft incidents; it is published as Document 136. Attached but not published at Tab B is the message outlining details of Kissinger’s visit to Peking.


136. Message From the Government of the United States to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, undated

The note provided urgent comment on the three notes the Government of the People’s Republic of China had submitted to U.S. officials concerning intrusions into Chinese airspace.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. No classification indicated. Attached at Tab A of the June 12 memorandum of conversation.


137. Report Prepared in the Department of Defense, Washington, undated

The report addressed the allegations raised by the PRC in its June 10 note.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Visit, June 1972 Memcons (Originals). Top Secret; Sensitive. No drafting information appears on the report. A handwritten notation on page three of the report reads: “Mountains would preclude an attack southwest of Ping Hsiang.” For the Chinese note, see Document 133.


138. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, June 16, 1972

Secretary of Defense Laird outlined for the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger the findings of the investigation concerning PRC allegations of airspace intrusion.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 851, President’s File-China Trip, Memcons, HAK China Visit 19-23 June 1972 Staff. Top Secret; Sensitive; Codeword. Published from a copy that indicates Laird signed the original.


139. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 19, 1972, 10:25-11:20 p.m.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger informed Chinese Premier Chou En-lai that the United States would oppose Soviet aggression in the Far East. Kissinger also indicated that the Paris talks had been suspended and that he favored a Sino-Japanese rapprochement.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Visit, June 1972 Memcons (Originals). Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Presumably drafted by Lord. Ellipses and brackets are in the source text. The meeting was held at Guest House #5.


140. Backchannel Message HAKTO 7 From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Beijing, June 19, 1972, 1801Z

Kissinger described his reception as the “warmest” yet and reported Chinese Premier Chou En-lai’s interest in settling the Vietnam war.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China-Dr. Kissinger’s June 1972 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A copy was also sent to Rodman. Haig transmitted the message to Nixon under an attached June 19 covering memorandum summarizing Kissinger’s points. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. An additional notation reads: Haig, Rodman.”


141. Backchannel Message HAKTO 9 From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Beijing, June 20, 1972, 1713Z

Kissinger noted that he and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai had gathered for four separate meetings on the Soviet Union and Vietnam.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China-Dr. Kissinger’s June 1972 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A copy was also sent to Rodman. Handwritten notations on the memorandum read: “To HAK file” and “Haig, Rodman.” Haig transmitted the message to Nixon under an attached June 20 covering memorandum summarizing Kissinger’s meeting. A notation on the memorandum indicates that Nixon saw it. Nixon bracketed the section on McGovern.


142. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 21, 1972, 10:05 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Topics discussed included trade mechanisms and increased cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China in the areas of medicine and public health-specifically cancer research-scientific and cultural issues, cultural exchanges, and agricultural research

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 87, Country Files, Far East, China, PRC Counterpart Talks, 1971-73. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Richard Solomon. The meeting was held at the Guest House.


143. Backchannel Message HAKTO 12 From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Beijing, June 21, 1972, 1615Z

Kissinger recounted his 3 ½ hour session with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai. Topics discussed included the Soviet Union and Vietnam. Chou indicated that continuation of the war in Vietnam would not interfere in U.S.-Chinese rapprochement.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China-Dr. Kissinger’s June 1972 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Rodman. Haig transmitted the message to Nixon under an attached June 21 covering memorandum summarizing Kissinger’s third meeting with the Chinese. A notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it.


144. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 22, 1972, 2:38-4:28 p.m.

Topics discussed included the draft agreements on scientific, cultural, and technological matters, people-to-people exchanges, and trade issues.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 87, Country Files, Far East, China, PRC Counterpart Talks, 1971-73. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Solomon. Brackets in the source text. The meeting was held in Government Guest House #3.


145. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 22, 1972, 7:10-7:45 p.m.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai discussed foreign intervention in China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and their hopes for continued normalization of relations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Visit, June 1972 Memcons (Originals). Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Brackets in the source text. The meeting was held on a boat on a lake at the Summer Palace. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by either Lord or Howe.


146. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 22-23 1972, 11:03 p.m.-12:55 a.m.

Topics discussed included the Soviet Union, the war in Vietnam, and the presidential campaign.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Visit, June 1972 Memcons (Originals). Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Brackets in the source text. The meeting was held at the Government Guest House #5.


147. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, June 27, 1972

Kissinger provided a summary of his recent discussions with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai, terming them “my most extensive talks ever” with the Chinese leader. Vietnam, the Soviet Union, and various global issues constituted the broad outlines of these discussions.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China-Dr. Kissinger’s June 1972 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for information. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. On page one President Nixon wrote “Superb job-Covers all the bases with expert Tactics.” On page 4, after Kissinger noted Chou’s denial that China had been involved in the recent North Vietnamese offensive, the President wrote: “He may be telling the truth. However it was in his interest to stop the Soviet Summit if possible.” On page 8, regarding Kissinger’s declaration that the U.S. would not rule out first use of nuclear weapons, the President noted: “K-The renunciation of use by Soviet & U.S. will send him up the wall.” On page 10, regarding the projected 10-15 percent Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR), the President wrote: “a necessary limit.”


148. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, August 4, 1972, 5:15-6:45 p.m.

President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua discussed the recent Soviet nuclear non-aggression proposal, an Algerian proposal for Korean reunification, and the establishment of relations between West Germany and the PRC. Attached are the 12 point negotiating paper and opening statements.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 850, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, June 25, 1972-Oct 17, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Presumably drafted by Lord. Brackets in the source text. The precise location of the meeting is not indicated.


149. Letter from President Nixon to Chinese Premier Chou En-lai, Washington, June 28, 1972

Nixon thanked Chou En-lai for receiving his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and promised to continue the work of normalization.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical Files, China, Chron, May-June 1972. No classification marking.


150. Memorandum for the Record, New York, August 30, 1972, 5-5:55 p.m.

Deputy Director of the White House Situation Room V. James Fazio presented a U.S. note and report to Shih Yen-hau of the Chinese Mission to the UN. The note referenced the sinking of a PRC lifeboat in the vicinity of Hon Ngu Island, while the report justified the sinking on the grounds that the boat was carrying supplies to North Vietnam.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 850, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, June 25, 1972-Oct 17, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN. Drafted by Fazio on August 31.