Cable from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 'Instructions for Ambassador Wang'

Secret

[To] Ambassador Wang Bingnan:

Your telegram dated 10:30 a.m., 26 August [1955], was received.

1. Since our stand at the talks is very clear, the US side indeed needs time to rethink its tactics. It also attempts to use this recess to put pressure on us. When the talks are resumed, the US has four options: to break the talks; to reach an agreement on Agenda I; to insist on setting a time limit for releasing US nationals in order to put pressure on us; to continue to bargain in order to procrastinate. In accordance with the current situation, it is very likely that the US side would put pressure on us or put off the talks.

2. In view of the aforementioned assessment, we should stick to our position. We should also take the initiative to move the talks forward. We will invalidate US pressure and liquidate its excuses for putting off the talks. Should the US side insist on doing so, we will place them in an unfavorable and passive position. We will absolutely make no concessions on the issue of a time limit. For US nationals who applied to leave a long time ago and with no unfinished cases, we should take the initiative to grant them exit permits so as to move the talks forward.

3. At dinner with Johnson on 28 August, we should take the initiative to raise the following points:

1) Regarding the return of civilians: Prior to the first talk, we released eleven US Air Force personnel before their sentences expired. At the outset of the talk, we informed the other side of our policy toward US nationals in China. All US nationals who apply to leave may leave at any time if there is no unfinished case. For those US nationals with civil and criminal cases, the Chinese government is reviewing their cases one by one and is lenient in treatment. We have also indicated that the Chinese government is adopting measures so that US nationals in China could exercise their right to return as soon as possible. So we believe there is absolutely no reason not to reach an agreement on the return of civilians of both countries.

2) According to the name list given to us from the US side, there are twelve American nationals in China who applied to leave. If they have applied and have no unfinished cases, they could leave China.

3) Those US nationals in China who have committed criminal offenses, the Chinese government will review their cases one by one, considering lenient treatment. Our word counts. We have stated that we will notify the results of cases reviewed once an agreed announcement is reached. We will review other cases as soon as possible. These will depend on reaching an agreement. We absolutely cannot set a time limit for releasing them because it is incompatible with our sovereignty and legal procedures. If an agreement is reached between the two sides, after representation is made by a third country, they will soon get lenient treatment in accordance with their personal conduct and the improvement in Sino-American relations. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, it will be very difficult to release them before their sentences expire.

4) Regarding the Chinese in the US: We have made many concessions and many of our requests have not been honored. We have not even got a sum total, a list of names and the state of affairs [of Chinese nationals in the US]. We have not been notified of the circumstances of those Chinese who have been detained or imprisoned. We have not received a list of those Chinese who applied to return long ago, but have been prevented from leaving. Our request for third party representation has not been fully satisfied. We have consented to the format of an agreed announcement…There are many Chinese in the United States. Whether they can return without obstruction depends on the implementation of the agreed announcement and the improvement of relations between our two countries. Nonetheless, we place hopes on the US declarations and indications at the talks and are willing to reach an agreement. We will work to improve relations between the two sides. We cannot be satisfied with the situation that the two sides have not reached an agreement.

5) At the invited meal, Johnson said that the US wants to improve relations with China and hopes to have positive results. We welcome this attitude. Our objective in this talk is to reach agreement and to improve relations. We think if both sides cherish the same idea and accept the principle of consultation and reconciliation, an agreement could be reached at the Sino-American talks. If the talks are used as a propaganda tool, if one side insists on an unwarranted demand, then this will negate the implications of the talks. This will not be conducive to the improvement of Sino-American relations and will work to prevent a better relationship.

4. Regarding possible questions from the US side during the conversation, please respond to them in accordance with the following outline:

1) Should the US side ask about whether the twelve American nationals who applied to leave have been approved [to do so], they could leave now or whether we could announce ahead of schedule, we should tell him that we have no comment at this time.

2) Should the US side insist on setting a time limit for releasing US nationals, we must tell him that this is absolutely impossible. If the US side insists on such a demand, it is impossible to reach an agreement. We should also point out that if we also insist on such unwarrantable demands, like the US side, then it is impossible to reach an accord. But we have not done so.

3) Should the US side threaten us with a recess or suspension of the talks, we should refute him resolutely. We should also point out, if the US side attempts to put pressure on us by postponing the twelfth talk to 31 August, then we can tell him in advance that it won’t work.

Foreign Ministry

28 August 1955