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Press Conference of Representatives Hale Boggs and Gerald Ford re China Trip, July 8, 1972
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Press Conference of Representatives Hale Boggs and Gerald Ford re China Trip, July 8, 1972
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The original documents are located in Box D33, folder "Press Conference of
Representatives Hale Boggs and Gerald Ford re China Trip, July 8, 1972" of the Ford
Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
PRESS CONFERENCE, SAT., JULY 8, 1972
REPS. HALE BOEGS w GERALD FORD
Mr. Boggs:
Mr. Ford and I are very happy indeed to be back.
M We Office have made Copy
available to each of you a very brief statement, telling of the places
we visited in the Peoples Republic of China. They are spelled out, but
Shanghai, Peking, Shen Yang, Anshan and Canton. They took us from the
coast of China at Shanghai to the North Central part of China at Peking
and to the northeastern part of China, where no official Americans have
been in 23 years. Finally down to Canton and by rail back into Hong Kong.
We have had a most interesting and informative trip and one that I consider
most encouraging for the future of the rest of mankind. I yield to Mr. Ford
and then simply open the rest of the press conference to questions.
Ford: Let me reiterete what Congressman Boggs has said. There are two
things I think we ought to set forth before we get into the question and
answer period. Immediately on our return at Andrews Air Force Base, we
called the President and had a 30-minute conversation with him. We were
advised in Peking after our conference with Cho Lai that there had to
be confidentiality concerning the lengthy discussions we had with him.
Other than that I think we are ready, willing and able to answer any questions
concerning a very fascinating, a very interesting, and I think very helpful
10-day trip to China itself.
Q. Mr. Ford, Do you feel that, without breaking the confidentiality,
that there is any indication that the reports coming out of London during
the past week that China and Russia are putting pressure on North Vietnam
to end the Vietnam conflict?
R
A. We had no indication of any outside pressue. The Chinese made
statements comparable to this, and this comment was made by high officials
(not Chou En-Lai, I might add) that the North Vietnamese are their friends.
They naturally support the North Vietnamese, They believe the solution to
the problem in Vietnam, between the United States and the North Vietnamese,
is one that we must settle at the negotiating table.
Digitized from Box D33 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
-2-
Q. The Administration yesterday grantedam an export license to the Boeing Co.
for the sale of 707 jets (to China). Is this any indication
(inaudible).
(Boggs)
A.
We had a great many conversations, and in depth, with officials of
the Peoples Republic of China with respect to trade between the United
States and China. It is our impression that in the area of high
technology such as jet aircraft, computers, advanced medical instruments
and the whole realm of advanced chemistry in the United States, the Chinese
are very much interested. And the question of day-to-day trade such as we
carry on normally with the other nations, Europe or Canada, China hopes to
be self sufficient. It's a very large nation that's bigger than the United
States. It has vast natural resources, and I would not anticipate any
tremendous increase of normal trade. On the other hand I do believe that
the Boeing 707 sale is a pretty good indication of the type of trade that
we may anticipate in the reasonably near future.
Q.
Gentlemen, you say in your report that you have a number of
recommendations to make to the President. Could you share any of those
recommendations with us today?
(Ford)
A.
Well, I would indicate that Mr. Boggs and I certainly feel that in
the field of medicine there is a great opportunity for we in the United
States to benefit from the phenominal things that they do with acupuncture.
On the other hand the Chinese are very, very interested in some of our
medical advancements. And, therefore I think that we should send to China
the benefitsof our research in cancer, heart and stroke. This is an area
which would be highly beneficial to both parties.
(Boggs)
A. I would add to that more general recommendations XHMMXXX And these
come after certainly a brief visit, one who goes to any land and spends a
-3-
few days there and returns as an expert is more of a jackass than an expert.
But one on the other hand must necessarily form certain conclusions. We were
very intensely briefed. We saw a great deal of China physically. We saw
many of its institutions, from its child care centers of kindergarten through
middle schools and the universities. We visited the communes, both the
agricultural communes and the workers communes. We visited industry, both
heavy industry and light industry, neighborhood industry. And we talkeed
to a great many Chinese. It is my impression that the Chinese certainly now
are concerned with their internal problems. They are not interested in
external aggression. They are very much interested in normalizing relations
with the United States. Which, of course, means the recognition of the
two governments, the exchange of ambassadors, the relatively free movement
of science and business people, and so on.
Q. Mr. Boggs, it seems that Europe is not the "in" place any more, as
congressmen and other
quoted by
government officals, and China is. Do you think
there will be more congressmen going to China?
(Boggs)
Well, I would say that was a rather broad generalization inview of
the fact that out of 535 congressmen four of them have been there.
question asked
(Boggs)
The point you make is well taken. I think that a vast number of our
colleagues will try to go to China. And Mr. Ford and I were both asked by
many of our colleagues if we could assist in that direction. And we
discussed this with Premier Chou En-Lai in some detail. He indicated that
he would like to have members of Congress visit China in relatively small
groups and in a bipartisan fashion such as the two previous groups.
-4-
Congressman Boggs and Congressman Ford in your statement you called
relations with China.
on both parties to promote the normalization of
.
What are you asking
your respective parties to do?
(Ford)
Of course I haven't seen what the Republican Platform preliminary
drafts are at the present time. But I do assure you, based on conversations
with Congressman John Rhodes, that our party platform will strongly praise
the efforts of the President in opening the door and will also
indicate that the normalization of relations should
expand in many, many fields. This is a bipartisan effort as indicated by
the visit of the two senators and Mr. Boggs and myself. I can't predict
the language of the Democratic Platform in this regard, but I suspect it
will be one also of favorable comment because this is in the best interest
of the United States, not in any one political party.
(Boggs)
I might add to that that I have been informed that the Democratic
Platform specifically calls for the normalization of relations with the
Peoples Republic of China.
(Ford)
One of the questions that Mr. Boggs and I raised specifically was the
Chiao Kuan-hua
vice-chairman of Foreign Affairs, Mr. was the situation
regarding the American prisoners. The response was that KMMX Mr. Downey the
civilian and the two military personnel, Smith and Quinn, was being noted, and
the question was asked, were there any other American NMX prisoners held.
, to his 'knowledge,
either from the Korean War or the Vietnam War, and the response was
no. I think this *** is very important from the point of view of many инкиниих
wives, mothers and fathers who have been concerned over the years about people
assured
missing in action from both engagements. And we were there were none
other than those who were known by name.
-5-
Congressman Boggs, what's your reaction to what your party has
done in the way of party reform, specifically the platform
(Boggs)
A.
I'm not really competent to answer the question. I've been away
from the country for two weeks, and developments have been very rapid, and
there is one thing you will find out very 4MM quickly in the Peoples Republic
of China and that is that you don't get very much news from other parts of
the world. So unfortunately I'm really not computent to answer your question.
(Ford)
A.
Let me add in a light way if I might. We saw no evidence obviously
any
of
MX elections in the Peoples Republic of China, and therefore there was no
need or necessity for
MMXX any campaign or election reform legislation.
of
Q.
Did you talk about normalization/relations and exchange of
Could you give us anything more on that.
Did you discuss this
in any detail in terms of relations with Taiwan?
(Boggs)
A. No we didn't because
well I have to go back, there were discussions
of Taiwan. Most of those discussions as well as more specific discussions
with respect to Vietnam and other areas
were off the
record.
he would
You said that Chou En-Lai indicated welcome visits from other
congressmen.
Did
he indicate what
other classifications of Americans
would be
welcome?
(Boggs)
A. Yes, quite definitely. He mentioned journalists and as a matter of
fact I would say K that more journalists have visited the Peoples Republic
of China than any single group of Americans up to now. There were a number
of others as well. He mentioned educators. There were several educators there.
Mr. Fairbank of Harvard was there.
-6-
groups
He
mentioned
educators
He mentioned most specifically, and
several times, American medical teams with special reference to those who
were knowledgeable in cancer, heart disease and strokes.
Q.
What was the President's reaction to your report.
(Ford)
A
Well, he kept us on the line for about a half hour. We started out
basedon
with a summary of our views then he pursued many many questions
the
introduction that we Kg gave to him. He pursued certain matters that were
unfortunately embargoed because of the wish of Premier Chou En-Lai. We had
a ***** report this morning from San amente that the President was very
pleased with the report and is looking forward to having a report in person
as soon as he gets back and as soon as Congress resumes. And we have
promised not only to meet with him in person but to submit to him a written
report for his information.
in
china.
Mr. Ford, you talked about no need for electoral reform Did
Premier Chou show any knowledge or interest in the electoral process in the
United States?
(Ford)
A
I don't think we should reveal that kind of information as to the
talks we had with him. I would add this, however, (and this is not in
reference to our conversations with Premier Chou), mong high Chinese
officials there was a great deal I of interest shown and many questions
asked about the sufficiency of our military capability and what the direction
might be in the future as to our Defense Department and its funding and its
programming.
(Boggs)
A.
I would like to get back to that question and say that while it seemed
to be studiously non partisan there was at all levels a tremendous amount of
-7-
interest in the electoral process in the United States. One piece of
news that did come through (as a matter of fact, I picked it up on the
Voice
of America) was the action * of the Democratic
Credentials Committee with respect to the California delegation. And
many people asked me to explain that to them. They wanted to know the
whole process. The Credentials Committee, what its function was, how it
is set up, how delegates were selected, why were they pledged, why weren't
they pledged, where the convention was, what the function of the convention
was.
In
other **** words it was almost like a very intelligent high school
youngster in a civics class. I'm talking now about interpreters and people
that we talked to generally. And I would also like to give a general feeling
that I had and I think that Mr. Ford shared, and X that is that uniformly
we found a tremendous amount of interest in the United States. I was unable
to find any hostility and the traditional Chinese reputation for friendliness
and hospitality was exceeded.
(Ford)
A. We were empecially warmly welcomed, as Mr. Boggs indicated, when we
were in Shen Yong and Anshan which is in the northeastern part of China.
No American official had visited that part of China for 20 some years. We
were
welcomed
in
the
traditional Chinese fashion, not only by a
a handwave but applause by people on the street. We went into a typical
EXM Chinese department store and somehow the rumor got out that we were
there. By the time that we came out the street was lined on both sides.
I couldn't guess how many people were there but there were at least three because or
four thousand, in my judgment. It was really a heartwarming experience
This
was spontaneous on their part.
Congressman Ford, did I understand you to say that when you were
by
under Republican and Democratic administrations?
asked
Chinese leaders about military spending
in this country
(Ford)
A. It was not put on the basis of Democratic or Republican policy. The
-8-
question was were we going to reduce our military strength in light of this
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Were we going to withdraw from various
parts
of the world
They were intens
interested in what our role would be diplomatically, militarily in the world
as a whole and the specifics of what our plans might be in @ilitary programs
and funding.
Q.
What did you tell them?
(Ford)
A.
I referred to a vote that we had heard that was taken in the House
of Representatives while we were in China. M The House of Representatives,
as we understood it from the news reports, passed the military procurement
authorization bill overwhelmingly, defeated any efforts to reduce the
recommendations of the Committee on Armed Services. We indicated to them
that this was a traditional position of strength in the House of
Representatives on a bipartisan basis and we thought this would be the
eventual final conclusion of the Congress in 1972.
Congressman Ford , do you think that based on
the President's
foreign policy record that the Republicans will MMMX defeat the Democratic
candidate in November?
(Ford)
I think in this press conference it is better if we keep on the policy ...th,
XM the press conference/related coverage to our trip.
Q. Congressman, in reference to your question the answer before that, it
strikes me that this is an obvious reference to the United States attitude
toward the Soviet Union. Are these questions about our military function, etc,
made in reference to their worry about our backing down in terms of maintaining
a position of strength XXXXXXXXXX regarding the Soviet Union?
-9-
(Boggs)
A.
I think we would be totally less than frank with you if we did not
indicate that the impression that has been widespread in the West for
several years now about the tension between the Soviet Union and the
Peoples Republic of China is accurate. It's wuite accurate. And following
through on Mr. Ford's observations we were advised by high officials that
the policy of *MMIK/government that is disarmament but not unilateral disarmament.
And there was specific concern expressed , rather emphatically, with regard
to the possibility of continued Soviet armament and American disarmament.
Q. Sir, could you put it in another way and say that they were urging
you got the impression that
the United States to keep their defenses up?
(Boggs)
A.
I could put it this way ****** that in the present world while they
are much concerned over the resolution of the ***** Vietnamese
question and the whole question of Indochina, Southeast Asia, they, in my
judgment would be terribly concerned if the United States deciden)xxx reverted
to a policy of isolationism.
KMEXMM (Ford)
A.
Let me reiterate and reemphasize strongly what Mr. Boggs has said.
They don't want the United States WX to withdraw from the Pacific or from
the world at any point . They believe our presence is important for the
stability of the world now and in the future. A militarily-weak United
States, at least I got the impression, would create instability rather than
stability in the resolution of the many, many problems that all nations face
today.
(Boggs)
This is XM a very large country with a great many people, over
it's still
800 million. Agriculture, while it has improved immensely, Mas by Western
standards is primitive. Their industry still must be developed. What I
-10-
am saying to you, they said to us time and time again, they said we have
made progress , but much more remains to be done and we are a developing
country and to develop we must have the time and effort and energy devoted
internally and not externally.
Q.
They feel, Sir, that a withdrawal of the United States might encourage
the Soviet Union to move into the vaccuum thus created/causing thereby problems for
them?
(Ford)
A.
I wouldn't say they put it as bluntly as you have said. THX They're
concerned about nations such as ourselves participating in a stable Pacific
and that the United States withdrawal would create the instability. I wouldn't
want to go any further than that in explaining the context MX in which we
discussed it.
Q.
Would you comment a wit on what you judge to be their relations with
the Soviet Union and whatever their fears might be?
(Boggs)
A.
I think we've already covered it.
In regard to the stability of the Pacific, did Japan come up in that
respect?
(Ford)
A.
They talked about the major powers that all had an interest in the
Pacifid.
(Boggs)
A.
I would say that in answer XM to that question that there's XXXXXXXX
an equal interest again YX for the normalization of relations with Japan.
-11-
Equal to what?
EMMMXXXM Interest in normalization of relations
with
the United States.
(Boggs)
Check.
Q. They speak of normalization of relations with the Japane se?
(Boggs)
A. Oh, yes. A great deal.
(Ford)
A. One of the very broad things that I was impressed with and I'm sure
because
Mr. Boggs was XXIX we talked about it in length. You come away from China
with an impression of total discipline and dedication, Starting at a very
early age, Redication to their system, X dedication to their objectives,
They are really convinced that if they all have *MMX this dedication and
this discipline that their society , industrially, economically, educationally,
nas and otherwise will make great strides forward in the next two decades
And this has some important implications-from our point of view. We have
to recognize that MIK although *****X they're possibly behind INC in certain
areas, technically and some other areas, we have to recognize that this kind
of discipline and this kind of dedication for our children and our children's
children is a matter of deep concern.
Q. Mr. Ford, you mentioned at the outset that they said they were
supporting, naturally, the North Vietnamese. Subsequently, you and
Congressman Boggs spoke of their belief that the United States should stay
in the KM Pacific. Are they separating these two and saying that the
United States should get out of Indochina but stay in Thailand and Okinawa
and places like that?
-12-
(Mr. Boggs)
A. That's a very difficult question to answer or even to speculate X on,
and I wouldn't even try to. My impression of that is as they put it, and
this is no secret. There are two super powers, The the United States and
Russia. And if Russia becomes a greater super power ХИМИ then much of the
world could well be in difficult Where that means people
may be located physically or what kind of weapons are required is some-
thing else. And I am totally, completely unknowledgeable on that subject.
Q. Did they express any interest in joining the disarmament talks,
either SALT or the ones in Geneva?
(Ford)
A. No. But they did say and they did repeat that they are for total
disarmament on the broadest most comprehensive way or comprehensive sense.
pleased
They are not or they are not impressed say with the two super
powers coming ******* to such an agreement. They have saidXXXXXXXXXX I think
historically, that they want disarmament period. And they reiterated that to
us on several occasions.
Q. Did they mention the Chinese or the French nuclear tests?
(Ford)
A. No.
Q. Did they talk about their own nuclear proposal which is to destroy
all nuclear weapons?
(Boggs)
Not a
A. new proposal, we made it back in the days% of Bernard Baruch
in 1946.
-13-
(Ford)
A. They did say that under no circumstances would their development
(and this has been said many times) that they would never use it on a
first-strike basis.
Q. question muffled
(Ford)
A.
No, they did not.
Q. Anything about the ships,
the ships was shelled
as a result of lighters
bringing supplies to XXXXXXX North Vietnam ?
.
about disarmament,
Q.
In answer to your previous question/they showed skepticism about
the Moscow agreement on nuclear restraint, the ABM and the technical
agreement.
(Boggs)
A. I wouldn't say that they showed skepticism. They, in answer to a
specific question, they approved. But as for general disarmament without
the participation of all nations of the world they **** showed considerable
XXX
skepticism.
(Ford)
A. They just think it should be on a broad, broad basis, including
all weapons . Not only are they against further development, they're
for the destruction of many of the weapons that XXXXXXXXXXX are already in
being and deployed.
Q. Congressman, could you
us on the basis of your
conversation with XMXXX the leaders in Peking and Taiwan
in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
-14-
the United States and the satisfied, mainland, Or do you believe now that this
problem can be
or even in the absense of an ultimate
that
resolution of the problems of Taiwan and diplomatic relations between
Washington and Peking could be established ?
(Boggs)
A. Well I have two impressions. The first is that this is indeed one
of the top Xd difficultmes with respect to normatization of relations
between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China. The second
is it is their feeling as I understood that this is a matter that can be
worked out between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan.
Q. How?
(Ford)
A. But they did not trust us in trying to give an answer or a key to
this current difficulty for the total normalization of our relations with
the Peoples Republic of China.
(Boggs)
A. Correct. They did not trust.
Q Congressman Ford, did you see any possibility of
armed
eenfliet
between Communist China and the Soviet Union?
(Ford)
in
A. We did not engage in any discussions that kind of detail. We
recognize they have differences they indicated, which is a fact that they
have differences, but as to the imminence or the possibility, *MMX there
was no discussion.
-15-
(Boggs)
A. Well, as a matter of fact, the deputy foreign minister% said that
the discussions were by word of mouth and by writings. I certainly have
heard little any indications of any armed conflict.
Q. Congressman Boggs, may I pose a political question to you since you
are ************ one of your Party's leaders.
(Boggs)
A.A. You mean a Chinese political question.
Q. No sir, its about
(Boggs)
A. Well I would be glad to hold a press conference about that but not
at this OTHERXX time.
Newsman: Thank you, sir.
######
IRESS CONFERENCE SAT, , JULY 8, 1972
REPS, HALE BOGGS E, GERALD FORD
Mr. Boggs:
Mr. Ford and I are very happy indeed to be back. We
Office have made Copy
available to each of you a very brief statement, telling of the places
we visited in the Peoples Republic of China. They are spelled out, but
Shanghai, Peking, Shen Yang, Anshan and Canton. They took us from the
coast of China at Shanghai to the North Central part of China at Peking
and to the northeastern part of China, where no official Americans have
been in 23 years. Finally down to Canton and by rail back into Hong Kong.
We have had a most interesting and informative trip and one that I consider
most encouraging for the future of the rest of mankind. I yield to Mr. Ford
and then simply open the rest of the press conference to questions.
Ford: Let me reiterate what Congressman Boggs has said. There are two
things I think we ought to set forth before we get into the question and
answer period. Immediately on our return at Andrews Air Force Base, we
called the President and had a 30-minute conversation with him. We were
advised in Peking after our conference with Cho® En-Lai that there had to
be confidentiality concerning the lengthy discussions we had with him.
Other than that I think we are ready, willing and able to answer any questions
concerning a very fascinating, a very interesting, and I think very helpful
10-day trip to China itself.
Q. Mr. Ford, Do you feel that, without breaking the confidentiality,
that there is any indication that the reports coming out of London during
the past week that China and Russia are putting pressure on North Vietnam
to end the Vietnam conflict?
R
A. We had no indication of any outside pressue. The Chinese made
statements comparable to this, and this comment was made by high officials
(not Chou En-Lai, I might add) that the North Vietnamese are their friends.
They naturally support the North Vietnamese, They believe the solution to
the problem in Vietnam, between the United States and the North Vietnamese,
is one that we must settle at the negotiating table.
BERALD FORD (IBRNA)
-2-
Q. The Administration yesterday grantedam an export license to the Boeing Co.
for the sale of 707 jets (to China). Is this any indication
(inaudible).
(Boggs)
A.
We had a great many conversations, and in depth, with officials of
the Peoples Republic of China with respect to trade between the United
States and China. It is our impression that in the area of high
technology such as jet aircraft, computers, advanced medical instruments
and the whole realm of advanced chemistry in the United States, the Chinese
are very much interested. And the question of day-to-day trade such as we
carry on normally with the other nations, Europe or Canada, China hopes to
be self sufficient. It's a very large nation that's bigger than the United
States. It has vast natural resources, and I would not anticipate any
tremendous increase of normal trade. On the other hand I do believe that
the Boeing 707 sale is a pretty good indication of the type of trade that
we may anticipate in the reasonably near future.
Q.
Gentlemen, you say in your report that you have a number of
recommendations to make to the President. Could you share any of those
recommendations with us today?
(Ford)
A. Well, I would indicate that Mr. Boggs and I certainly feel that in
the field of medicine there is a great opportunity for we in the United
States to benefit from the phenominal things **** they do with acupuncture.
On the other hand the Chinese are very, very interested in some of our
medical advancements. And, therefore I think that we should send to China
the benefitsof our research in cancer, heart and stroke. This is an area
which would be highly beneficial to both parties.
(Boggs)
A.
I would add to that more general recommendations ******* And these
come after certainly a brief visit, one who goes to any land and spends a
-3-
few days there and returns as an expert is more of a jackass than an expert.
But one on the other hand must necessarily form certain conclusions. We were
very intensely briefed. We saw a great deal of China physically. We saw
many of its institutions, from its child care centers of kindergarten through
middle schools and the universities. We visited the communes, both the
agricultural communes and the workers communes. We visited industry, both
heavy industry and light industry, neighborhood industry. And we talkeed
to a great many Chinese. It is my impression that the Chinese certainly now
are concerned with their internal problems. They are not interested in
external aggression. They are very much interested in normalizing relations
with the United States. Which, of course, means the recognition of the
two governments, the exchange of ambassadors, the relatively free movement
of science and business people, and so on.
Q. Mr. Boggs, it seems that Europe is not the "in" place any more, as
congre and other
quoted by
government officals, and China is. Do you think
there will be more congressmen going to China?
(Boggs)
Well, I would say that was a rather broad generalization invview of
the fact that out of 535 congressmen four of them have been there.
question asked
(Boggs)
The point you make is well taken. I think that a vast number of our
colleagues will try to go to China. And Mr. Ford and I were both asked by
many of our colleagues if we could assist in that direction. And we
discussed this with Premier Chou En-Lai in some detail. He indicated that
he would like to have members of Congress visit China in relatively small
groups and in a bipartisan fashion such as the two previous groups.
FORD in LIBRARY GERALD
-4-
Congressman Boggs and Congressman Ford in your statement you called
relations with China.
on both parties to promote the normalization of . What are you asking
your respective parties to do?
(Ford)
Of course I haven't seen what the Republican Platform preliminary
drafts are at the present time. But I do assure you, based on conversations
with Congressman John Rhodes, that our party platform will strongly praise
the efforts of the President in opening the door and will also
indicate that the normalization of relations should
expand in many, many fields. This is a bipartisan effort as indicated by
the visit of the two senators and Mr. Boggs and myself. I can't predict
the language of the Democratic Platform in this regard, but I suspect it
will be one also of favorable comment because this is in the best interest
of the United States, not in any one political party.
(Boggs)
I might add to that that I have been informed that the Democratic
Platform specifically calls for the normalization of relations with the
Peoples Republic of China.
(Ford)
One of the questions that Mr. Boggs and I raised specifically was the
Chiao Kusn-hua
vice-chairman of Foreign Affairs, Mr. was the situation
regarding the American prisoners. The response was that KNMX Mr. Downey the
civilian and the two military personnel, Smith and Quinn, was being noted, and
the question was asked, were there any other American pex prisoners held,
, to his knowledge,
either from the Korean War or the Vietnam War, and the response was of
no. I think this *** is very important from the point of view of many КИМИНИИХ
wives, mothers and fathers who have been concerned over the years about people
assured
missing in action from both engagements. And we were there were none
other than those who were known by name.
-5-
Q.
Congressman Boggs, what's your reaction to what your party has
done in the way of party reform, specifically the platform
(Boggs)
A. I'm not really competent to answer the question. I've been away
from the country for two weeks, and developments have been very rapid, and
there is one thing you will find out very MMM quickly in the Peoples Republic
of China and that is that you don't get very much news from other parts of
the world. So unfortunately I'm really not computent to answer your question.
(Ford)
A.
Let me add in a light way if I might. We saw no evidence obviously
any
of KX elections in the Peoples Republic of China, and therefore there was no
need or necessity for MMXX any campaign or election reform legislation.
of
Q.
Did you talk about normalization/relations and exchange of
Could you give us anything more on that. Did you discuss this
in any detail in terms of relations with Taiwan?
(Boggs)
A. No we didn't because
well I have to go back, there were discussions
of Taiwan. Most of those discussions as well as more specific discussions
with respect to Vietnam and other areas
were off the
record.
he would
Q. You said that Chou En-Lai indicated welcome visits from other
congressmen. Did-he-indicate-what- other classifications of Americans would be
welcome?
(Boggs)
A. Yes, quite definitely. He mentioned journalists and as a matter of
fact I would say X that more journalists have visited the Peoples Republi
FORD LIBRARY j GERALD
of China than any single group of Americans up to now. There were a number
of others as well. He mentioned edicators. There were several educators there.
Mr. Fairbank of Harvard was there.
-6-
groups He mentioned educatore And there
He mentioned most specifically, and
several times, American medical teams with special reference to those who
were knowledgeable in cancer, heart disease and strokes.
Q.
What was the President's reaction to your report.
(Ford)
A Well, he kept us on the line for about a half hour. We started based out
with a summary of our views then he pursued many many questions on the
introduction that we Kg gave to him. He pursued certain matters that were
unfortunately embargoed because of the wish of Premier Chou En-Lai. We had
a ***** report this morning from San C1 amente that the President was very
pleased with the report and is looking forward to having a report in person
as soon as he gets back and as soon as Congress resumes. And we have
promised not only to meet with him in person but to submit to him a written
report for his information.
inchina.
Mr. Ford, you talked about no need for electoral reform, Did
Premier Chou show any knowledge or interest in the electoral process in the
United States?
(Ford)
A. I don't think we should reveal that kind of information as to the
talks we had with him. I would add this, however, (and this is not in
reference to our conversations with Premier Chou) A mong high Chinese
officials there was a great deal I of interest shown and many questions
asked about the sufficiency of our military capability and what the direction
might be in the future as to our Defense Department and its funding and its
programming.
(Boggs)
FORD A LIBRARY 07VU39
A.
I would like to get back to that question and say that while it seemed
to be studiously non partisan there was at all levels a tremendous amount of
-7-
interest in the electoral process in the United States. One piece of
news that did come through (as a matter of fact, I picked it up on the
Voice
of America) was the action * of the Democratic
Credentials Committee with respect to the California delegation. And
many people asked me to explain that to them. They wanted to know the
whole process. The Credentials Committee, what its function was, how it
is set up, how delegates were selected, why were they pledged, why weren't
they pledged, where the convention was, what the function of the convention
was. In other **** words it was almost like a very intelligent high school
youngster in a civics class. I'm talking now about interpreters and people
that we talked to generally. And I would also like to give a general feeling
that I had and I think that Mr. Ford shared, and X that is that uniformly
we found a tremendous amount of interest in the United States. I was unable
to find any hostility and the traditional Chinese reputation for friendliness
and hospitality was exceeded.
(Ford)
A. We were empecially warmly welcomed, as Mr. Boggs indicated, when we
were in Shen Yong and Anshan which is in the northeastern part of China.
No American official had visited that part of China for 20 some years. We
were welcomed in the ********** traditional Chinese fashion, not only by a
a handwave but applause by people on the street. We went into a typical
EXM Chinese department store and somehow the rumor got out that we were
there. By the time that we came out the street was lined on both sides.
I couldn't guess how many people were there but there were at least three because or
four thousand, in my judgment. It was really a heartwarming experience This
was spontaneous on their part.
Congressman Ford, did I understand you to say that when you were
by
under Republican and Democratic administrations?
asked
Chinese
leaders
about
military
spending
in this country
(Ford)
A. It was not put on the basis of Democratic or Republican policy. The
-8-
question was were we going to reduce our military strength in light of this
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Were we going to withdraw from various
parts
of the world
They were intens
interested in what our role would be diplomatically, militarily in the world
as a whole and the specifics of what our plans might be in @ilitary programs
and funding.
Q.
What did you tell them?
(Ford)
A.
I referred to a vote that we had heard that was taken in the House
of Representatives while we were in China. K The House of Representatives,
as we understood it from the news reports, passed the military procurement
authorization bill overwhelmingly, defeated any efforts to reduce the
recommendations of the Committee on Armed Services. We indicated to them
that this was a traditional position of strength in the House of
Representatives on a bipartisan basis and we thought this would be the
eventual final conclusion of the Congress in 1972.
Q. Congressman Ford , do you think that
based on
the President's
foreign policy record that the Republicans will MMMX defeat the Democratic
candidate in November?
(Ford)
I think in this press conference it is better if we keep on the policy
XR the press conference/related coverage to our trip.
Q. Congressman, in reference to your question the answer before that, it
strikes me that this is an obvious reference to the United States attitude
toward the Soviet Union. Are these questions about our military function, etc,
made in reference to their worry about our backing down in terms of maintaining
a position of strength MMXXMXXXXX regarding the Soviet Union?
-9-
(Boggs)
A.
I think we would be totally less than frank with you if we did not
indicate that the impression that has been widespread in the West for
several years now about the tension between the Soviet Union and the
Peoples Republic of China is accurate. It's quite accurate. And following
through on Mr. Ford's observations we were advised by high officials that
the policy of KNMXK/government that is disarmament but not unilateral disarmament.
And there was specific concern expressed , rather emphatically, with regard
to the possibility of continued Soviet armament and American disarmament.
Q. Sir, could you put it in another way and say that/they were urging
you got the impression that
the United States to keep their defenses up?
(Boggs)
A.
I could put it this way *MM*** that in the present world while they
are much concerned over the XXXXXXXXXM resolution of the ***** Vietnamese
question and the whole question of Indochina, Southeast Asia, they, in my
judgment would be terribly concerned if the United States decidenxxxx reverted
to a policy of isolationism.
KMXXMM (Ford)
A. Let me reiterate and reemphasize strongly what Mr. Boggs has said.
They don't want the United States WX to withdraw from the Pacific or from
the world at any point They believe our presence is important for the
stability of the world now and in the future. A militarily-weak United
States, at least I got the impression, would create instability rather than
stability in the resolution of the many, many problems that all nations face
today.
(Boggs)
A. This is XM a very large country with a great many people, over
it's still
800 million. Agriculture, while it has improved immensely, Mas by Western
standards is primitive. Their industry still must be developed. What I
-10-
am saying to you, they said to us time and time again, they said we have
made progress , but much more remains to be done. and we are a developing
country and to develop we must have the time and effort and energy devoted
internally and not externally.
Q.
They feel, Sir, that a withdrawal of the United States might encourage
the Soviet Union to move into the vaccuum thus created/causing thereby problems for
them?
(Ford)
A.
I wouldn't say they put it as bluntly as you have said. Tax They're
concerned about nations such as ourselves participating in a stable Pacific
and that the United States withdrawal would create the instability. I wouldn't
want to go any further than that in explaining the context XX in which we
discussed it.
Q.
Would you comment a bit on what you judge to be their relations with
the Soviet Union and whatever their fears might be?
(Boggs)
A.
I think we've already covered it.
In regard to the stability of the Pacific, did Japan come up in that
respect?
(Ford)
A.
They talked about the major powers that all had an interest in the
Pacifid.
(Boggs)
A. I would say that in answer XM to that question that there's
an equal interest again ** for the normalization of relations with Japan.
-11-
Equal to what? EMMMXXXM Interest in normalization of relations
the United States.
(Boggs)
Check.
Q. They speak of normalization of relations with the Japane se?
(Boggs)
A. Oh, yes. A great deal.
(Ford)
A. One of the very broad things that I was impressed with and I'm sure
because
Mr. Boggs was xxx1 we talked about it in length. You come away from China
with an impression of total discipline and dedication, Starting at a very
early age, Redication to their system, I dedication to their objectivesx.
They are really convinced that if they all have **** this dedication and
this discipline that their society , industrially, economically, educationally,
naa and otherwise will make great strides forward in the next two decades
And this has some important implications-from our point of view. We have
to recognize that MIX although *****X they're possibly behind *** in certain
areas, technically and some other areas, we have to recognize that this kind
of discipline and this kind of dedication for our children and our children's
children is a matter of deep concern.
Q. Mr. Ford, you mentioned at the outset that they said they were
supporting, naturally, the North Vietnamese. Subcequently, you and
Congressman Boggs spoke of their belief that the United States should stay
in the pa Pacific. Are they separating these two and saying that the
United States should get out of Indochina but stay in Thailand and Okinawa
and places like that?
GERALD FORD LIBRAR
-12-
(Mr. Boggs)
A. That's a very difficult question to answer or even to speculate X on,
and I wouldn't even try to. My impression of that is as they put it, and
this is no secret. There are two super powers, The the United States and
Russia. And if Russia becomes a greater super power **** then much of the
world could well be in difficult ty Where that means people
икиха/Беу located physically or what kind of weapons are required is some-
thing else. And I am totally, completely unknowledgeable on that subject.
Q. Did they express any interest in joining the disarmament talks,
either SALT or the ones in Geneva?
(Ford)
A. No. But they did say and they did repeat that they are for total
disarmament on the broadest most comprehensive way or comprehensive sense.
pleased
They are not or they are not impressed say with the two super
powers coming ******* to such an agreement. They have saidXXXXXXXXXX I think
historically, that they want disarmament period. And they reiterated that to
us on several occasions.
Q. Did they mention the Chinese or the French nuclear tests?
(Ford)
A. No.
Q. Did they talk about their own nuclear proposal which is to destroy
all nuclear weapons?
(Boggs)
Not a
A. new proposal, we made it back in the daysM of Bernard Baruch
in 1946.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-13-
(Ford)
A. They did say that under no circumstances would their development
(and this has been said many times) that they would never use it on a
first-strike basis.
Q. question muffled
(Ford)
A. No, they did not.
Q. Anything about the ships,
the ships was shelled
as a result of lighters
bringing supplies to XXXXXXX North Vietnam ?
.
about disarmament,
Q. In answer to your previous question/they showed skepticism about
the Moscow agreement on nuclear restraint, the ABM and the technical
agreement.
(Boggs)
A. I wouldn't say that they showed skepticism. They, in answer to a
specific question, they approved. But as for general disarmament without
the participation of all nations of the world they **** showed considerable
XXX skepticism.
(Ford)
A. They just think it should be on a broad, broad basis, including
all weapons . Not only are they against further development, they're
for the destruction of many of the weapons that are already in
being and deployed.
Q. Congressman, could you
#
us on the basis of your
conversation with XXXXX the leaders in Peking and Taiwan
GERALD FORD
in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
-14-
the United States and the satisfied, mainland. Or do you believe now that this
problem can be
or even in the absense of an ultimate
that
resolution of the problems of Taiwan diplomatic relations between
Washington and Peking could be established ?
(Boggs)
A. Well I have two impressions. The first is that this is indeed one
of the top II difficultmes with respect to normatization of relations
between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China. The second
is it is their feeling as I understood that this is a matter that can be
worked out between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan.
Q. How?
(Ford)
A. But they did not trust us in trying to give an answer or a key to
this current difficulty for the total normalization of our relations with
the Peoples Republic of China.
(Boggs)
A. Correct. They did not trust.
Q Congressman Ford, did you see any possibility of
armed
eenflict
between Communist China and the Soviet Union?
(Ford)
in
A. We did not engage in any discussions that kind of detail. We
recognize they have differences they indicated, which is a fact that they
have differences, but as to the imminence or the possibility, **** there
was no discussion.
-15-
(Boggs)
A. Well, as a matter of fact, the deputy foreign ministerM said that
the discussions were by word of mouth and by writings. I certainly have
heard little any indications of any armed conflict.
Q. Congressman Boggs, may I pose a political question to you since you
are ************ one of your Party's leaders.
(Boggs)
A.R. You mean a Chinese political question.
Q. No sir, its about
(Boggs)
A. Well I would be glad to hold a press conference about that but not
at this ODEXXX time.
Newsman: Thank you, sir.
######
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD