961.53/6–2454: Telegram
No. 224
The Ambassador in the Republic of
China (Rankin) to the Department of
State
priority
711. Embtel 702.1 Two Chinese destroyer escorts at 8 a.m. local time June 23 stopped and boarded Soviet tanker Tuapse midway [Page 484] between Luzon and Formosa. After tanker crew sitdown strike of several hours vessel was brought into Kaohsiung 7 a.m. June 24.
Second Soviet tanker Leningrad identified off coast Indochina following same course as Tuapse.
Chinese Navy awaiting arrival Leningrad and expects take over vessel late afternoon June 25.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yeh informs me he opposed any seizure Soviet vessels on high seas and his view had concurrence Chief Staff General Chou Chi-jou.