B. Mutual Security Treaty With the Republic of China__ C. Texts of proposals made during 1955–56 negotiations with the People's LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Hon. JOHN SPARKMAN, NOVEMBER 18, 1976. Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: With the Committee's approval, and the support of President Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger, I visited the People's Republic of China from September 21, 1976, through October 12, 1976, as a guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs. Transmitted herewith is a report of that trip. A confidential report was submitted to President Ford when I met with him on November 5th. This visit was my sixth to China; it was the third since the new relationship was begun by President Nixon in 1972. A span of half-acentury between the first and the most recent provides a basis for perspective. While in China in late September and early October, I had the opportunity to travel widely, covering some 9,000 miles by plane, train, car, and boat. Through the courtesy of my Chinese hosts, I was privileged to enter areas in China not visited since 1949 by Americans, such as certain localities in the Xinjiang (Sinkiang) Region, and other places not visited by any official American group as, for example, parts of Jiangsu (Kiangsu) and Guangdong (Kwangtung) Provinces. The Chinese people were warm and gracious in their hospitality, anxious to accommodate and to display local accomplish ments. China is a vast, underdeveloped, resource-rich land of industrious and talented people who comprise some one-fourth the population of the globe. Chinese influence on the rest of the world, already substantial, will increase greatly in the decades ahead. It is essential that U.S. policy be shaped to that reality. I know of no greater service that I could render to the American people in the time remaining in my third of a century of service in the Congress than to contribute to bringing about better understanding of the People's Republic of China and a normalization of relations with that nation. I was accompanied on the trip by Senator John Glenn and his wife, Anna, both of whom contributed greatly to the mission. I wish to express my appreciation to the Department of State in Washington and in the field for assistance in arrangements throughout the course of the trip; the Department of the Air Force for transportation to and from China; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victor Dikeos for his efficient handling of logistics and other details during the trip; my assistant Mrs. Salpee Sahagian and Senator Glenn's secretary, Miss Kathy Prosser, for their able and willing help at all times; Dr. Thomas Lowe of the Navy Medical Corps for his services and his assistance in studying the Chinese system of health care; Mr. Francis R. Valeo, Secretary of the Senate, Mr. Charles R. Gellner, Senior Specialist in Foreign Affairs of the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, and Mr. Norvill Jones of the staff of the Committee on Foreign Relations, for their assistance. To Madame Kang Tai-sha, Mr. Cheng Wan-chen, Mr. Fan Kuohsiang, Miss Tsung Chun, Mrs. Ku Yi-jen, and Mr. Yung, of the People's Institute of Foreign Affairs who accompanied my group during its travels in China, go my special thanks. Their great kindness, warmth, and good humor typify the people of China. I also wish to express special appreciation to my wife, Maureen, for her usual helpful advice and good cheer throughout the trip. Sincerely, MIKE MANSFIELD. LETTER FROM PRESIDENT FORD THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, July 30, 1976. Hon. MIKE MANSFIELD, DEAR MIKE: One of the most helpful aspects of the resumption of friendly contact with the People's Republic of China has been the close collaboration between the Executive Branch and the Congress and the complete bipartisanship which has characterized the undertaking. As Majority Leader of the Senate, you and the Minority Leader have been principal participants in this process from the outset. It has been almost two years since your last visit to the People's Republic of China, and I am pleased to hear that you have again been invited to visit that country. Your trip will provide a renewed demonstration of the bipartisan support in Congress for our policy of improving Sino-American relations. Of equal significance is the fact that you will be the first Member of Congress to make three trips to the People's Republic. This background makes you an unusually qualified observer, and I would find it most useful to receive another report from you containing your latest impression of developments in the People's Republic of China and your recommendations concerning those policies which you feel may be most appropriate at this time. The Departments of the Executive Branch will, of course, be pleased to assist you in every appropriate way in connection with your visit. Sincerely, GERALD R. FORD. (VII) |