20. Message From the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the Government of the United States, Beijing, September 13, 19711 2
Text of Chinese Oral Note
Presented September 13, 1971
The Chinese Government agrees that Dr. Kissinger’s four day interim visit to China should take place beginning October 20.
According to its customary practice, the Chinese side would issue a press release only upon Dr. Kissinger’s arrival in China and not in advance. But if the U.S. side deems it necessary to make the visit known beforehand, the Chinese side proposes that the two sides issue on October 14 their respective press releases of the same content in the following wording:
“The Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America have agreed that Dr. Kissinger will visit Peking in the latter part of October for talks with the Chinese Government to make concrete arrangements for President Nixon’s visit to China.”
As for the U.S. proposal regarding the time of President Nixon’s visit to China, it may be discussed and decided upon during Dr. Kissinger’s interim visit.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.↩
- The message discussed whether or not the two countries should announce President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s October 20 interim visit before or upon his arrival.↩