RECENT MESSAGES BETWEEN US AND PRC

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05407402
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 89
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-01277

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RECENT MESSAGES BETWEEN US AND PRC
Attached are the specific messages exchanged by the US and PRC since
April 21. Message dates are as indicated and the substance and status
of each note are written in parentheses.
TAB
Message Date Description
April 21
April 28
May 10
May 20
Message from Premier Chou En Lai
delivered by Amb. Hilaly on April 27.
(Reaffirms willingness to receive
Presidential envoy in Peking.) Delivered
to PRC Ambassador to Pakistan.
Oral message delivered to Amb. Hilaly
and transmitted to PRC Ambassador by
Yahya May 1. (Thanks Chou En Lai for
constructive message of April 21 and
promises early response. Also contains
separate message to be conveyed to
Chou En Lai as Yahyals personal views
stressing President Nixon$s interest in
handling negotiations himself until
government to government channel established.)
Response to April 21 message delivered
to Amb. Hilaly. (President Nixon proposes
secret meeting between Dr. Kissinger and
Chou En Lai or representative in preparation
for possible Presidential visit to Peking.)
Message transmitted to Amb. Farland for
delivery to PRC via Yahya. (Provides text
of May 20 SALT announcement and emphasis
that US will conclude no agreement which
would be directed against PRC.)
Oral message delivered to HAK by Amb. Hilaly
(Yahya tells HA.K a very encouraging and
positive PRC response is forthcoming. Meeting
will occur in Capital with travel arrangements
to be made by Chinese.)
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Message Date
June 4'
Description
Letter dated May 29, 1971. (Chairman
Mao welcomes both President Nixon's
visit and Mr. Kissinger who will precede
him for preliminary secret meeting in
China. Date preferred for Dr. Kissinger's
visit June 15-20th.)
Message handed to Amb. Rilaly by HAK
(Dr. Kissinger will meet with Chou en-Lai
in China July 9-11 and will be authorized
to settle on joint communique.)
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TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE
Extract of MEMCON dated May 5, 1971
Ambassador Hilaly called today asking that the following information
be passed to the President;
The message which Dr. Kissinger gave him on April 28 was trans-
mitted directly to President �Yahya that same evening. President
Yahya has cabled Hilaly confirming that Yahya personally conveyed
the message to the Ambassador of Communist China on Saturday
morning, May 1. It most probably reached Chou-en-lai the same
day or the following day.
Ambassador Hilaly said that what he had told President Yahya on behalf
of President Nixon on the basis of Dr. Kissinger's talk with him was as
follows:
The President asked that the following message be passed to President
Yahya:
My warm thanks for the helpful role you have played. I
particularly appreciate the delicacy and tact with which you
have handled these important exchanges. Please thank
Chou-en-lai for his message which I think is positive,
constructive and forthcoming. I will soon be replying to it
in the same spirit.
Ambassador Hilaly noted further that Dr. Kissinger asked him to convey
the following to Chou-en-lai stated as President Yahya's personal views:
I feel that President Nixon is very anxious to handle these negotiations
entirely by himself and not to let any politician come into the picture
until a government-to-government channel is established. My
Ambassador in Washington thinks this is because President Nixon
will find it more difficult to move quickly in the matter if American
politicians come into it. Therefore, it would be best until President
Nixon's reply is received and an American envoy is designated for
these discussions if the Chinese government would not discuss the
matter with any American politician. This does not mean that there
is any objection to continuation of the People-to-People program.
In fact, Ambassador Hilaly thinks that President Nixon would be
very happy if every other kind of American visitor is encouraged
to visit China--students, reporters, scholars, etc. --so this is a
temporary thing until the official link is established.
Ambassador Hilaly said that he received a telegram from President Yahya
saying that the above was conveyed as suggested.
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�
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�
-
M 621 j � / �
President Nixon has carefully studied the message of April Z1,
1971, from Premier Chou En-Lai conveyed through the courtesy of
President Yahya Khan. President Nixon agrees that direct high-level
negotiations are necessary to resolve the issues dividing the United
States of America and the People's Republic of China. Because of the
importance he attaches to normalizing relations between our two countries,
President Nixon is prepared to accept the suggestion of Premier
Chou En-Lai that he visit Peking for direct conversations with the
leaders of the People's Republic of China. At such a meeting each side
would be free to raise the issue of principal concern to it.
In order to prepare the visit by President Nixon and to establish
reliable contact with the leaders of the Chinese People's Republic, President
Nixon proposes a preliminary secret meeting between his Assistant for
National Security Affairs, Dr. Kissinger and Premier Chou En-Lai
or another appropriate high-level Chinese official. Dr. Kissinger would be
prepared to attend such a meeting on Chinese soil preferably at some
location within convenient flying distance from Pakistan to be suggested
by the People's Republic of China. Dr. Kissinger would be authorized to
discuss the circumstances which would make a visit by President Nixon
most useful, the agenda of such a meeting, the time of such a visit and to
begin a preliminary exchange of views on all subjects.of mutual interest.
If it should be thought desirable that a special emissary come to Peking
publically between the secret visit to the People's Republic of China of
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Dr. Kissinger and the arrival of President Nixon, Dr. Kissinger will
be authorized to arrange it. It is anticipated that the .visit of President
Nixon to Peking could be announced within a short time of the secret
meeting between Dr. Kissinger and Premier Chou En-Lai. Dr. Kissinger
will be prepared to come from June 15 onward.
It is proposed that the precise details of Dr. Kissinger's trip
including location, duration of stay, communication and similar matters
be discussed through the good offices of President Yahya Khan. For
secrecy, it is essential that no other channel be used. It is also under-
sfood that this first meeting between Dr. Kissinger and high officials of
the People's Republic of China be strictly secret.
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ET;- /Ake_ y_z
TOP SEcRE'ristwaTrirWrxcLusxvIrLy rrrs ONLY
VIA S.PECIAL CIANL
May 20 p 1971
FORs AMBASSADOR FA RUA=
FROM: 1-11:NRY A. KLSSINGER
Please deliver attached message to Yabya personally
for immediate transmittal by him to PRG Ambassador.
But regards.
A.ttachnxent
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVr/rxc tusivrLY ryFS OXLY
HAK:AMlismIlutyped 5/20/71
.� I
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&cktitAvAt4( 4-01Ram,"
-ferYalAy 4 0417,
MESSAGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
In case the People's Republic of China has not been apprised,
the United States Government wishes to inform it of the following state-
ment made by the President of the United States on May 20, 1971:
"The Governments of the United States and the Soviet
Union, after reviewing the course of their talks on the lim-
itation of strategic armaments, have agreed to concentrate
this year on working out an agreement for the limitation of
the deploy-m.ent.of anti-ballistic missile systems (ABM's).
They have also agreed that, together with concluding an
agreement to limit ABM's, they will agree on certain
measures with respect to the limitation of offensive strategic
weapons.
"The two sides are taking this course in the conviction
that it will create more favorable conditions for further nego-
tiations to limit all strategic arms. These negotiations will
be actively pursued."
President Nixon wishes to emphasize that it is his policy to con-
clude no agreement which would be directed against the People's
Republic of China. Mr. Kissinger is prepared to include this issue
and related questions on the agenda of the proposed meeting with the
designated representative of the People's Republic of China.
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,410 Li
'11
4,4 2-0 S/3/4
1. There is a very encouraging and positive response to the last
rries sage.
2. Please convey to Mr. Kissinger that the meeting will take place
in the capital for which travel arrangements will be made by us.
3. Level of meeting will be as proposed by you.
. Full message will be transmitted by safe means.
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J./7 .7",) 4,1 X,frsir
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/ , I -4,
"Premier Chou En Lai sincerely thanks His Excellency President
Yahya Khan for most rapidly transmitting the three messages from President
Nixon.
"Premier Chou. En, Lai has seriously studied President Nixon's
messages of April 29, May 17th and May 22nd 1971, and has reported with
much pleasure to Chairman Mao Tse Tung that President Nixon is prepared
to accept his suggestion to visit Peking for direct conversations with the
leaders of the Peoples Republic of China. Chairman Mao Tse Tung has
indicated that he welcomes President Nixon's visit and looks forward to
that occasion when he may have direct conversations with His Excellency
the President, in which each side would be free to raise the principal issue
of concern to it. It goes without saying that the first question to be settled
is the crucial issue between China and the United States which is the question
of the concrete way of the withdrawal of all the U. S. Armed Forces from
Taiwan and Taiwan Straits area.
"Premier Chou En Lai welcomes Dr. Kissinger to China as the
U. S. representative who will come in advance for a preliminary secret
� meeting with high level Chinese officials to prepare and make necessary
arrangements for President Nixon's visit to Peking.
"Premier Chou En. Lai suggests that it would be preferable for
Dr. Kissinger to set a date between June 15 and 20th for his arrival in
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China, and that he may fly direct from Islamabad to a Chinese airport not
open to the public. As for the flight, he may take a Pakistan Boeing aircraft
or a Chinese special plane can be sent to fly him to and from China, if
needed. The talks plus the flights on both ways will probably take three or
four days. If there is the desire to use his own telecommunication equipment
on a temporary basis during his stay in China he may do so.
"As it is difficult to keep Dr. Kissinger's trip strictly secret, he
may well consider coming for the meeting in an open capacity. If secrecy
is still desired the Government of the Peoples Republic of China will on its
part guarantee the strict maintenance of secrecy. When the talks have
yielded results, the two sides may agree to a public announcement to be made
after the meeting, if it is so desired.
"As for other details, they may be discussed and arranged through
President Yahya Khan directly with the Chinese Ambassador.
"Premier Chou En Lai warmly looks forward to the meeting with
Dr. Kissinger in China in the near future. "
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-71-1 :
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/ e
President Nixon has carefully reviewed the May 29, 1971,
message from Premier Chou en-Lai which President Yahya Khan so
kindly conveyed. President Nixon looks forward with great pleasure
to the opportunity of a personal meeting and discussions with the
leaders of the People's Republic of China.
The President appreciates the warm welcome extended by
Premier Chou en-Lai to his personal representative, Dr. Kissinger.
Because of the shortness of time available and the need to arrange a
suitable pretext for his travel, Dr. Kissinger now finds it impossible
to leave Washington before the first week of July. Accordingly,
President Nixon proposes that Dr. Kissinger arrive in China on July 9
and leave on July 11, flying in a Pakistani Boeing aircraft from
Islamabad to Peking.
Dr. Kissinger will be authorized to discuss all issues of
concern to both countries preliminary to President Nixon's visit to
China and to make all arrangements for the President's visit.
Dr. Kissinger will not require his own telecommunication equipment.
Itnis envisaged that four members of his personal staff will accompany
President Nixon appreciates the fact that the Government
of the People's Republic of China will maintain strict secrecy
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with respect to Dr. Kissinger's visit and considers this essential.
Dr. Kissinger will be authorized to settle on a possible communique
.to be issued sometime after his return to the United States if this is
mutually desired.
Dr. Kissinger warmly looks forward to his visit to China and
to his meeting with Premier Chou en-Lai. President Nixon considers
this trip a very positive first step in improving relations between the
United States and the People's Republic of China.
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0-t
MEMORANDUM
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET/SENSITIVE
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. KISSINGER
FROM: Harold H. Saunders*.
SUBJECT: Urgent Request for Appointment with
Ambassador Hi/aly
April 27, 1971
p
Ambassador Hilaly called at 3:45 p.m. today to ask for five
� minutes of your time as soon as possible. He says he has an
� urgent message from his President having to do with Commu-
nist China.
� I explained that you might be leaving town, and he stressed the
urgency of this and said that he would only need five minutes.
Since you know more about this operation than I do, I simply
pass this along and will be glad to serve as a channel if you can
give Hilaly five minutes before you leave.
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CHRONOLOGY
Saunders memo to HAK Urgent Request for appointment
w/Amb. Hilaly, April 27, 1971
Message from Premier Chou en-Lai dated April 21, 1971
(Delivered by Amb. Hilaly to Mr. Kissinger, 6:15 p.m.,
April 27, 1971)
Record of a Discussion with Mr. Kissinger at the White House on
16 Dec 1970 (Delivered by Amb Hilaly, 6:15 p.m.,
April 27, 1971)
Cable for Amb. Farland from Mr. Kissinger, 3 May 1971
(sent thru CIA) re Undertaking trip to Los Angeles
TAB
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb. Farland, recid 2:30 p.m., 5
5/4/71, re Trip to Los Angeles planned for 8 May 1971
Cable for Amb. Farland from Mr. Kissinger (sent to CIA at
2:58 p.m., 5/4/71) re possible mtg on May 7 rather than
May 8 in Los Angeles
Message received from Amb. Farland, 5/5/71, re Flight arrival
Memo to the President from Gen. Haig re China, 5/5/71 - Summary
of May 5 Haig/Hilaly mtg in which Hilaly confirms delivery
of April 28 oral messages to PRC Ambassador to Pakistan,
May 1
Memo for the President and Memcon of Mr. Kissinger's mtg
w/Arrib. Farland, May 7, 1971 Amb. Farland apprised
of proposed trip and technical details discussed
Establishment of Special Channel, 8 May 1971
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6
10
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TAB
Note handed by Mr. Kissinger to Amb. Hilaly at 12:00, May 10, 11
1971 - Response to Chou en-Lai letter
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb. Farland, 13 May 1971 12
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb Farland, 13 May 1971 13
Cable for Amb. Farland from Mr. Kissinger re Msg passed 14
to Yahya, 14 May 1971
Cable for Amb. Farland from Mr. Kissinger re flight information 15
requested, 17 May 1971
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb. Farland re Options to 16
Accomplish Objectives, May 19, 1971
40' Cable for Amb. Farland from Mr. Kissinger re Message to be 17
delivered to Yahya personnally, 20 May 1971
Message for the Government of the People's Republic of China 18
(Handed to Arab. Hilaly, 12:10 p.m., 20 May 1971)
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb. Farland re appointment with 19
Yahya, rec'd 20 May 1971
Memo for Record re Correction in time of Amb. Farland's 20
appointment with Yahya, 21 May 1971
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from Amb. Farland, 22 May 1971, re
Receipt of message by Yahya and deliver of message
to Chicorn Ambassador
21
Cable for Mr. Kissinger from An-lb. Farland, 23 May 1971, re 22
trip plans
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TAB
Oral Message delivered by Amb. Hilaly to Mr. Kissinger 23
9:10 p.m., May 31, 1971
Letter dated May 29, 1971. (Chairman Mao welcomes both President 24
Nixon's visit and Mr. Kissinger who will precede him for
preliminary secret meeting in China. Date preferred for
Dr. Kissinger's visit June 15-20th. )
Letter dated June 4, 1971 handed to Amb. Hilaly by Mr. Kissinger
(Dr. Kissinger will meet with Chou en-Lai in China
July 9-11 and will be authorized to settle on joint communique.)
(Drafts 1-4 are attached)
Suggested trip itinerary and alternate trip itinerary prepared
June 4, 1971
Briefing Materials for Meeting - prepared June 4, 1971
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25
26
27
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