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

159. Memorandum for the Record, New York, September 25, 1972, 7-7:20 p.m.¹ ²

New York, September 25, 1972, 7-7:20 p.m.

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

September 26, 1972

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

Following is a report of a meeting with Mrs. Shih at the Chinese Mission in New York on September 25, 1972.

I entered the Chinese Mission at approximately 7:00 p.m., where I was greeted by Mrs. Shih and escorted to a room on the second floor. Mrs. Shih served tea and exchanged pleasantries.

Mrs. Shih informed me that the Ambassador would not be able to attend since they just returned from the UN where they heard Secretary Rogers’ speech. I asked what she thought of the speech; Mrs. Shih said although we have our differences, she thought the speech was well organized and to the point. Mrs. Shih then asked if Mr. Lord was traveling. I said he was, without mentioning where or when.

Mrs. Shih then presented the note (attached) and asked me to read it. After reading it, I said there were no questions and that I would deliver it as soon as possible.

Mrs. Shih then turned the conversation back to generalities and asked when General Haig was leaving and if his replacement had been named. I replied General Haig would leave before the end of the year and his replacement has not been named.

After additional pleasantries, I departed the Mission at 7:20 p.m. and telephoned General Haig with a gist of the note.

* * * *

For what it’s worth, the following is additional background on Mrs. Shih:

• — She has a 3 1/2 year old daughter who is staying with her sister in Shanghai.
• — Her husband is with the Mission in New York. He speaks fluent French, some Spanish, and a little English. Mrs. Shih said her French was only fair since the members of the French Mission with whom she deals prefer to speak English.

V. James Fazio

Situation Room

The Chinese side expresses the following’ views on the Soviet proposal concerning non-use of force in international relations and permanent prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, which Dr. Kissinger inquired about during the September 19 meeting:

1. The Soviet proposal is a hoax aimed at hoodwinking public opinion and masking its policy of nuclear monopoly and nuclear threat.

2. The Chinese side has always stood for strict differentiation between the aggressor and the victim of aggression, and opposed sweeping generalization on the nonuse of force. In international relations, it is imperative for states to first of all commit themselves to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-aggression against other states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence; only on this basis can there be any talk of renunciation of the use or threat of force in resolving international disputes. This has already been affirmed in the Sino-U.S. Joint Communique. In its proposal, the Soviet Union advocates without stating any conditions that in a nuclear age mankind has no other way than peaceful coexistence of states, advertises indiscriminate nonuse of force, and preaches as a claptrap the permanent prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons. Its purpose is essentially to get the people of all countries to meekly submit to its nuclear-supported expansionism. This is utterly unacceptable.

3. China has long stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons and for reaching, as the first step, an agreement on the non-use of nuclear weapons. In appearance, the Soviet proposal calls for permanent prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, yet it eludes the question of destruction of nuclear weapons. That is to say, they want to keep nuclear weapons permanently in their hands and improve and develop them continuously. That is a cheap diplomatic trick, to which China will never agree.

4. The Chinese side has noted that the U.S. side does not agree to the Soviet proposal out of its own considerations. The Chinese side wishes to inform the U.S. side that the Chinese Delegation will expose and refute that proposal during the debate at the current session of the U.N. General Assembly.

1. 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 September 25.
2. Deputy Director of the White House Situation Room Fazio and Shih Yen-hua of the Chinese Mission to the UN briefly discussed Secretary of State Rogers’ speech to the UN General Assembly. Shih Yen-hua provided Fazio with a note expressing Chinese views on the Soviet non-use of force proposal.