Letter from John J. Hearne to Seán Nunan (Dublin)
(2/23) (Secret and Confidential) (Copy)

In a recent conversation which I had at the White House with Dr. Wellington Koo, he asked me whether our Government would think of establishing diplomatic relations with the Government of the Republic of China at Taipeh. He spoke at some length about the friendship between the Irish people and the people of China, and referred to Ireland’s well known stand against Communism.

I told the Chinese Ambassador that I would be very glad to inform you of our conversation and his request. I recalled to him, however, our conversation of the 12th December, 1952, on the subject of the suggested support of our Government for the continued representation of China by the Taipeh Administration in the International Communications Union, and our correspondence on the subject of the suggested support of the Irish Delegation to the International Labour Conference at Geneva by the Delegation of the Taipeh Administration. Please see in this connection my report of December 12, 1952.¹

[matter omitted]

I said that I would be very glad to place his views before you and inform him in due course of your attitude. He particularly desired that I should convey his respectful good wishes to the Taoiseach, and spoke of their friendly relations at Geneva during the last years of the League of Nations.