Overview

The volume focuses on the issues that primarily engaged high-level U.S. policymakers. Major topics include: 1) U.S. anticipation of the first Chinese nuclear explosion and the U.S. reaction when it took place in October 1964; 2) the attempts of U.S. policymakers to deal with the issue of Chinese representation in the United Nations; 3) U.S. relations with the Chinese Nationalists on Taiwan, especially the question of possible Nationalist operations against the mainland; 4) the ambassadorial meetings at Warsaw; 5) proposals to liberalize U.S. restrictions on travel to and trade with the China mainland; 6) the U.S. response to French recognition of the People's Republic of China; and 7) U.S. policy concerning Tibet.

The absence of U.S. diplomatic representation in the People's Republic of China increased the importance of intelligence on China. The editor included a selection of intelligence estimates and analyses seen by high-level policymakers, especially those that were sent to President Johnson, and made a particular effort to include a sampling of reports and analyses on the Cultural Revolution. Selected intelligence estimates and analyses on internal developments in Taiwan were also included.