133. Editorial Note
On November 21, 1975, at 9:30 a.m., President Gerald Ford met in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Brent Scowcroft. On the subject of Ford’s upcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China, Kissinger observed that the Chinese Government was becoming more conciliatory. “We have stared them down. What they respect is firmness.” A few minutes later, Kissinger noted, “Without Congress, we would have the Soviet–Chinese triangle working again. I think we should tell the Chinese I am going to Moscow. The Soviet angle is what keeps the Chinese under control.” Ford responded, “When we hung tough on the Peking visit, it obviously worked.” (Memorandum of conversation; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Adviser Memcons, Box 16, November 1975–February 1976) Kissinger spoke on the telephone to Hugh Sidey of Time magazine on November 26 and told him that personal contact between U.S. and Chinese leaders was important, especially because Chinese “ambassadors have no authority.” (Transcript of telephone conversation with Sidey, November 26, Department of State, Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Telephone Transcripts)
On November 28, Ford, Kissinger, and Scowcroft met in the Oval Office. Ford said, “I think it [the trip to China] will be a good visit.” Kissinger replied, “It is an important visit. Why have they insisted on your coming? These are unemotional people. Our kicking them around in October really paid off.” (Memorandum of conversation, November 28, 9:30 a.m.; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Adviser Memcons, Box 16, November 1973–February 1976)