Bush George H. W.

George H.W. Bush, U.S. Envoy to People's Republic of China, Great Letter with Chinese Chop Mark!

1p autograph letter signed by George H.W. Bush (1924-2018), then Chief of the United States Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China, as "George" at lower right. Written in Peking [Beijing] on November 23, [1974-1975]. On watermarked cream stationery with "George Bush / United States Liaison Office / Kuang Hua Lu, 17, Peking / People's Republic of China" letterhead. A 1.25" square chop mark in red ink appears at the bottom near Bush's signature. Expected paper folds, and faint scrapbook adhesive impressions verso, else very good to near fine. 6.375" x 8.5".

George H.W. Bush wrote career American diplomat Philip Habib (1920-1992):

"Dear Phil -

Smile!!

See you soon -

Bring me some free advice when you come to China - I need it.

All goes well!

Best -

George".

George H.W. Bush had been appointed Chief of the United States Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China in the fall of 1974; he served in this post for 14 months before assuming the Directorship of the C.I.A. in January 1976. Bush's role in China was ambassadorial, though he lacked an official title since the United States and China had suspended diplomatic relations many years prior. Yet recent covert political overtures suggested an imminent thawing. Whereas before communication between the ideologically opposed countries had been confined to envoys, Eastern European intermediaries, or American and Chinese athletes (ex. the "ping-pong diplomacy" of 1971), sister liaison offices were established in Peking and Washington, D.C. in 1973. The United States Liaison Office became defunct on January 1, 1979 when it was replaced by open--and official--diplomatic channels.

Bush's correspondent Philip Habib was extremely well-versed in Asian affairs, having served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1967-1969. From 1971-1974, Habib served as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, where his diplomatic skills are credited with averting the assassination of South Korean statesman Kim Dae-jung. Habib would go on to serve as Assistant Secretary of East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1974-1976. Thus, George H.W. Bush was asking advice from the right person, one intimately knowledgeable of the international politics of this region.

Philip Habib had joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1949; he served in South Korea, South Vietnam, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada, New Zealand, and the Middle East. The New York Times eulogized Habib as "the outstanding professional diplomat of his generation in the United States."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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