With respect to reciprocity, Habib said that he wanted to mention, for future consideration, the desirability of reciprocity in the type as well as the number of exchanges.
Habib said that to avoid any misunderstanding he would like to compare the detailed list of exchanges. He then read the CSC and National Committee lists. There was a brief discussion about whether the National Committee's proposal was for a delegation consisting solely of the Council on Foreign Relations or whether it would include other world affairs organizations, with Lin maintaining the former position.
Mr. Habib said that both the CSC and the NC have suggested other possible exchanges for 1975. We hope that we can tell them that the Chinese will take these additional proposals under consideration for example, a visit to the U.S. by a group of Chinese municipal officials was on the 1974 list but was not implemented. Also the NC would welcome a delegation from the Chinese People's Institute for Foreign Affairs. Regarding Congressional delegations, we agree with Lin that these are a great help and in the spirit of the Shanghai Communique. Regarding Lin's suggestion that some women members of Congress could be included in a Congressional delegation, those members will appreciate the Chinese interest in them. With respect to the one Congressional delegation which Lin mentioned, we assume that the figure of 15 did not include staff. It might be more fruitful to divide this number into two groups rather than having them all in one. Could the Chinese side consider this? There is also the question of wives. We can pursue the matter of a Congressional group later but perhaps two groups would be more useful.
Habib said that we will inform the two committees of Chinese views. The dialogue on these exchanges can be continued in Washington and Peking.
He then noted that Lin Ping had said that the Chinese would review our proposals about Congressional visits, the White House Fellows and an environmental exchange. We hope that on the latter two it might be possible to maintain the principle of reciprocity for example, White House Fellows going to China and a delegation of young Chinese leaders going to the U.S. would be an excellent pairing.
SECRET/NODIS
