Cadres were told that Lin and his group had made three attempts to assassinate Mao. One of the tales involving poison gas fed into the air-conditioning system of a train was straight out of James Bond. The Mao-Lin power struggle was greeted with apathy at the grass roots. To the people, the whole business was a kind of reprise of Mao and Liu Shao-chi.
President Nixon announced that he would arrive in mainland China on February 21 and depart on the 28th. He will visit Shanghai and Hangchow as well as Peiping and Mrs. Nixon will accompany him.
The Chinese Communists stubbed their toe with all-out vocalized backing of Pakistan in that country's conflict with India. When the chips were down, Peiping turned out to be a paper tiger, snarling and clawing but failing to deliver even the tiniest of bites.
This bitter pill had to be swallowed by the Maoists in full realization that the Russians had backed India and emerged with substantially increased prestige in Southwest Asia. London sources said the Chinese Reds failed to act because of an insufficiency of military power.
Peiping and Moscow carried their cold war into the United Nations General Assembly. Eastern European Communists charged that the Chinese Reds were voting with the United States.
On several occasions, the United States repeated assurances that it will continue to recognize the Republic of China and abide by the terms of mutual assistance treaty between the two countries. President Nixon said he would promise not to compromise the position of Japan in the Peiping talks.
This was the record of Chinese Communist and peripheral events in the period from November 26 through December 25:
November 26
Soviet proposal of a world disarmament conference was opposed in the United Nations General Assembly by Red China and the United States. Peiping said the Russian proposal did not stipulate clear objectives nor the means of their accomplishment. Peiping and Moscow then clashed head on. The Chinese Communists accused the Russians of "social-imperialism" and of encouraging India to launch aggression against Pakistan.
Soviet Ambassador Jacob Malik struck back with denunciation of Peiping for posing as a defender of smaller countries against the superpowers. The Chinese Communists' chief delegate, "deputy foreign minister" Chiao Kuan-hua, accused the U.S.S.R. and U.S. of a "kind of military duet" in Northeast Asia, and he told Moscow that after long experience with Soviet "chauvinism and social imperialism," the Chinese Communists no longer "buy such stuff of yours. Your baton no longer works. The days are gone when the superpowers could dominate the world."
Japan angrily answered a Chinese Communist charge that the United States had based nuclear weapons on Japanese soil. "I'd like to point out that it is a basic policy of the Japanese government not to allow any nuclear weapons to be deployed on Japanese soil," said Ambassador Toru Nakagawa.
The Midland Bank group of Britain warned exporters not to expect the opening of a consumer goods market in mainland China. Emphasis on personal savings and self-reliance "offer little promise at present for imports of consumer goods," the report said. British industry was urged to try to sell the Chinese Communists ships, locomotives and machinery for textile, mining and metallurgical industries.
North Vietnam Premier Pham Van Dong urged Moscow and Peiping to settle their differences. The Hanoi leader visited Peiping and joined Chou En-lai in attacking the United States. Sources in Paris said Chou had given assurances that the Chinese Communists would not make an Indochina deal with President Nixon when he visits the mainland.
November 27
Peiping and Moscow continued their feud at the United Nations. Chiao Kuan-hua accused the U.S.S.R. of blocking nuclear disarmament. He demanded that Russia pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and that the Soviets dismantle their nuclear bases and destroy their nuclear armaments and means of delivery. He said the Russians would not dare to do so, however, because they were "tough outwardly and timid inwardly."
Ambassador Jacob Malik accused Chiao of telling fairy tales and insisted that the Soviet Union was pursuing a "peace-loving policy."
Peiping cabled the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East it would not be represented at ECAFE meetings in November and December. ECAFE's annual meeting is scheduled for Bangkok in March.
November 28
The usually well-informed Washington Post, quoting unidentified Chinese mainland affairs specialists, said Lin Piao was dead, possibly of natural causes. The paper said Communist Party cadres on the mainland were spreading the word that Lin was killed in the Outer Mongolia crash of his escape plane. Lin was said to have opposed the Mao-backed Chou En-lai policy of rapprochement with the United States.
Lin Piao's name was dropped from a message of national day greetings to Albania, the closest ally of the Peiping regime. The message was signed by Mao, Chou En-lai and "acting president" Tung Pi-wu.
People's Daily said the Vietnam and Indochina questions were the "most urgent demanding settlement in the world today." Peiping pledged continued economic, military and diplomatic assistance to North Vietnam after discussions with a Hanoi mission headed by Premier Pham Van Dong.
Toyo Keizai (Far Eastern Economics) of Tokyo said the Chinese Communists may be losing the battle to feed more than 10 million additional mouths annually. The magazine published a 172-page special edition devoted to analysis of the mainland economy. Peiping was reported to lack the capital to open up undeveloped land and to have been compelled to seek increased output from land which is already over-cultivated. Per capita income was estimated at US$100. Three-quarters of the population (estimated at 800 million) depends on agriculture for a livelihood, the publication said.
November 29
President Nixon will arrive in mainland China February 21, it was jointly announced by Washington and Peiping.
Hongkong reports said Tang Ming-chao, formerly the editor of a Chinese language newspaper in New York, was Red China's top spy in the delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. Kao Liang, who previously had been identified as the chief Peiping espionage agent at the U.N., is a communications specialist handling codes and liaison with United Nations personnel, the report said. Miss Wang Hai-yung, identified as Mao Tse-tung's niece, is reporting directly to Mao and Mao's wife, Chiang Ching, the reports said.
People's Daily charged the Sato government in Japan with being the "most reactionary" to hold power since World War II. Return of Okinawa to Japan, the paper said, was a "big fraud" engineered by American and Japanese "reactionaries to legalize the permanent occupation of Okinawa by the United States." Peiping also claimed the Japanese were "dipping a finger in the Malacca Strait" in the hope of controlling rich oil and tin deposits of the continental shelf" off Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Chinese Communist "vice premier" Li Hsien-nien expressed support of Pakistan "in the struggle against Indian aggression." He said Peiping stands for settlement of the dispute through peaceful consultations.
Hongkong sources said reshuffle of the Chinese Communist hierarchy left these nine in the Politburo (originally there were 21) listed in supposed order: Mao Tse-tung. Chou En-lai, Chiang Ching (Mao's wife), Yeh Chien-ying (72-year-old military man), Chang Chun-chiao (party boss in Shanghai), Yao Wen-yuan (also of Shanghai and reputedly Mao's son-in-law), Li Hsien-nien (chief aide of Chou En-lai), Tung Pi-su (85-year-old "vice president") and Chen Hsi-lien (armed forces commander in Manchuria).
Politburo members who have dropped from sight are Lin Piao (Mao's erstwhile successor), Chen Po-ta, Kang Sheng, Yeh Chun (Lin Piao's wife), Wu Fa-hsien (air force commander), Li Tso-peng (armed forces deputy chief of staff), Hsu Shih-yu ("deputy defense minister" and commander of the East China military region), Hsieh Fu-chih (chief of the Peiping revolutionary committee), Chu Teh (85 and former chief of the armed forces) and Liu Po-cheng (79 and another old general). The last two are believed to be in poor health.
Apparently moving up in the hierarchy are three alternate members of the Politburo: Wang Tung-hsing (in charge of Mao's personal security apparatus), Chi Teng-kuei and Li Teh-sheng. Other new names are those of Hua Kuo-feng (head of the revolutionary committee in Mao's home province of Hunan), Wu Teh (vice chairman of the Peiping revolutionary committee), Keng Piao (head of the CCP's international liaison department) and Chang Tsai-chen (formerly deputy commander of the East China military region).
November 30
Henry Kissinger, President Nixon's national security adviser, said there would be no establishment of diplomatic relations as a result of the American chief executive's visit to Peiping. He said the United States recognizes the Republic of China and that defense commitments to that country will not be affected. Asked about the possibility of a meeting between Nixon and President Chiang Kai-shek, Kissinger said "we are well aware of the views of the government of the Republic of China."
The White House announced that Nixon would visit Red China from February 21 to 28 with stops in Shanghai and Hangchow as well as Peiping. Mrs. Nixon will accompany the president.
Reports from Peiping said the visit of Nixon and changes in foreign policy bad not caused much stir among people on the Chinese mainland.
North Vietnam received from Peiping a note asking that Lin Piao's name no longer be included in congratulatory messages. Washington said Li Hsueh-feng, an alternate member of the Politburo and close associate of Lin, apparently had been purged.
Mainland press and radio suddenly stopped referring to Mao Tse-tung as "chairman" (of the Chinese Communist Party). His new honorific seemed to be "great leader."
U.S. businessmen were warned by Arthur D. Little Inc. not to expect sizable trade with Red China. Nor will the Chinese Communists want sophisticated American technology, according to experts of the firm of consultants.
Foreign Minister Abba Eban of Israel said Chinese Communist entry into the United Nations weakens the possibility of U.N. guarantees for permanent peace in the Middle East.
Peru announced the Chinese Communists would sell the Chinese Communists copper, zinc and lead worth US$600 million. Pledges of Peiping aid and other trade raised total value to US$850 million. Peru recognized Red China November 2.
Hongkong reports said that 38 of Lin Piao's closest associates had quietly disappeared. The Lin Piao purge was expected to take at least a year.
December 1
Sources in Hongkong said Chinese Communist Party Central Committee documents circulating on the mainland charge Lin Piao and other leaders of the "people's liberation army" with having tried to assassinate Mao Tse-tung on three separate occasions in September. The documents said Lin died in the Trident jet crash in Outer Mongolia September 13. Similar stories were told by more than 45 persons reaching Hongkong from the mainland.
Lin Piao was said to have moved against Mao because of plans to dismiss him because of his links with Chen Po-ta, the purged chief of the "great proletarian cultural revolution." In the first assassination attempt, a bomb supposedly was placed aboard an aircraft flying Mao to Shanghai. The second plot involved poison gas pumped through the air-conditioning system of Mao's train. Mao was said to have escaped because his car had its own air-conditioning unit. The third attempt purportedly involved the planting of a time bomb at a military unit in Shanghai where Mao was supposed to stay overnight. He changed his plans at the last minute.
The Trident crash was alleged to have taken place after a shoot-out between Lin and bodyguards during the Trident flight. Lin's co-conspirators were dismissed to "contemplate their errors," the mainland account said. Included were army chief of staff Huang Yung-sheng, air force commander Wu Fa-hsien and navy commander Li Tso-peng.
People's Daily, Liberation Army Daily and Red Flag published a joint editorial revealing the existence of "plots" within the Chinese Communist Party. This appeared to confirm the downfall of Lin Piao. The editorial recalled the 1964 charges of Mao against Liu Shao-chi and Peiping "mayor" Peng Cheng, who were purged in the "cultural revolution," then went on to say that "chieftains of opportunist lines engaged in splitting activities could only bring ruin, disgrace and destruction upon themselves in the end."
Taipei sources said the Chinese Communists will be compelled to fall back on collective leadership in an attempt to survive their present crisis. Chou En-lai was represented as fearing intensification of the power struggle in the event of Mao's death.
Prime Minister Eisaku Sato told the Japanese Diet that he is ready to open negotiations for normalization of relations with the Chinese Communists at any time in accordance with the "principle of mutual respect."
President Nixon said his trip to Peiping would not end differences between the free and Communist blocs but that he wanted to start talks to avoid a future conflict which could be "suicide for both sides."
Henry Kissinger said more than 2,000 newsmen had asked to go to Peiping with President Nixon but that the press corps would be the smallest on any presidential trip, although "much larger than anything the (Red) Chinese have confronted."
December 2
Henry Kissinger said the "U.S. position" for settling the China question was direct negotiations betwecn Taipei and Peiping. He added that President Nixon was not pushing any settlement, that U.S. security commitments to the Republic of China remained intact and that the United States would continue to recognize the ROC.
U.S. Secretary of State William Rogers expressed hope that in time the Chinese Communists would participate in disarmament talks with the U.S.S.R., United States and other nuclear powers.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeo Fukuda said Japan needs more time to think about the future of the World War II peace treaty signed in 1952 with the Republic of China. He said Japan regards Peiping as the legitimate government of the Chinese mainland but declined to say the Communist regime was the "only" representative of China.
December 3
Robert Welch, founder and president of the John Birch Society, pledged support of the group to a movement to get the United States out of the United Nations. He said the U.N. "is a vehicle for Communist global conquest. It always has been."
The U.N. General Assembly enlarged its committee on finances from 12 to 13 to include the Chinese Communists.
Broadcasts of an anti-Mao radio station were monitored in Hongkong. The underground station calling itself the "voice of the Liberation Army" was believed located near Canton. One broadcast said: "Mao considered Lin Piao's power to be too great for his comfort. So now he has stripped all of Lin's powers. If Mao purges Lin Piao, who can think themselves safe? It is time for all of you to wake up. Come on over to the right and the real and just revolution. Our future is right. We are filled with confidence and hope. We will win in the end."
December 4
London's Sunday Times quoted Chou En-lai as saying in an exclusive interview that President Nixon's trip to mainland China would be a "waste of time." Chou said: "We should not expect too much to come out of it. How could all problems be solved at once? There can be no such thing. But if he solves nothing will the American people agree to it?"
Moscow said a large-scale purge had been carried out in Red China and that "radical activists" were in control of party and state organs. The Russians said they expected this to lead to a strengthening of Peiping's anti-Soviet position.
Peiping again denounced "Indian aggression" and pledged "resolute support" of Pakistan.
December 5
Russia announced the activation of a broad program of scholarly research on all aspects of political, economic and cultural life in Red China. A national conference of Soviet experts on China was convened for the first time in recent years.
Reports from Peiping said the regime was adopting a low posture in the face of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's announcement that India was being put on a war footing. Diplomatic sources said Red Chinese backing of Pakistan would be diplomatic, not military.
Washington expressed belief Moscow had failed in an attempt to undermine Chinese Communist influence in North Vietnam following the invitation to President Nixon.
Chou En-lai told Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1965 that he hoped for large-scale commitment of U.S. troops to Vietnam as "insurance" against U.S. nuclear attack on the Chinese mainland. "The more troops they sent to Vietnam, the happier we shall be. They will be so close to us they will be our hostages." He also told Nasser "We are planting the best kinds of opium especially for the American soldiers in Vietnam." The revelations were included in a biography of Nasser by his longtime confidant, Mohammed Hassasein Heykal, editor of the Cairo newspaper Al Ahram. Mao was said to have sent Nasser a plan for guerrilla warfare against the Israelis. He was not convinced that the lack of natural cover in the Sinai desert made this impossible.
December 6
Peiping broke off negotiations with Australia for the opening of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister William MacMahon said: "We thought quite frankly we were on the way to some sort of success. But the (Red) Chinese act in their own inscrutable way and suddenly they cut off without rhyme or reason and we do not know when they are likely to resume."
In a letter signed by Jose J. Roy, president pro tempore of the Philippine Senate, the World Anti-Communist League advised President Nixon that his Peiping trip "could serve to alienate the Asian peoples who have heretofore looked to the United States for guidance and support."
December 7
Hongkong reports said Henry Kissinger paved the way for the invitation to President Nixon by offering Chou En-lai spy-in-the-sky pictures of a Russian army build-up along the northern Chinese border. These were said to have helped Chou win out over Lin Piao, who was represented as supporting a deal with the Soviet Union to keep out of the hands of the "American imperialists."
December 8
Moscow said Red China would not permit India to maintain military occupation of East Pakistan. Speaking in Warsaw, Leonid Brezhnev warned the Chinese Communists to stay out of the India-Pakistan conflict.
Peiping accused the Soviet Union of "bare-faced blackmail and intimidation" in supporting India. Indian recognition of Bangladesh exposed a plot to annex East Pakistan, the Chinese Communists said.
December 9
The Republic of China withdrew from the International Atomic Energy Agency as the board of governors announced that the Peiping regime would be seated.
Peiping announced the death of American-educated scientist Yeh Chu-pei at 71. He was a member of the standing committee of the "National People's Congress."
December 10
Red China announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Senegal.
The Peiping regime did not vote on a U.N. proposal calling for ratification of the Treaty of Tlatelolco prohibiting nuclear weapons in Latin America. Chen Chu, Peiping's representative on the General Assembly's main political committee, said the Chinese Communists have pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons. "This is the best support for the good wishes of many governments for nuclear free zones and peace zones," he said.
December 11
Peiping condemned India for trying to "annex East Pakistan" and urged New Delhi to accept the ceasefire resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. "The Indian government's aggressive arrogance has swelled to such an extent because it has the energetic support and coordination of social imperialism (the Soviet Union) in political, economic and military fields," said Chi Peng-fei, "acting foreign minister."
December 12
A Chinese mainland journalist visiting the United States said he knew the fate of Lin Piao but could not speak out because of the continuing investigation of the mainland power struggle. The journalist, Jack Chen, was in Houston to meet with Rice University students.
Intelligence sources in the United States were quoted as saying that the Chinese Communists had killed virtually their entire military high command, including the "defense minister," Lin Piao.
A message to Albania was signed by Mao Tse-tung, "vice chairman" Tung Pi-wu (in place of Lin Piao) and Chou En-lai.
December 13
Red China freed two Americans, Richard Fecteau, 43, and Mary Ann Harbart, 26. Both crossed the border into Hongkong and left for the United States on a military aircraft. Fecteau was captured in November, 1952, during the Korean War. A civilian employee of the U.S. Army, he was accused by the Chinese Communists of attempting to set up guerrilla and espionage bases in North China. John Downey, who was captured with him, had his sentence commuted to five years, which would make him eligible for release in 1976. Miss Harbart was aboard a yacht captured by the Chinese Communists in 1968. Her companion, Gerald Ross McLaughlin, committed suicide, the Chinese Communists said. The Peiping regime had never reported the capture of Miss Harbart and McLaughlin.
India said Chinese Communist troop movements intended to "show political solidarity with Pakistan" had been detected,
December 14
President Nixon welcomed the release of two Americans by the Chinese Communists. Henry Kissinger had carried Nixon's personal appeal on their behalf to Peiping. The two, Richard Fecteau and Mary Ann Harbart, arrived in the United States and were taken to a hospital for check-ups. Mrs. Margaret Fecteau, divorced wife of the flier, said the Chinese Communists "were not lying" about his activities. Fecteau and John Downey were flying between Korea and Japan when captured.
India's Defense Secretary K. B. Lall said the Chinese Communists did not want to become militarily involved in the war between India and Pakistan.
Peiping established diplomatic relations with Iceland, which "took note" of the Chinese Communists' claim to Taiwan.
December 15
Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said in New York that he would "not rule out an early visit to Peiping" upon his return to Pakistan. The Pakistan People's Party in Karachi urged the government to send Bhutto to Red China to negotiate a defense pact.
Federico Alessandrini, a spokesman for the Vatican, said he has observed no change in Peiping's attitude toward the Roman Catholic Church. He said he has not been convinced by the arguments of the Rev. Louis Wei Tsing-sing that the Vatican could have diplomatic relations with the Chinese Communists.
Dr. Paul Dudley White, heart specialist who visited the Chinese mainland in September, said he heard rumors of an unsuccessful military coup while there. He was delayed in Canton three days en route to Peiping and was told Mao Tse-tung had gone into hiding.
John Stewart Service, who served in China as a diplomat during World War II, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that removal of U.S. forces from Taiwan and the moving of nuclear bombs to Guam could provide the basis for normalization of relations with Peiping. Testimony by Service and John K. Fairbank, Harvard historian, on July 21 was released by the committee.
December 16
Anthony Kubek, China specialist from the University of Dallas, told a Manila news conference that the United States "unilaterally called off the Asian cold war" without consulting its Asian allies. He said President Nixon's Asian policies posed big risks for the United States.
Japanese visitors to the Chinese mainland said guides told them air raid shelters in Peiping and Dairen could withstand even a nuclear bomb. One correspondent said more than 100 shelters seemed to be under construction in one district of Peiping. He told of being inside shelters "which resembled a submarine."
Foreign Minister Takeo Fukuda told a Diet committee Japan should apologize to the people of mainland China for "whatever trouble or inconveniences the Japanese caused them during the war."
People's Daily said Chinese Communist writers should borrow critically from classical and foreign literature with a view to creating a "new revolutionary socialist literature." This marked a 180o turn from the "cultural revolution."
New Zealand announced acceptance by the Chinese Communists of an invitation to send table tennis players to Wellington.
Peiping warned the world against treading "the wrong path of Munich and the League of Nations" through appeasement of India and the Soviet Union. U.N. diplomatic sources told of reports that Red China was massing troops along the Indian and Burmese borders.
December 17
The Chinese Communists charged India with incursions from Sikkim into Tibet. The Indians denied the intrusion.
December 18
U.N. Secretary-General U Thant canceled the accreditation of Central News Agency correspondents Lin Chen-chi and T. C. Tang upon the demand of the Chinese Communists. The action was protested by Ma Hsin-yeh, director of CNA, and the U.N. Correspondents Association. Correspondent accreditation does not depend upon the U.N. membership of the correspondent's or the agency's country. CNA is a private news agency serving the Republic of China and overseas Chinese newspapers.
President Nixon's armored car and three other White House vehicles will be airlifted to Peiping for the February visit, according to U.S. reports.
Chou En-lai said the fall of Dacca to India was the starting point of endless strife on the subcontinent.
President Nixon met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Presidential Press Secretary Ron Ziegler said the White House hoped the Soviet Union and Red China would cooperate to bring stability, peace and progress to the subcontinent in the wake of the India-Pakistan war.
December 19
Peiping diplomatic reports said the Chinese Communists were planning offensives against Soviet "expansionism" in India and Soviet influence in the Middle East. Some diplomats said the Chinese Communists had not expected Pakistan resistance to India would collapse so quickly.
Pravda accused Peiping of cooperating with Western defense alliances and "marching with the imperialists" during the India-Pakistan conflict.
Mao Tse-tung and Chou En-lai pledged all-out support of the Viet Cong on the 11th anniversary of the establishment of the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation.
Hungary's Communist Party newspaper charged the Chinese Communists were voting with the United States in the "great majority of cases" at the United Nations.
Chou En-lai conferred with Major General Khlid Hassan Abbas, vice president and defense minister of Sudan. Also present were "vice premier" Li Hsien-nien, "acting foreign minister" Chi Peng-fei and "deputy chief of general staff" Peng Sho-hui.
Canada will sell 117.6 million bushels of wheat to China in 1972 for US$195 million. Deliveries will start in January with 25 per cent of the price due when each vessel leaves port. The balance plus interest is to be paid within 18 months.
December 20
The U.S. State Department joined in protests against the disaccreditation of two CNA correspondents at the United Nations. American U.N. representatives took the matter up with the organization's legal representative and said other steps would be considered. The Foreign Press Association of New York also protested.
Red China objected to the credentials of the Khmer Republic in the United Nations General Assembly but did not insist on a vote. Peiping recognizes the Cambodian government-in-exile of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, who is residing in Red China.
Ross Terrill, Harvard University professor, wrote in Atlantic that Henry Kissinger had assured the Chinese Communists the United States would cut the size of its military forces on Taiwan before President Nixon's visit to Peiping. Terrill recently visited the Chinese mainland and talked to Red Chinese leaders.
December 21
Chou En-lai was quoted by Japan's Kyodo agency as saying that Asian tensions could be released only if the United States withdrew its forces from Indochina and stopped supporting Asian countries militarily. He was meeting with a group of Japanese in Red China to negotiate a private trade agreement. Chou suggested a fixed foreign exchange system between Red China and Japan. He added that it will not "be so easy" for the next Japanese cabinet to normalize relations with Peiping.
The Chinese Communists charged the Soviet Union of acting like an "international overlord" in the India-Pakistan conflict.
The Chinese Language Press Institute of Hongkong protested against the U.N. disaccreditation of CNA correspondents. The U.N. claimed that the CNA was the "official news agency of the government of the Republic of China." This did not accord with the view of either CNA or the ROC.
The Rev. Carl McIntire, president of the International Council of Churches, said the National Broadcasting Company was planning to include Mao thoughts on a Christmas eve children's program. NBC said the program included "a short clip of a Chinese girl singing. We don't know what she's singing because it is in Chinese."
The New York Times said dozens of Chinese in the United States had visited the mainland since the start of "smiling diplomacy." The number was estimated at more than 50. Some went as guests of the Peiping regime.
December 22
Washington denied U.S. agreement to reduce forces in Taiwan before President Nixon's visit to Peiping. The State Department said no conditions were attached to the invitation.
December 23
Rinjiro Harako, Japanese specialist on Chinese Communist affairs, said in Taipei that the military powder keg along the mainland-Russian border could be set off at the slightest provocation.
Secretary of State William Rogers said President Nixon is assuring Japan that no agreements contrary to Japanese interest will be made when he visits Peiping.
December 24
President Nixon's efforts to establish a dialogue with Peiping has led to ideological chaos on the mainland, Yeh Hsiang-chih, chief of the second section of the Kuomintang Central Committee, told the Mainland Recovery Planning Board in Taipei.
December 25
London sources said the Chinese Communists turned out to be a paper tiger in the India-Pakistan war. Lack of military strength was said to have kept Peiping from acting.