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

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

undated

11/20/71

1. The Chinese side agrees that while Paris remains the primary channel, the Chinese and United states sides designate specific persons to contact each other in New York, and proposes that the Vice-Chairman of the Delegation of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Mr. Huang Hua for the Chinese side meet with Dr. Kissinger.

“The Chinese side’s understanding is that such meetings should only be for exchanges of views on relevant major questions of principle within the scope of the work of the United Nations and would not need to involve commitments and, moreover, they would not be made public and secrecy would be maintained by both sides. As for the concrete arrangements for the meetings, please contact Mr. Huang Hua and work them out directly with him.

“2. With regard to the Indian-Pakistan situation, India is at present interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and carrying out subversive activities and military threats against Pakistan by continuing to exploit the East Pakistan question. The Indian-Pakistan situation is aggravating daily. The Chinese side maintains that the East Pakistan question is the internal affair of Pakistan which brooks no foreign interference and that disputes between countries should be settled between the two sides concerned through consultation and not by resorting to force of arms. The proposal put forward by President Yahya Khan for the armed forces of India and Pakistan to withdraw from the border respectively and disengage is helpful to the easing of tension in the Sub-Continent and should be welcomed. Should Pakistan be subjected to aggression by India, China will support the Pakistan Government and people in their just struggle. China already made public its above stand during the visit of the Pakistan Delegation to China. China has also agreed to continue to provide military assistance.

“It is hoped that the United States will exert its influence to prevent the further deterioration of the situation through persuasion.

“3. The Chinese side has no objection to the release by the U.S. side of the four points of information under item 3 in the U.S. message of November 16 with the understanding that it is agreeable to the U.S. side that the joint announcement of the date of President Nixon’s visit to China be made on November 29, Washington time.”

1. 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.”
2. 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.