Documents on China, 1969–1972
61. Note From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, November 18, 1971
Haig relayed Military Attaché Walters’s information concerning the announcement of President Nixon’s China trip.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive.
62. Letter From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Military Attaché at the Embassy in France (Walters), Washington, November 19, 1971
Haig instructed Walters to hand Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen two messages during Walters’s November 20 meeting. The first message confirmed November 29 as the date for the announcement of President Nixon’s trip. The second message contained Kissinger’s comments on the present negotiating situation with North Vietnamese officials; Kissinger noted that the talks scheduled for November 20 in Paris would not take place.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Published from a copy that indicates Haig signed the original. Attached are the two messages.
63. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, November 20, 1971, 11:30 a.m.
Military Attaché Walters met with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen in order to deliver the messages Haig had transmitted the previous day. Huang provided Walters with a Chinese written message concerning a potential meeting between Ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua and Kissinger in New York.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical Files-China, Chron, 1 September-29 December, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Walters. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy. Attached is the English-language version of the Chinese message, with the handwritten notation: “11/20/71.”
64. Message From the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the Government of the United States, undated
The message expressed the Chinese belief that the Indian Government was “interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs,” and offered Chinese military and political support for Pakistan, in the event of an attack.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical Files-China, Chron, 1 September-29 December, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusive Eyes Only. The message bears the handwritten notation: “11/20/71.”
65. Checklist of Undertakings With the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Washington, June 17, 1972
The checklist contained the circumstance, nature, and status of each undertaking between the two nations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 87, Country Files, Far East, China, Commitments to the PRC [10/71-7/73]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent for information. Lord transmitted the checklist to Kissinger and Haig under a March 17 covering memorandum. Lord updated the checklist by hand on June 17. The copy published here is the June 17 version of the checklist.
66. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, November 21, 1971
NSC staff member Winston Lord recounted that President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger had instructed him to telephone Chinese Ambassador Huang Hua in order to communicate a message from Kissinger. Lord also indicated that NSC staff member Commander Jonathan Howe would directly communicate the message on November 22.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Lord on November 22. Huang Hua was staying at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York.
67. Memorandum for the Record, New York, November 22, 1971, 2-2:25 p.m.
NSC staff member Howe met with Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua and agreed that Huang and President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger would meet the next evening at 10 p.m. They also discussed the visit of U.S. officials to China during the previous month.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Howe. The meeting was held at the Hotel Roosevelt. The note is attached but not published.
68. Memorandum of Conversation, New York, November 23, 1971, 10-11:55 p.m.
President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua agreed to resist Indian military action against Pakistan and agreed on how they would handle the South Asian controversy in the United Nations Security Council. Kissinger also disavowed any U.S. involvement with the Formosan Independence Movement.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. According to information contained in Document, the meeting was held in an unidentified apartment building in New York. Howe noted that it was not in an “affluent area but had been selected primarily to insure privacy.” A typed notation on the memorandum of conversation indicates that the meeting was held on the East Side. For text of the draft UN Security Council resolution, see Document 69. For Kissinger’s summary of this meeting, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1972, volume XVII, China, 1969–1972, Document 173.
69. Message From the United States Government to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Washington, November 29, 1971
The message proposed the logistics and particulars for an advance trip prior to President Nixon’s February 1972 visit. It also outlined approaches U.S. officials had made concerning the India-Pakistan situations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Haig transmitted the message under a November 28 covering memorandum to Walters, requesting that Walters seek a meeting with Huang Chen on November 29 and indicating that Haig would provide him with an additional oral message for the Chinese. See Document 70 for information concerning the oral message. For the November 20 Chinese note, see Document 64. Attached is a copy of the United Nations Security Council resolution concerning the India-Pakistan crisis. Documentation on the India-Pakistan situation can be found in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971 and Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972.
70. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, November 29, 1971, 5 p.m.
Military Attaché Walters relayed to Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen details of President Nixon’s trip to China as well as Nixon’s and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s views on the Indo-Pakistan crisis to Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Walters on November 30. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly. For the message Walters delivered to the Chinese, see Document 69.
71. Memorandum for the Record, New York, December 3 and 4, 1971
Commander Howe reported on his telephone calls and meetings with two Chinese diplomats: Wang Hai-jung and T’ang Wen-Sheng. Howe had been instructed to communicate to the Chinese that the Pakistani Government had left it up to the United States Government to determine whether or not to request a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Drafted by Howe. A handwritten notation indicates that Haig saw the memorandum. Attached at Tab A is the message outlining communication channels between the U.S. and China and the steps the United States was taking in order to diffuse the situation. Handwritten notes on the attached message read: “Delivered by Jon Howe to Miss Tang 10:15 pm, 12/13/71” and “Win Lord.” For discussion of the communication channels agreed upon at the November 23 meeting, see Document 68. Attached at Tab B but not published is Howe’s hand-written note, dictated by Haig on December 4.
72. Message From Nancy Oullette to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Paris, December 10, 1971
Oullette indicated that Chinese officials had informed her that three Americans would be granted early release from their prison sentences and a fourth, convicted of espionage, would have his sentence reduced from life imprisonment to 5 years.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Secret; Eyes Only. No time of transmission or receipt appears on the message. A handwritten notation reads: “Winston,” in reference to Lord. Oullette served as Walters’ secretary in Paris.
73. Message From the Government of the United States to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Washington, December 17, 1971
The message summarized the exchanges between the United States and Soviet Union concerning the India-Pakistan situation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. No classification marking. A handwritten note reads, “Handed to Gen Walters 17 Dec 71 for delivery Dec 18.”
74. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, December 18, 1971, 11 a.m.
Military Attaché Walters read Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen the text of the U.S. message regarding U.S. activities concerning the India-Pakistan situation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusive; Eyes Only. Drafted by Walters on December 20. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly.
75. Backchannel Message From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Beijing, January 4, 1972
Haig reported that Chinese Premier Chou En-lai blamed Soviet “meddling” in South Asia and Indochina on their anger at the Chinese-U.S. rapprochement and criticized Washington’s continued bombing of North Vietnam.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1015, Haig Special File, Haig China Trip File [Haig Advance Party, Dec. 29, 1971 to Jan. 10, 1972] [1 of 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
76. Backchannel Message From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Beijing, undated
Haig communicated the fact that Chinese Premier Chou En-lai was willing to consider the U.S. views on Southeast Asia and that he had agreed to other aspects of President Nixon’s visit.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1037, Files for the President-China Material, China-AH January [1972] visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.
77. Backchannel Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig), Washington, undated
In reference to the joint communiqué, Kissinger informed Haig that it could be strengthened in terms of scientific and cultural exchanges. He also noted that with regards to South Asia, communication between the United States and China would take place via the Paris channel and that Haig should stress to the Chinese the U.S. readiness to accept a non-aligned Southeast Asia.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1037, Files for the President-China Material, China-AH January [1972]visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A typed notation indicated that the message was to be “delivered in sealed envelope directly to Gen. Haig.” Kissinger wrote next to the reference number: “and your immediately following message with identifier 008.”
78. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing January 6, 1972, 11 a.m.
President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig, acting on Kissinger’s instructions concerning the communique, informed Acting Chinese Foreign Minister Chi P’eng-fei that the United States wanted to strengthen trade, cultural, and scientific relations between the two nations and added that Moscow was blocking negotiated settlements in Indochina and South Asia.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1037, Files for the President-China Material, China, Haig trip-memcons January 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People.
79. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, January 7, 1972, 11:45 p.m.
Chinese Premier Chou En-lai voiced the Chinese views concerning the joint communiqué, which President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig indicated he would convey to President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and President Nixon.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1037, Files for the President-China Material, China, Haig trip-memcons, January 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People. The memorandum is mistakenly dated January 7, 1971.
80. Letter From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Military Attaché at the Embassy in France (Walters), Washington, January 24, 1972
Haig furnished instructions for documents Walters was asked to deliver to the Chinese ambassador on January 26.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The tabs are attached but not published. Walters’ account of the January 26 meeting is Document 82.
81. Letter From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the Military Attaché at the Embassy in France (Walters), Washington, January 25, 1972
Haig instructed Walters to hand-deliver two messages to the Chinese, including a proposal for a negotiated settlement of the Vietnam war.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Tab I is the substitute version of an enclosure attached to a note at Tab A in Document 80. Tab II is attached but not published.
82. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, January 26, 1972, 7:30 p.m.
Military Attaché Walters handed the Chinese the U.S. proposal for Indochina.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. No classification marking. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly. No drafting date appears on the memorandum. Walters added the handwritten notation “Provided” next to the sentence beginning with “He also said that they did not know…” For additional information about the attached tabs, see Document 80.
83. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, January 30, 1972
Military Attaché Walters reported an “uncomfortable” meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen on January 30th in response to the January 26th U.S. proposal on Indochina.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. No classification marking. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly. The meeting time is not indicated. A handwritten notation on the memorandum reads: “Win.”
84. Memorandum for Record, Paris, February 1, 1972
Military Attaché Walters reported that his meeting with the Chinese had been cordial, which was a marked change from his previous meeting.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. No classification marking. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly. The meeting time is not indicated. A handwritten notation on the memorandum reads: “Win.”
85. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, February 11, 1972, 4 p.m.
Additional discussion concerning the Chinese support for the North Vietnamese. President Nixon’s reelection prospects were also mentioned.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. No classification marking. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly.
86. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, undated
The paper provided a summary of Chairman of the Communist Party of China Mao Tse-tung’s major philosophical and political themes and offered a brief history of China since the Communists assumed power in 1949.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical Files, China, Trips, February 1972, Briefing Book. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Published from an undated draft. Kissinger transmitted the paper to Nixon under a February 15 covering memorandum. A handwritten note reads “Put in President’s Mao/Chou book Feb. 15 AM.” Tab A, Mao Tse-tung’s 1949 article, is attached but not published. Brackets and ellipses are the source text.
87. Memorandum for the Record, Paris, February 17, 1972, 5 p.m.
Military Attaché Walters’s meeting with the Chinese covered President Nixon’s departure to China, Nixon’s pursuit of an open dialogue with China, and U.S.-West German relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, January 1-February 29, 1972. No classification marking. The meeting was held at Chen’s residence in Neuilly.
88. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, February 21, 1972, 2:30-2:40 p.m.
President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai briefly discussed the toasts each would give that evening at dinner.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 92, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Meetings in the People’s Republic of China during the Presidential Visit, February 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Lord. Another set of these documents is ibid., President’s Trip, February 1972, HAK Conversations. Unless noted otherwise, the versions are identical. The meeting was held at the President’s Guest House, Beijing. All brackets are in the source text.
89. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, February 21, 1972, 4:15-5:30 p.m.
President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger explained that only Secretary of State Rogers had seen portions of the draft communique. Other Department of State officials were unaware of the specifics of Kissinger’s discussion with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 92, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Meetings in the People’s Republic of China during the Presidential Visit, February 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum, presumably Lord was the drafter. The meeting was held at the Guest House, Villa 2. All brackets and ellipses are in the source text.
90. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, February 22, 1972, 10:05-11:55 a.m.
President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ch’iao Kuan-hua discussed the wording of the communiqué, specifically in relation to the South Asia crisis and the continuing dilemma over Taiwan. The main sticking point for Ch’iao remained Washington’s unwillingness to withdraw all its troops from Taiwan. Kissinger responded that the U.S. was “confronting …a very complex domestic situation” in reference to the “China Lobby.”
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 92, Country Files, Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Meetings in the People’s Republic of China during the Presidential Visit, February 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum, presumably drafted by Lord. The meeting was held at the Guest House, Villa 2.