Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 253 › Conversation 253-030

Nixon & Kissinger on People's Republic of China and Geopolitics

Wednesday, May 26, 1971 · 6:33 PM–6:42 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation253-030 on Tape 253 (tape position 02:46:49–02:48:30)StartWednesday, May 26, 1971 at 6:33 PMEndWednesday, May 26, 1971 at 6:42 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 253-030 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the strategic importance of U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China, emphasizing the Chinese leadership's long-range geopolitical thinking. Nixon contrasts this perspective with the more tactical approach of the Soviet Union while advising Kissinger on logistical arrangements for his potential upcoming trip to Asia. The brief consultation serves as a high-level assessment of the diplomatic climate regarding the administration's outreach to Beijing.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Anything men.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
I knew you would.
And at a later time, when you do meet him sometime, you'll just understand that, you know, you can tell he just has an understanding of the Chinese that's so deep.
You know, when he said, look, you know, whatever happens in China is going to affect
until all of Asia, one way or another.
He's really thinking in terms of, so many of our people don't even understand, they're looking for the whole place, or whether you recognize this one or that event.
And he's thinking long range terms, and he's thinking, you know, that's right.
Which may be an indication of what we're up against with that, too.
They are not nearly as tactical as we have found them, aren't you?
The Russians, I've heard of you taking all the cheap shots of the Russians, too.
And then when you, actually, if you do make the trip, you should, I mean, you want to stop someplace in the way that you might stop there for a day and take a day off.
Because the reason to stop is you sort of get over there and go, and everybody does it.
Tell me about it.
It's like a cat.
It's a cat.
And then the word must be out.
But can you hold it for one moment?
I think it's hoovering.
And I'll call you right back.

NARA Description

On May 26, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:33 pm and 6:42 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 253-030 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 253-30

Date: May 26, 1971
Time: Unknown between 6:33 pm and 6:42 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger

     An unidentified man

     People’s Republic of China [PRC]

     Kissinger’s schedule

     Canada

Also recorded on May 26, 1971

  • 003-140 6:33 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 6:33 pm.
  • 003-141 6:33 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:33 pm and 6:42 pm.
  • 253-028 6:33 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 6:33 pm.
  • 253-029 6:33 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:33 pm and 6:42 pm.
  • 003-142 6:42 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 6:42 pm to 6:46 pm.
  • 253-031 6:42 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:42 pm to 6:46 pm.
  • 003-143 6:46 PM · 1 min — Alexander P. Butterfield, White House operator, and Toni Sidley talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:46 pm and 6:50 pm.
  • 253-032 6:46 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:46 pm and 6:57 pm.

All 83 conversations from May 26, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 253-030, May 26, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/253-030 (accessed October 12, 2026).