LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Hon. FRANK CHURCH, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: During the period of January 3 to 14, 1979, I undertook a study mission to East Asia to analyze the consequences of Sino-American normalization of relations. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, it seemed clear to me that this shift after thirty years of varying degrees of hostility, was of utmost significance. Although interpreting events in China is limited by what the Chinese are willing to show or tell us, it is nevertheless possible to achieve some degree of understanding about China. This report relies upon discussions held with senior Chinese officials and generally available information. I had known the Old China as a U.S. Marine stationed in Peking for six months in 1946. Through the courtesy of Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (now Ambassador to Japan) I had the opportunity to become reacquainted with China during a three week visit in September and October of 1976. On this trip just completed I was part of a delegation led by Senator Sam Nunn and including Senators Gary Hart and William Cohen. Their efforts primarily represented the Armed Services Committee in an ongoing study of regional military balances. Their perceptive questions, gracious company and diligent approach to the many policy issues discussed were beneficial to me. Obviously on certain issues the interests of the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Foreign Relations Committee overlap and I profitted from their perspective. My primary inquiry focused on the foreign relations aspects of the new relationship, as will be evident in the report, which will provide the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Congress with a current, although personal, impression of China. During our short visit, meetings were held with Vice Premier Teng Hsiao-p'ing; with Ambassador Wang Ping-man of the Peoples Association for Friendship; with Tsai Cheng-wen, Director, Foreign Affairs, of the Ministry of National Defense; and with Acting Managing Director of the Bank of China, Feng Tien-shun. In addition, we met with senior Chinese military officials including the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Science and Technology, and the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for the Navy. I also want to express my appreciation to the Chinese Peoples Institute of Foreign Affairs for their assistance in arranging my schedule. I should like to acknowledge the superb assistance of the Department of the Navy in providing administrative and support services. through the services of Capt. John McCain USN, and Lt. Col. Albert Berry, USMC. The Department of State assigned Herbert Horowitz and David Kenney to assist the delegation and they were most helpful. The Department of the Air Force provided excellent transportation service. From the Senate, Roy Werner of the Committee on Foreign Relations staff, did an outstanding job both in preparation of background material for the trip, and this report. Mr. Carl Ford, of my office, made excellent contributions in the analysis of Chinese Defense Policies. Finally, I want to recognize the aid of Robert Sutter, Congressional Research Service, who prepared the analysis of earlier Congressional delegation trip reports. Sincerely, JOHN GLENN, Chairman, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs. |