Sino-American Confrontation, 1949-1971
The People's Republic of China and the United States squared off against one another from 1949 through 1971. For other Digital Archive collections on US-China relations, see Sino-US Ambassadorial Talks, 1955-1970, and Sino-American Cooperation, 1972-1989. (Image: Dwight Eisenhower visits Taiwan, June 1960.)
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May 23, 1949
Cable, Kovalev to Stalin, Report on the 22 May 1949 CCP CC Politburo Discussion
Kovalev reports to Stalin on the politburo meeting. the discussion concerned the economic situation in China, the military situation in China, and a previous conversation between Mao and American ambassador John Leighton Stuart.
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January 20, 1951
Report from P. F. Yudin to I. V. Stalin on Meetings with the Leaders of the Communist Party of China, including Mao Zedong on 31 December 1950
Yudin recounts his meetings with Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhou Enlai. In three meetings, Yudin learned more about China's relations with other communist parties in Asia, economic conditions in China, and developments in the Korean War.
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January 04, 1955
Minutes of Conversation between Premier Zhou Enlai and Soviet Ambassador Pavel Yudin regarding Dag Hammarskjold’s Trip to Beijing
The Soviet ambassador brought to Zhou Enlai a telegram between the United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and the UN Assistant Secretary-General. The telegram stated that Hammarskjöld was going to visit Beijing for negotiating the release of the US pilots who had served in the Korean War and been captured by the Chinese.
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January 05, 1955
Transcript of Conversation between Zhou Enlai and Humphrey Trevelyan
Zhou Enlai discusses with Trevelyan Humphrey about China's concerns with Britain's attitude change regarding Sino-Britain relations. Zhou says that the Chinese side is willing to improve Sino-British relations and improve the situation in East Asia nd ease international tensions. Zhou also discusses with Humphrey the Taiwan issue. He criticizes the U.S. for infringing upon Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan and Britain for its double standards on the Taiwan issue.
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January 22, 1955
Record of Conversation from Premier Zhou's Reception of the Indonesian Ambassador Arnold Mononutu
The Indonesian ambassador tells Zhou that the Indonesian government has sent out the letter of invitation inviting China to attend the Asia-African Conference. Indonesia hopes that PRC will send delegation to this conference and that the Chinese premier will visit Indonesia. Zhou Enlai expresses that after the Chinese government receives the official letter of invitation, the government will give official reply.
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January 28, 1955
Mao Zedong, 'The Chinese People Cannot Be Cowed by the Atom Bomb'
Mao Zedong spoke to the Finnish Ambassador Carl-Johan Sundstrom on the history of Chinese wars with European powers and states that China and Finland have had friendly relations. He then addressed the possibility of the U.S. waging an atomic war over Taiwan and how Chinese would respond. Finally, Mao foreshadowed the downfall of U.S. and British ruling classes to the end of tsarist Russia and Chiang Kai-shek should the United States enter another world war.
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January 23, 1956
Gazette of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, 1956, No. 03 (Overall Issue No. 29)
This issue features remarks from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about an incursion of two US military aircraft in Chinese airspace. It also discusses mobilizing primary and secondary school graduates to participate in the agricultural cooperative movement. Other sections cover scientific collaboration between universities and research institutions, sports, and the handicraft industry.
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March 10, 1956
Gazette of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, 1956, No. 09 (Overall Issue No. 35)
This issue features a political report from Zhou Enlai, which discusses the Five-Year Plan, the transformation of Chinese intellectuals, the United States, and Taiwan. It also conveys instructions from the Department of Higher Education, the Ministry of Health, the Sports Committee, and the New Democracy Youth League (later the Communist Youth League) to further develop sports in colleges and universities. Other sections cover various administrative concerns, including the division of districts in Shanghai, the establishment of Guixi Tong Autonomous Prefecture in Guangxi, and the transfer of towns from Jilin Province to Inner Mongolia.
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May 17, 1956
Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, 'Pakistani President’s Exclusive Conversation with American Reporters'
The Pakistani President stated that Islamabad's warming relationship with the PRC did not mean a move away from the US. He reaffirmed Pakistani commitment to the Southeast Asian defense treaty and the Baghdad Pact while urging the US to recognize the PRC and advocating an increase in Sino-Japanese trade.
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September 15, 1956
Gazette of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, 1956, No. 33 (Overall Issue No. 59)
This issue begins with a statement about an American military aircraft that intruded into Chinese airspace on August 23rd. It also discusses transporting cargo from ports along the Yangtze River, agricultural matters such as breeding animals in production cooperatives, and the "exemplary worker movement" in schools.
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May 12, 1957
Brief Summary of Conversation between Comrade Mao Zedong and the Delegation of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania
Comrade Mao mentioned that the communism belief closely united western and eastern countries in the socialist camp, and the Asian, African and Arab states are our allies in the war against imperialism. Comrade Rita answered Mao's questions about Albania's domestic situation, such as religion and domestic consumptions. Mao also depicted Chinese ancient tale the Monkey King to Rita, explaining the revolution situation in China.
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September 07, 1957
Transcript of Conversation between Zhou Enlai and Reverend Warren McKenna
Rev. Warren McKenna from the U.S. talks with Zhou Enlai about the goal of their visit to China, which he says is to better understand "new China". Zhou welcomes the American Youth delegation to China. Zhou agrees with McKenna that working towards world peace and better U.S.-China relations is not only dependent on efforts by professional diplomats, but also direct communication between the two countries' citizens. Members of McKenna's delegation proceed to ask Zhou Enlai questions on various topics, such as the entry of American journalists into China, strategies to improve U.S.- China relations, detained U.S. and China citizens in both countries, Tibet, etc.
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February 06, 1958
Abstract of Conversation: Premier Zhou and Ambassador Nehru
Indian Ambassador to China Nehru and Premier Zhou discuss Sino-British relations, focusing on Britain's position on Chinese representation at the United Nations. According to the Premier, Britain is acceding to American demands and allowing the United States to create 'two Chinas.'