RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA'S RELATIONS WITH NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-294-7-13-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 9, 2009
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: October 16, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09 : LOC-HAK-294-7-13-4 2733
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUBJECT: Recent Developments in China's
Relations with North Korea
.INFORMATION
October 16, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: DR. KISSINGER f/
China is attempting to create a "united front" with her Asian allies fn
support of the invitation for you to visit Peking.
At Tab A is an analysis of recent developments in Sino-North Korea
relations. I thought it might be of interest given the indication that
rr7: l r f:i d
The analysis makes the following points:
1) After a period of tension in its relations with Peking which
began in the mid-1960s, Pyongyang began to reconsider its "hard line"
positions both with respect to international relations and its dealings
with South Korea in 1969. Internal economic problems and the failure
of subversive missions in the Republic of Korea prompted this recon-
sideration.
2) North Korea's initial reaction to "ping pong" diplomacy, and
the announcement this July of your trip to China was veiled criticism
of the Chinese for its "illusions" about the U. S.
3) Peking appears to have gone to substantial lengths to gain Kim
11-song's backing for its flexible diplomacy. When Pyongyang dragged
its heels in support of your trip to Peking, the Chinese dispatched Prince
Sihanouk to North Korea'to play the role of a mediator. At the end of
Sihanouk's visit in early August, Kim 11-song finally gave public backing
to Peking's initiative to the U. S.
4) In August Peking "repaid" North Korea for its support through
economic and military aid agreements.
5) During August and September Kim 11-song has given evidence of
having energetically picked up Peking's new flexible posture: In an un-
precedented move he agreed to negotiate directly with Sou ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09: LOC-HAK-294-7-13-4
 No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09: LOC-HAK-294-7-13-4
w W
ruling Democratic-Republican Party to solve the reunification
issue. He responded favorably to a South Korean offer to have
Red Gross delegations meet at Panmunjom. There have now been
a successful series of these humanitarian contacts between North
and South Korea--the first such meetings on Korean soil in 26 years.
6) In a final section, the analysis suggests that while concern
with Japan and the Soviet Union's "hard" actions against Czechoslovakia
and China have brought Peking and Pyongyang together, the issue of how
to resolve the reunification of Korea appears to be a continuing point of
contention between the Chinese (who seem to favor a multilateral approach)
and the North Koreans (who stress a bilateral solution).
This analysis thus describes the background of what appears to be an
on-going Chinese effort to prepare a negotiating position for our talks
which will deal with the issue of the American military presence
and economic /military assistance to countries on her periphery
in a manner acceptable to North Korea and North Vietnam.
No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09: LOC-HAK-294-7-13-4