The heat was telling on the group of decorously dressed people at the airfield. Tall Texan Lyndon B. Johnson, Vice President of the United States, mopped his brows now and then. The man who admirably withstood near century temperatures during a recent Asia swing was finding the weather at home almost as warm. Beside him stood Mrs. Johnson, Secretary of State and Mrs. Dean Rusk and American Ambassador to China and Mrs. Everett F. Drumright.
They were waiting anxiously for, the arrival of the man who was to make a trip to cement Sino-American friendship and to remove whatever difference of opinion existing between the two traditional allies. Indeed, much depended on the official three-day visit to Washington by Chen Cheng, Vice President and concurrently Premier of the Republic of China.
The visit was significant because there were at that time three main issues over which the United States and the Republic of China failed to see eye to eye.
The first problem was the consideration given by the American government to suggestions that recognition be accorded to Outer Mongolia.
The second question was over Outer Mongolia's application for admission to the United Nations. The Soviet Russians had linked up U.N. membership for Mauritania with that for Outer Mongolia.
A third point of disagreement looked technical on the surface but the Chinese believed it went much deeper than mere parliamentary maneuvers. The United States believed that when the China's representation issue would come up in the U.N. General Assembly this fall, she might not be able to muster the required number of votes to continue the year-by-year moratorium on that issue.
The three outstanding issues had resulted in a great deal of diplomatic exchanges between the two governments. The United States government, which had reiterated its support of the Republic of China was anxious to have a "meeting of mind" with top leaders of the Republic of China. Hence, President John F. Kennedy invited Vice President Chen to Washington to iron out the differences of views.
Following the lunch given in his honor, Vice President Chen (left) bids good-by to President Kennedy (second from right) in front of the White House. (File photo).
The Vice Presidential Party
In late July, it was simultaneously announced in Taipei and Washington that Vice President Chen would be going to the United States at the invitation of President Kennedy. It created a sensation because it was the first time in the history of Sino-American relations that an incumbent Chinese Vice President was to go to the United States. And for Vice President Chen, it was his second overseas trip in his lifetime—the first being a short visit to Japan many years ago--and only matters of paramount importance could have persuaded Mr. Chen to go on the trip in such a hurry.
The vice presidential visit was also to return the official visit by Mr. Johnson in May. But the composition of the Vice Presidential and the circumstances surrounding the trip indicated it was more than a courtesy trip.
Going to Washington with Mr. and Mrs. Chen were Shen Chang-huan, minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Shen; Ambassador Hu Ching-yu, advisor to Mr. Shen's ministry serving as Vice President's diplomatic counselor; Lt. Gen. Lai Ming-tang, vice chief of the General Staff serving as military adviser; James Shen, director of the Government Information Office who was to take care of press relations and also to be the official interpreter in all important negotiations; K. T. Li, secretary general of the Council for United States Aid who was the adviser on economic matters; Joseph Ku, chief of protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and C. M. Wei, adviser to the Executive Yuan (cabinet).
The party also had six unofficial members: Maj. Gen. Tu Lung-tan, assistant deputy chief of the General Staff; Wong Min-chen, secretary; Wu Wen-hui, secretary; Tung Kung-tsai, aide; Dr. Shen Yen, physician, and Lt. Col. Han Tsai-sheng of the Chinese Air Force.
Mr. Li and Gen. Tu left one day ahead of the full group.
Elaborate preparations preceded the Vice President's departure. Although the time was short, concerned government agencies worked night and day to whip into final shape the position papers, statistical reviews, informational guidebooks and outlines and messages. Minister Shen had to ignore a head-splitting toothache to make the preparatory works watertight.
Tailors too were called in to rush into completion the formal attires. Vice President Chen vetoed the idea of tails and settled for a tuxedo. Mrs. Chen instructed her tailor that the formal dress—a chipao—should represent the best and noblest in Chinese fashion.
The Vice President took time out to meet the presidents of the four other yuan, (branches of the Chinese government) to sound out the views of leading parliamentarians and to keep his ear pretty close to the ground as to what the people were saying. The day before he left, he called on President Chiang Kai-shek and discussed the trip for three solid hours.
The departure was set for noon July 29. In the morning, Mr. Chen was about to drive over to see the President when the Generalissimo came over himself. They had another 90 minutes of talk. Then the President said "Good Luck" to his top lieutenant.
Thousands of people crowded the Sungshan airport to see him off. Mr. Chen had only five minutes for the press. He said in a statement:
"I am leaving for the United States at the invitation of President John F. Kennedy. On behalf of President Chiang Kai-shek, I shall exchange views with President Kennedy and his associates on current world problems, especially those relating to our common interests in Asia. My visit is also in return to the one which U.S. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson paid us last May.
"It is my sincere hope that my trip will help advance the traditional friendship between our two countries and also bring about a meeting of mind concerning the various problems confronting us.
"I plan to spend three days in Washington before going on to visit other points of interest. I hope also to meet and greet overseas Chinese in various cities in the United States.
"Finally, I wish to voice my deep appreciation of the good wishes which all my fellow countrymen have expressed in connection with my trip."
The Vice President, when answering press questions, said the government stand on the Outer Mongolian issue was well known.
Madame Chiang Kai-shek went to the airport in person to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Chen.
The Civil Air Transport, Chinese flagged carrier, provided its DC6B Mandarin Flight to take the party to Tokyo. Its Mandarin Jet later on flew the Vice President back from Japan. The trip between Japan and San Francisco was by Pan American Airways while President Kennedy put his personal Columbine at Mr. Chen's disposal for his travels in continental United States.
With Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman at the U. S. Government Experimental Farm at Beltsville, Maryland. (File photo)
Conferences with JFK
After flying almost non-stop from Taipei to the East Coast of the United States, the Vice President reached Williamsburg in Virginia on July 30 for a day of rest and sightseeing. Williamsburg, a scenic spot restored to its colonial grandeur by Rockefeller money, provided one full day's relaxation for Mr. Chen and his party.
Then, the next morning, the Vice President flew into Washington for his two conferences with President Kennedy and two conferences with Secretary of State Dean Rusk. The Johnsons, Rusks and Drumrights were braving the heat wave waiting for him.
As the guard of honor presented arms and the ceremonial guns boomed out 19 salvoes, Mr. Johnson extended the official welcome to his Chinese counterpart. The American Vice President said Mr. Chen would find "further evidence of the sincerity of our words and of our firm determination not only to stand by our declaration but to project them by action, coolly and with foresight."
"The President has asked me to say that he is looking forward to meeting with you," Mr. Johnson added. "He anticipates having highly useful exchanges with you not only in common objective such as our opposition to the seating of the Peiping regime at the United Nations but also upon the numerous and pressing situations in international affairs brought about by the aggressive designs of the enemies of freedom.
He recalled that in last May he and Mr. Chen "reaffirmed our common purpose of maintaining the integrity of Free Asia" in their Taipei meetings
Responding in Chinese, Mr. Chen said: "Although this is my first visit to the United States, I feel that I have come not as a stranger but a friend of long standing. We were allies in two world wars. We are today bound by a mutual defense treaty and a number of working agreements all of which are designed to protect our common interests in these critical days."
He said he hoped his two scheduled meetings with President Kennedy and others in Washington would help promote better understanding and strengthen further the cordial relationship between China and the United States.
While they were speaking, the United States had officially announced that it would continue to oppose a U.N. seat for the Chinese Communists, thus removing one of the matters of serious concern between the two governments. And in Taipei, President Chiang delivered an important speech praising President Kennedy's firm stand on Berlin. These were really a good beginning for Mr. Chen's visit to the United States.
Vice President Chen and his top aides drove directly from the airport to the White House for the first of the two all-important meetings with President Kennedy. President Kennedy himself had just returned from Hyannis port where he spent the weekend in holding preparatory meetings with his top lieutenants.
The first meeting lasted one hour and 40 minutes. It dealt with the Berlin crisis, the Laotian situation, conditions on the Chinese mainland and pressures being exerted by the Chinese Communists and Soviet Russians in Southeast Asia.
The discussion on mainland conditions was described by some as the best fill-in on Communist matters President Kennedy ever had. For instance, JFK wanted to know who was the top Peiping military man. Without hesitation, Vice President Chen said, "Lin Piao."
A White House luncheon followed the meeting. The toasts exchanged and cordial words spoken at the state luncheon indicated the success of the first meeting. Praising Vice President Chen as a leader with whom the United States is "most intimately associated in very difficult times," President Kennedy said, "In his own right, his own character, his own qualities of leadership in good times and bad times of his country's fortunes have won him the admiration and respect of all who have seen him.
"So we are glad to have him for what he is himself and we are glad to have him also because he represents and has the complete confidence of the President of his country.
"I believe that the visit of the Vice President can do much to make sure that both his country and ours move on parallel lines in the difficult days and months and years ahead."
And President Kennedy toasted to the health of President Chiang.
Vice President Chen pledged "all actions taken by our country will be coordinated with the leadership of you, Mr. President." He also described the meeting as a high point in his personal life "especially in the conversations that left me with a very deep impression that this will be a great contribution to our national policy of determined fight against international Communism."
"With our two countries together," he said, "we can march toward our common goal."
The Vice President toasted the health of President Kennedy.
In the afternoon, Mr. Chen visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington and attended a private dinner given by Chinese Ambassador and Mrs. George Yeh.
The next day, Tuesday August 1, after a breakfast working session with Mr. Rusk, Vice President Chen was again in conferences with President Kennedy. The discussions again touched on a wide range of important world problems including what to do about Outer Mongolia's application for admission to the United Nations.
With Secretary of State Dean Rusk. (File photo)
National Press Club Luncheon
From the White House, Mr. Chen drove only a few blocks up Pennsylvania Avenue to attend the National Press Club luncheon. There he delivered the major speech of his American tour.
Concerning the talks with President Kennedy, Mr. Chen said, "I have found the conversations both yesterday and this morning most helpful in coordinating our future policies and plans with particular reference to the continuing Communist menace to Asia."
Regarding Berlin, he said, "The firm stand which your President has taken on this question and the nationwide support he has received have greatly strengthened the position of the free world as a whole. This firmness on the part of your President and the American public has further bolstered the confidence of Asian countries in the leadership of the United States." Then he warned:
"There is, however, possibility that the Communist bloc, after having been stopped in the West, may create a new crisis in the East. We, of course, know that the security of the free world is total and indivisible. But the Communists may still think that while we may say so, we may not really believe in it ourselves ... After all, it should be remembered that it was during the first Berlin crisis that the Communists seized the Chinese mainland ...
"The fall of the Chinese mainland behind the Iron Curtain was the greatest tragedy to the free world since the end of World War II. The present world situation would have been vastly different if the Chinese mainland had not fallen into Communist hands in 1949 ... Unless this evil hand of the Chinese Communists is chained, it may yet cause more harm to the people in other free nations."
Calling the "formidable-looking military force" of the Chinese Communists as a "house built on sand," Mr. Chen went on to say the Chinese Communists were actually the paper tigers. They were still a long way from membership in the nuclear club and they had suffered many setbacks abroad and at home. He pointed out:
"The series of wars which the Chinese Communists have either instigated or in which they have intervened have created an inordinate fear in this and other countries of the prowess of the Chinese Communists. The truth is that the Chinese Communists have not been able to consolidate their hold on the mainland and that there has been continuous resistance to their regime. In the past decade, they have had to liquidate as many as twenty million 'reactionaries' or 'counter-revolutionaries.' This would hardly have been necessary if there had been no resistance to their rule on the mainland. The revolt of the Tibetans was but one of the more dramatic episodes. About the other uprisings, large and small, the outside world has heard little because of the suppression of news by the Chinese Communists."
Mr. Chen discounted reports of serious ideological conflicts between Peiping and Moscow. He said, "While it seems undeniable that there have been differences between the Chinese and Russian Communists, they have not been serious enough to cause them each to go their own way. The reason is clear. Neither can afford to lose the other. Besides, up to the present, the Chinese Communists are still totally dependent on the Russians for their military equipment and material supplies.
"Above all, the Russian and the Chinese Communists share the same ideology and have the same goal, which is none other than the destruction of democracy and the system of free enterprise. If there is an important difference, it is that the Peiping regime believes it has found a more efficient way to bury the free nations."
Then Mr. Chen told the American press the conditions in the Republic of China where democracy and freedom are upheld. He added:
"I have often been asked what will be the future of China. My answer is that whatever our future may be, our destiny is closely bound with that of the cause of freedom. Divided as we are as a victim of Communist aggression, our problems are somewhat similar to those of the other countries which have suffered the same fate. Like the courageous people of West Berlin, we too realize that our only chance of survival as free men lies in resisting further Communist aggression and fighting it to a standstill as we had demonstrated on Quemoy in 1958. We have no further illusions of coexisting with any Communists and of negotiating with them for a peaceful settlement. We know them for what they are and what they cannot be ...
"Standing as we are on the fringe of the Communist orbit and seeking to demonstrate the world and particularly to our compatriots on the mainland that we can evolve a better society without Communism, we are fully aware of the magnitude of our task and the grave responsibility we have assumed ... When and if there is developed on the mainland a large scale revolt, we shall be the first ones to go to their aid and join forces with them. The right of a people to rescue their compatriots from misery is as human as it is undeniable. This is a mission to which we are dedicated and for which we are preparing ourselves."
The speech was short, taking up only ten minutes. The Vice President later on answered questions from the press corps.
He spiked speculation that the Republic of China would no longer block U.N. membership for Outer Mongolia. He said, "Our position on Outer Mongolia is well known. When the time comes the Chinese government will exercise every power within the U.N. Charter to block Outer Mongolia's entry." But he refused to reveal the action to be adopted, saying, "We have little or no desire to tip off the Communist bloc on our exact plans."
The situation in the United Nations was bad enough, he explained, and there was no reason to dignify the "fruits of the Communist evil doings" by seating another Communist satellite.
Asked about the possible effect of a veto on the Afro-Asian bloc, Mr. Chen said he hoped that these nations would understand that whatever action the Chinese government took "would be in the interest of justice and world peace." He emphasized the Republic of China supports the application of new nations of Africa for U.N. membership.
Concerning outlook in the U.N. over the Chinese representation issue, the Vice President said, "As long as the free nations in the U.N. abide by the letter and also the spirit of the Charter, the outlook for China's continued membership in the U.N. is good."
He also said the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu "should and can be held." Their defense is essential to the defense of Taiwan and "it is our intention to hold Quemoy and Matsu against whatever the Communists decide to throw against us."
The Vice President delivers a speech at the National Press Club in Washington. On his right is James Shen, director of Government Information Office, acting as his official interpreter. (File photo)
Joint Communiqué
In the afternoon, President Kennedy and Vice President Chen issued a joint Communiqué summing up the "series of cordial and constructive talks on a broad range of international problems and matters of common interest to the governments and peoples of the United States and the Republic of China." It said:
"The President welcomed this opportunity to reaffirm the close ties between the governments and the peoples of the United States and the Republic of China ...
"The President and the Vice President discussed at length the present situation in Asia and expressed their concern over the future of Laos ... The President stated that the United States will not approve any arrangement that will result in Communist domination of that country. The President stated that the United States is determined that the Republic of Vietnam shall not be lost to the Communists for lack of any support which the United States government can render.
"The President and the Vice President welcomed the announced policies of the new South Korean government to continue its partnership with the free world, to oppose Communism and to combat the economic problems that face the Korean people."
About the important problems which were the focal points of discussions, the communiqué said:
"In their discussion of Chinese representation in the United Nations, there was a candid and comprehensive exchange of views on all relevant issues including the pending application for U.N. membership of Outer Mongolia and Mauritania. The President reiterated firm United States support for continued representation of the Republic of China in the United Nations, of which it is a founding member.
"He also reaffirmed the U.S. determination to continue to oppose admission of the Chinese Communist regime to the United Nations." It added:
"The President and the Vice President expressed their intention to support the admission to the United Nations of the nations emerging into independence that meet the qualifications set forth in the Charter.
In this connection they noted with concern the Soviet veto that has frustrated the admission of Mauritania. The Vice President declared that the Republic of China has consistently supported admission of the newly independent states and that it will continue to support the deserved admission of Mauritania."
They also reviewed conditions on the Chinese mainland, the communiqué said. "In the economic field they noted that Communist mismanagement, unworkable agricultural policies and the commune system have brought serious food shortages and grave hardships to the Chinese people. They noted that reports from refugees and visitors indicate the apathy, discontent and disillusionment on the mainland of China. They agreed that these developments provide vivid proof that the Communist regime cannot meet the genuine needs and desires of the Chinese people for economic and social progress."
Arriving at McGee-Tyson near Knoxville, the Vice President (second from right) is greeted by a group of University of Tennessee Professors and students of Chinese descent and their children.(File photo)
Turning to progress on Taiwan, "the President confirmed the intention of the United States government to continue its military aid program in the Republic of China and to provide substantial assistance to the Republic of China in support of its economic development program designed to achieve accelerated social and economic progress for the welfare of the people of Free China."
The communiqué was a general restatement of principles. No courses of action were indicated. However, when Mr. Chen was about to leave the United States, on August 11 the State Department made another announcement saying there would be no American recognition of Outer Mongolia for the present time. This was regarded as another achievement of the Vice President.
There still has been no official word on the agreed procedures to be taken by the United States and free China in the United Nations to block the admission of Outer Mongolia. The United States, it was understood, might abstain when the issue came up.
Nor was there any word on the China representation tactics in the world assembly.
Tuesday evening August 1, the Vice President attended a state dinner given by Secretary of State Rusk. Mr. Rusk talked about the "fruitful, inspiring and frank discussions of the sort that can take place only among friends." He said President Kennedy had "greatly benefited " from the discussions.
The United States under President Kennedy "will lead the world to defeat Communist aggression," Mr. Chen responded. "On behalf" of President Chiang Kai-shek and the people of the Republic of China, I would like to take this opportunity to say that we are willing and ready to coordinate our policies with the United States."
The serious talks were over but Mr. Chen still had one ex-president to see and one incumbent president to entertain. Wednesday August 2 morning, he flew from Washington in a helicopter provided by President Kennedy to Gettysburg to meet former president General Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was a courtesy call.
In the evening, President Kennedy went to Hotel Mayflower to attend the state dinner given in his honor by Vice President Chen. Yi-kwei Sze, Chinese baritone of American citizenship, sang five numbers at the banquet. General Albert C. Wedemeyer, long retired from active duties, came and was happy to meet his old friend and colleague of World War II.
The Vice President visits TVA (File photo)
Other Activities
Early the next day, Vice President Chen and his party flew to New York for a two-day visit. He checked in at the Waldorf Astoria and had lunch with Dr. John A. Krout, vice president of Columbia University, and some faculty members. It was followed by a tea given by Mayor Robert Wagner at the Gracie Mansion. Mr. Wagner presented New York City's gold medallion to the Vice President and praised him for his "outstanding work for the Chinese people." Mr. Wagner was especially laudatory of the land reform on Taiwan.
After the tea, Mr. Chen attended a reception given by Chinese government agencies in New York and a formal dinner given by Dr. Tsiang Ting-fu, permanent Chinese delegate to the United Nations.
The next morning, Mr. Chen had breakfast with a group of New York bankers and industrialists. "I am not going to give you words of propaganda about Taiwan," the Vice President prefaced his talk to them. "Instead, I want to mention some shortcomings." He did.
The Vice President invited the Americans to come to Taiwan and study the situation.
From the Waldorf-Astoria breakfast, Vice President Chen went to the Waldorf Towers to call on General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. The talk lasted 55 minutes.
Then he went to the glass building, which serves as headquarters of the United Nations. There, Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold greeted him warmly and showed him around. The top U. N. official was the host at luncheon. The Russian delegate did not turn out. Later Mr. Chen met scores of U. N. Chinese employees. The smiling Vice President shook every out-stretched hand.
In the afternoon, Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York State took over. He gave a reception in Mr. Chen's honor.
It was New York's Chinese community, which gave Mr. Chen the most enthusiastic civilian reception. Hundreds lined up at LaGuardia marine airport in the morning despite a rain to welcome and cheer him. The applauses were deafening.
When the Vice President toured China town, 5,000 Chinese turned out with their bugle, drum and fife teams plus lion dancing to have a look at the statesman. Mr. and Mrs. Chen had to go up a second floor balcony to acknowledge the greetings.
The Vice President made an impromptu speech. He told the cheering Chinese that the Chinese Communist regime could not last long and the mainland of China would be ultimately restored to the Republic of China. The words were greeted with thunderous cheers and hurrahs.
Early Saturday, he flew to Knoxville to start his inspection of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The trip was of tremendous importance to him because he is the originator of the Shihmen project on Taiwan, which has TVA as its prototype.
In the Knoxville area, the Vice President saw more than rivers and dams. He visited the Hue Kingston steam plant and a dairy farm owned by Don Walton. Mr. Walton said later: "Mr. Chen seemed quite well pleased with everything. It certainly was a pleasure to show such a congenial guest around the place."
Early Sunday, the Vice presidential party left Knoxville for Chicago where he stayed 22 hours.
He toured the city, stopped over at the China town to accept the cheers from the overseas Chinese, attended a luncheon at the International Trade Fair at which he was the guest of honor, and came to a formal dinner given by Mayor Richard J. Daley and other Chicago officials.
It was in Chicago that Mr. Chen was asked to comment on the 25-hour space flight by Major Gherman S. Titov of Soviet Russia. The Vice President said the exploit could not change the texture of Communist regimes. He also believed the United States would not lose further in the space race. He said, "Space success is one thing; tyranny and brutality on the ground is another."
The Vice President poses with overseas Chinese leaders in San Francisco. (File photo)
From Chicago, the Vice President proceeded to Detroit to look around the Ford plant and the General Motors Research Center. After a GM luncheon, he drove over to the Chrysler plant. He also held a press conference at the airport.
On August 8, he flew from Detroit to San Francisco for a two-day stop. He delivered another major speech at the banquet in his honor given by the World Affairs Council of Northern California and the Asia Foundation. In his speech, he said:
"The situation on the mainland is fast ripening for a general uprising. The Hungarian uprising failed for lack of external help. The anti-Castro landings in Cuba failed for lack of internal response. It will be a different story with us, I am sure, when Chinese revolutionary forces of the mainland and the Chinese government's armed forces from Taiwan effect a junction against the hated Communist regime."
The Vice President flew Sunday to Honolulu for a two-day rest during which he attended Governor William Quinn's reception and dinner and also a big banquet by the Chinese community. He also toured Pearl Harbor. Then he flew home via Tokyo. A nation, grateful for what he had done in the United States, gave him a memorable welcome on the night of August 13 when his plane touched down at the Sungshan airport.