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    "localId": "1555845",
    "label": "People's Republic of China - Premier Chou En-lai",
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    "id": "1555845",
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    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "People's Republic of China - Premier Chou En-lai",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1555845",
    "collections": [
        "Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders (Ford Administration)",
        "Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders"
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        "China"
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    "naId": 1555845,
    "coverageEndDate": {
        "logicalDate": "1976-04-30",
        "month": 4,
        "year": 1976
    },
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        "logicalDate": "1976-04-01",
        "month": 4,
        "year": 1976
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{
    "seq": 1,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "document",
    "url": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/45/5558/1555845/content/library/document/0351/1555845.pdf",
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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 4, folder \"People's Republic of China - Premier\nChou En-lai\" of the National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with\nForeign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 4 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 27, 1976\nDear Mr. Premier:\nI am pleased to introduce to you by way of this letter\nAmbassador Thomas S. Gates, Jr. the new Chief of\nour Liaison Office in the People's Republic. I have\nthe highest confidence in Ambassador Gates, who has\nbeen a personal friend and political associate of mine\nsince the period of the Second World War. I know he\nwill effectively represent the views of my Administra-\ntion, as did Ambassador David Bruce and Ambassador\nGeorge Bush before him.\nMr. Gates has rich personal experience in matters that\nare of concern to both our countries. As a former Secre-\ntary of the Navy and Secretary of Defense, he clearly\nunderstands the global security concerns we face. More-\nover, he has long been an advocate of a policy of security\nthrough a strong American defense capability.\nAs I remarked during Ambassador Gates' swearing-in\nceremony, while China and the United States have differ-\nences which neither side attempts to hide, we believe\nour common interests in resisting hegemony, and in\nenabling all peoples to follow their own unique paths of\nnational development, provide a strong foundation for a\ndurable and growing relationship. We must maintain an\nauthoritative dialogue between our two leaderships in\nthis turbulent and complex world, and grasp occasions\nfor parallel or cooperative actions which will support\nour common objectives.\nAt the same time, we understand that the opportunities\nfor such action will be enhanced as we are able to\nconsolidate our bilateral relationship. I have indicated\nGERALE\n2\non a number of occasions since returning from your\ncountry last December that I remain determined to com-\nplete the normalization of our relations through joint\nefforts based on the Shanghai Communique. This not\nonly will serve the interests of our two peoples, but also\nwill contribute to building a more secure world order.\nI hope you will share with Ambassador Gates your pers-\npectives on both international developments and our\nbilateral relationship. He is prepared to sustain our\nside of this authoritative dialogue. At the same time,\nwe welcome the return to Washington of Ambassador\nHuang Chen.\nIn closing, let me again offer you my good wishes in\nyour new post. I hope you will also convey my personal\nregards to Chairman Mao.\nSincerely,\nHerald R.\nHis Excellency\nHua Kuo-feng\nPremier of State Council\nof the People's Republic of China\nPeking\n1B\nFORD\n?\nLIBRARY\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nGERALD\nWASHINGTON\nApril 21,1976\nGeneral-\nSuggested thange at Tab I\napt 4/26/76 Art\nGeneral -\nHAK has cabled his\napproval of this ltr there\nState channels per Bud.\nLara= = 4/26/76\nTab I Fudtoo\n4.261900\nMEMORANDUM\n2308-X\nNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nACTION\nApril 20, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nFROM:\nRICHARD H. SOLOMON\nRHS\nSUBJECT:\nPresidential Letter of Introduction for Thomas\nGates to PRC Premier Hua Kuo-feng\nPer your request, I have drafted in coordination with the State Department\na Presidential letter of introduction which the new Chief of our Liaison\nOffice in Peking, Thomas S. Gates, Jr., can carry with him when he\ndeparts for Peking at the end of this month. The purpose of the letter\nwill be to serve as a vehicle for a substantive discussion with the new\nPRC Premier, with whom we have had no direct interaction.\nThe draft letter (at Tab A) has been cleared with Win Lord and the EA\nBureau. They will be sending the text of this draft, and a series of\ntalking points for Mr. Gates to use in a call on Premier Hua, to the\nSecretary for his review. Thus, you may wish to discuss the attached\ndraft with Secretary Kissinger before forwarding it to the President for\nhis signature.\nThe draft makes three points: the President expresses his personal\nsupport for Mr. Gates; he reiterates the importance of maintaining a\ndialogue between our two countries as we continue to seek ways of deal-\ning with the problem of \"hegemony\"; and he reiterates his commitment\nto complete the normalization of U.S. -PRC relations.\nThe draft letter is covered by a memorandum from you to the President.\nThe memorandum indicates that the draft reflects Secretary Kissinger's\nviews as well as your own.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you forward the memorandum at Tab I to the President.\nFUND\nGERALD ?\nTHE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN\n&\n4/27\nMEMORANDUM\n2308-X\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nACTION\nApril 26, 1976\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nB\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador\nGates to Present to the New PRC\nPremier\nYou discussed with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief Tom Gates,\nSecretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having Ambassador Gates\ncarry a letter of introduction from you to the new Chinese Premier,\nHua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an occasion for a review\nof world issues with the new Premier.\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate\nthe value to both countries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as\nwe cope with issues of common concern in the world. And you re-\naffirm your determination to complete normalization of US-PRC\nrelations. Doug Smith of Mr. Hartmann's office has approved the text.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nMEMORANDUM\n2308-X\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador Gates\nto Present to the New PRC Premier\ned\nYou will recall discussing with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief\nTom Gates, Secretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having\nAmbassador Gates carry a letter of introduction from you to the new\nChinese Premier, Hua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an a pre- occasion\ntext for a review of world issues with the new Premier, a man we have\nhad no direct exposure to (other than Mr. Nixon's very brief luation)\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate the\nvalue to both countries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as we\ncope with issues of common concern in the world. And you reaffirm\nyour determination to complete normalization of U.S. -PRC relations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nMEMORANDUM\n2308-X\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador Gates\nto Present to the New PRC Premier\nYou will recall discussing with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief\nTom Gates, Secretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having\nAmbassador Gates carry a letter of introduction from you to the new\nChinese Premier, Hua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide a pre-\ntext for a review of world issues with the new Premier, a man we have\nhad no direct exposure to (other than Mr. Nixon's very brief evaluation).\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate the\nvalue to both countries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as we\ncope with issues of common concern in the world. And you reaffirm\nyour determination to complete normalization of U.S. -PRC relations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nGERAID & FORD\nLIBRARY\n2308-X\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador\nGates to Present to the New PRC\nPremier\nYou discussed with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief Tom Gates,\nSecretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having Ambassador Gates\ncarry a letter of introduction from you to the new Chinese Premier,\nHua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an occasion for a review\nof world issues with the new Premier.\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate\nthe value to both count ries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as\nwe cope with issues of common concern in the world. And you re-\naffirm your determination to complete normalization of US-PRC\nrelations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nRewrtn: Gen S/AH/lds/4-26-76\nGERALD & ANNUOIT FORD\n2308-X\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador\nGates to Present to the New PRC\nPremier\nYou discussed with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief Tom Gates,\nSecretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having Ambassador Gates\ncarry a letter of introduction from you to the new Chinese Premier,\nHua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an occasion for a review\nof world issues with the new Premier.\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate\nthe value to both count ries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as\nwe cope with issues of common concern in the world. And you re-\naffirm your determination to complete normalization of US-PRC\nrelations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nFORD\nRewrtn: Gen S/AH/Ids/4-26-76\nsome\nGIBRARY\n2308-X\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador\nGates to Present to the New PRC\nPremier\nYou discussed with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief Tom Gates,\nSecretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having Ambassador Gates\ncarry a letter of introduction from you to the new Chinese Premier,\nHua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an occasion for a review\nof world issues with the new Premier.\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate\nthe value to both count ries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as\nwe cope with issues of common concern in the world. And you re-\naffirm your determination to complete normalization of US-PRC\nrelations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nRewrtn: Gen S/AH/lds/4-26-76\nFORD\nè\nBERALD\nLIBRARY\na\n2308-X\nACTION\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nBRENT SCOWCROFT\nSUBJECT:\nLetter of Introduction for Ambassador\nGates to Present to the New PRC\nPremier\nYou discussed with our new PRC Liaison Office Chief Tom Gates,\nSecretary Kissinger, and myself the value of having Ambassador Gates\ncarry a letter of introduction from you to the new Chinese Premier,\nHua Kuo-feng. Such a letter would provide an occasion for a review\nof world issues with the new Premier.\nThe suggested letter at Tab A makes three basic points: It expresses\nyour high personal confidence in Ambassador Gates. You reiterate\nthe value to both count ries of maintaining an authoritative dialogue as\nwe cope with issues of common concern in the world. And you re-\naffirm your determination to complete normalization of US-PRC\nrelations.\nThe draft has been coordinated with Secretary Kissinger.\nRECOMMENDATION:\nThat you sign the letter at Tab A.\nTURO\nDENALL\nLIBRARY\nRewrtn: Gen S/AH/lds/4-26-76\nDOC\nRECD\nLOG NUMBER\n1m\nMO\nDA\nMO\nOA\nHR\nINITIAL ACTION O\nNSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE\n4\n20\n4\n20\n18\n7602308x\nTO: PRES\nX\nFROM: SECSTATE\nS/S\nUNCLAS LOG IN/ OUT\nSCOWCROFT\nSECDEF\nLOU\nNO FORN\nNODIS\nHYLAND\nDCI\nX REF\nC\nEYES ONLY\nEXDIS\nDAVIS\nS\nCODEWORD\nSOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION\nSTATE OTHER EXSEC solomen\nTS\nSENSITIVE\nSUBJECT: Pres lt of introduction to PRC Premier\nHUA KUO Feng for Thomas gutes - LA\nINTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION\nREC\nACTION REQUIRED\nACTION\nCONCUR-\nCOOR-\nINFO\nCY\nRENCE\nDINATE\nFOR\nADV CYS S'CROFT / WGH\nMEMO FOR SCOWCROFT\nSTAFF SECRETARY\nMEMO FOR PRES\nCONGRESSIONAL\nREPLY FOR\nECONOMIC\nDISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT\nAPPROPRIATE ACTION\nEUR/ CANAOA/ OCEANS\nMEMO\nTO\nFAR EAST/ PRC\nRECOMMENDATIONS\nINTELLIGENCE\nJOINT MEMO\nLATIN AMERICA\nREFER TO\nFOR\nMID EAST/ NO. AFRICA\nANY ACTION NECESSARY?\nNSC PLANNING\nCONCURRENCE\nPROGRAM ANALYSIS\nDUE DATE:\nSCIENTIFIC\nCOMMENTS: (INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)\nSUB-SAH/ AFRICA , UN\nDATE\nFROM\nTO\nSTATUS\nSUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKEN):\nDUE\nCY TO\n4/20\nScript\nX\n4-26\nPres\nfor to sfar lt\nsqualtriti Kinfeng\nSUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS\n4-27\nNSC/S\nltr to Kew for\nDISPATCH\nNOTIFY\nMICROFILM & FILE RQMTS\nNSC/S DISP INSTR\nM/ D\nBY\nSPECIAL DISPOSITION\nIF\nCRT ID:\nNS\nDY\nSPECIAL INDEXING:\nOPEN\nWH SA FP\nCLOSE\nPA\nSUSPENSE CY ATTACHED\nNSC 76-21\nU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599-022 - 1976\n599-022"
}