Date

Feb 14, 1980

Description

The U.S. opening to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1978-1979 was another landmark accomplishment of the Carter administration and is treated in several records published in the National Security Archive’s latest publication. In this flattering memo to President Carter assessing his administration’s China policy, former NSC staffer Michel Oksenberg says that he feels “confident future historians will see your China policy as the most enlightened and effective one our country every had.” Oksenberg cautions Carter not to play “the so-called ‘China card,’” advising him to avoid using China “tactically” in the U.S.-Soviet confrontation. He suggests that Carter carefully plan the next phase of China policy: “We have reached the end of the road map, and if we are to avoid the ‘ad hockery’ that plagues us elsewhere, you must demand now that planning begin for your second term.” Carter’s marginal annotation reads: “We should not push now for new achievements with PRC.”

Source

Jimmy Carter Library, NLC-128-10-3-6-9

Document published in following posting(s):

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Carter Years, 1977-1981

Dec 14, 2023

Memorandum for President Carter from Michel Oksenberg, “China Policy: Accomplishments and Tasks Ahead,” Top Secret, February 14, 1980, 3 pp. (attached to Memorandum for President Carter from Zbigniew Brzezinski, “NSC Weekly Report #129,” Secret, February 15, 1980