Lee Kuan Yew and Richard Nixon exchange views on China's future, April 10, 1973

On April 10, 1973, President Richard Nixon met in the Oval Office with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore Ambassador to the United States Ernest S. Monteiro and Henry Kissinger also attended. This meeting was captured by recording devices in the Oval Office.

In this conversation segment, President Nixon and Prime Minister Lee discuss the future of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Lee comments on China's trade relations and national security policy, including ambitions for second-strike capability. Lee contrasts PRC attitudes toward the United States with attitudes toward the Soviet Union. President Nixon addresses the balance of power in Asia, mentioning Soviet influence, India-Pakistan, North Vietnam, and Japan. President Nixon suggests the potential attractiveness of positive US-China relations.

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The Nixon Presidential Library has prepared captions, which may be accessed through the Closed Caption button. The National Archives does not guarantee the accuracy of these captions.

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AUDIO RECORDING

Conversation 892-009, Audiotape 892 (NARA Identifier #7450051), Oval Office Sound Recordings, White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, College Park, MD and Yorba Linda, CA.

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IMAGE

WHPO-E-0589-14A, White House Photo Office Photographs (NARA Identifier #194277), Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, College Park, MD and Yorba Linda, CA.

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