794A.5/4–1653: Telegram
No. 99
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the
Republic of China1
priority
848. Urtel 1094.2 For your information regarding obtaining formal Chinese Government commitments that its forces will not engage in offensive operations considered by the US to be inimical to the best interests of the US, immediate concern is that jet aircraft scheduled to be delivered Formosa will not be used against mainland without prior US consent. Department informed Radford already has informal understanding with President Chiang that Chinese Government will not radically alter pattern or tempo its current operations without prior consultation with him through Chief MAAG.
Therefore in replying to questions raised by Foreign Minister you may state that under commitment referred to above the US would expect to be consulted with regard to plans for any operations which would radically alter the pattern or tempo of current operations of the Chinese armed forces, including specifically any offensive use of aircraft.
In seeking such commitment you should if and when you consider it helpful inform Chinese Government that jet aircraft now scheduled early delivery Formosa can not be delivered until commitment [Page 192] obtained. In order avoid delay present delivery schedule early reply desirable.