Negotiating with the Enemy: U.S.-China Talks during the Cold War, 1949-1972

Chronology

229 chronology 1944 June U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace led a mission to China. 22 July Dixie Mission arrived in Yan’an. 18 Aug. CCP Central Committee issued “Instructions on Diplomatic Affairs ,” regarded as its ¤rst formal diplomatic document. President Roosevelt appointed General Patrick Hurley as his personal representative to China. 21 Oct. Hurley was appointed U.S. ambassador to China. 24 Oct. General Stilwell was recalled from China. 1945 2 April Hurley announced that U.S. support to China would go only to the Nationalist government. 23 April–11 June The CCP convened its Seventh Party Congress. 14–23 Aug. Jiang Jieshi three times invited Mao Zedong to Chongqing (Chungking) for negotiations. 28 Aug. Mao arrived in Chongqing, entering talks with Jiang Jieshi and Hurley over the long-standing Communist-Nationalist struggle for control of China. 10 Oct. The CCP and GMD issued summary of Mao-Jiang conversations. 27 Nov. Hurley resigned as ambassador to China, protesting U.S. decision to end military aid to Jiang Jieshi, and charging that proCommunist State Department of¤cials had undermined U.S. efforts to resolve the Communist-Nationalist con¶ict. General George Marshall was appointed President Truman’s special representative to China. 20 Dec. Marshall arrived in China, trying to get the Communists and Nationalists to agree to a cease-¤re and enter into a coalition government . 1946 10 Jan. The CCP and GMD reached truce agreement. 14 Jan. The Executive Headquarters at Beiping began its of¤cial functions. 30 June CCP-GMD truce expired; an overall civil war began. 230 chronology 11 July U.S. Senate con¤rmed Stuart’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to China. 2 Nov. Sino-American Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation was signed in Nanjing. 1947 6 Jan. Marshall returned to U.S. to become secretary of state after more than a year of failed mediation efforts in China. 29 Jan. The United States announced end to its mediation efforts in China, and immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops. 1 Feb. The CCP announced that it would no longer recognize any treaty or agreement reached between the GMD government and foreign countries. 9 July The United States announced General Albert Wedemeyer’s mission to China. 1948 3 April Truman approved China Aid Act of 1948. 1 Nov. The PLA occupied Shenyang. 10 Nov. CCP Central Committee ordered that the diplomats from Western countries should be treated as ordinary foreign residents. 17 Nov. Mao instructed Gao Gang to inform the Soviets that the CCP would adopt an identical position with the Soviet Union in making its foreign policy. 20 Nov. U.S. consul-general in Shenyang Angus Ward and his staff were put under house detention. 1949 1 Jan. In his New Year message, Mao called for “carrying the revolution through to the end.” 6–10 Jan. CCP Politburo convened an enlarged meeting to discuss New China’s domestic and foreign policies. 19 Jan. CCP Central Committee issued comprehensive instructions on diplomatic affairs, making it clear that the CCP would “make a fresh start” in China’s foreign policy. 21 Jan. Jiang Jieshi announced his retirement; Li Zongren became acting president. 31 Jan. The PLA occupied Beiping. 31 Jan.–7 Feb. Soviet Politburo member Mikoyan secretly visited Xibaipo to meet Mao and other CCP leaders. 5 Feb. The main body of the Nationalist government moved from Nanjing to Guangzhou (Canton). 5–13 March CCP Central Committee convened its second plenary session of the Seventh Party Congress, which decided that the CCP would not hurriedly pursue diplomatic relations with Western imperialist countries. 21 April The PLA crossed the Yangzi River and occupied Nanjing. chronology 231 May–June Stuart held a series of meetings with Huang Hua in Nanjing. 27 May The PLA seized Shanghai. 2 June The PLA seized Qingdao. 15 June With the Communists in control of several major cities, Mao Zedong stated that he was willing to discuss establishing diplomatic relations with any foreign government, on “the basis of the principles of equality, mutual bene¤ts, and mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” and on the condition they would sever relations with the Nationalists. 22 June The CCP announced that former American diplomats in Shenyang had been involved in espionage activities. 26 June–14 Aug. Liu Shaoqi secretly visited the Soviet Union. 30 June Mao announced that New China would adopt a “lean-to-oneside ” approach in international affairs. 5 Aug...