Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–13, Documents on China, 1969–1972

136. Message From the Government of the United States to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, undated¹ ²

undated

The U.S. side wishes to provide urgent comments on the three notes that it has recently received from the Chinese side concerning the activities of U.S. aircraft.

A thorough investigation has been completed concerning the Chinese note on possible intrusions of U.S. aircraft into the airspace of the People’s Republic of China on June 4, 1972. The investigation covered aircraft flight paths, procedures followed, aircraft navigational equipment, flight monitoring systems and other means used to ensure against inadvertent intrusions. The investigation has been inconclusive. We confirm that U.S. aircraft were flying near the border of the People’s Republic of China at the time. The inconclusive nature of the investigation may be due to differences in radar characteristics or related factors. In order to avoid the possibility of further accidental intrusions into Chinese airspace, the U.S. has instituted new procedures to keep U.S. aircraft further away from Chinese territory and thus eliminate the reoccurrence of these regrettable incidents.

A thorough investigation has been launched on an urgent basis concerning the alleged intrusion by U.S. aircraft into Chinese airspace on June 9, 1972.

With respect to the reported intrusion into Chinese airspace and the reported accidental bombing of Chinese territory on June 10, 1972, the U.S. side apologizes for this inexcusable incident. An urgent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway. The U.S. side will take disciplinary action against the personnel responsible for this flagrant violation, however inadvertent, of strict standing orders.

The U.S. side is investigating the allegation that U.S. military aircraft caused damage to a Chinese merchant ship of June 9, 1972. While every precaution will continue to be taken to avoid such incidents, it must be pointed out that unloading operations within North Vietnamese territorial waters do entail the risks of accidents.

Dr. Kissinger looks forward to discussions of all important issues with Prime Minister Chou En-lai and other Chinese leaders. These discussions will be conducted on the U.S. side with every intention to pursue with energy and conviction the cause of normalizing Sino-U.S. relations.

1. 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.
2. 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.