On a cold spring morning in 1969, before the snow had melted on Treasure Island, gunfire and the roar of tanks rang out in the dense pine forest. This remote island on the border between China and the Soviet Union suddenly became a key fighting ground in the Cold War. Soviet border guards tried to occupy the territory for the third time in just a few months, each time ending with a resolute counterattack by Chinese troops. But this time, the situation seemed to be more tense, the actions of the Soviet troops were more intense, and there was even news that the Soviet Union was considering bombing with nuclear weapons.
The news detonated like a bombshell in the international community. The atmosphere of the Cold War is heating up again, and the eyes of the world are focused on this frozen island. But in this contest of weapons and political confrontation, an unknown role quietly intervenes - the United States. Although the relationship between China, the United States, and the Soviet Union was like a confrontation on a chessboard in public, why did the United States choose to support China behind the scenes?
Background of the Sino-Soviet Zhenbao Island conflict
In the early morning of March 17, 1969, the Soviet border guards organized a large-scale armed operation, aimed at Zhenbao Island on the Sino-Soviet border. In the gray morning light, Soviet troops sent a number of tanks and more than 70 infantrymen, who advanced along the frozen Ussuri River towards the island. The roar of tanks and the explosion of shells echoed through the silent borderlands, disrupting the otherwise tranquil surroundings.
In the face of a sudden invasion, the Chinese border guards reacted quickly. Despite the advanced equipment of the Soviet army, the Chinese border guards had a clear advantage in terrain and tactical use. Chinese forces skillfully exploited the island's natural features, such as dense woods and rocks, for concealment and ambushes. They set up machine-gun and mortar positions at key points on the island in preparation for the upcoming battle.
When Soviet tanks and infantry came within range of the Chinese troops, the Chinese border guards immediately launched a fierce counterattack. Machine guns and mortars were fired at all levels, creating an effective blow to the invading Soviet troops. The fire coverage of the Chinese army was precise, several Soviet tanks were forced to stop advancing, and some of the tanks were even hit and caught fire. The fighting between the infantry was also extremely intense, with Chinese soldiers taking advantage of the terrain and attacking the Soviet infantry from multiple directions, forcing them into a difficult situation.
In the fierce exchange of fire, the offensive of the Soviet troops was seriously thwarted. Due to the stubborn resistance of the Chinese border guards and the efficient execution of tactics, the morale of the Soviet troops gradually declined. The Soviet commanders, finding that the cost of continuing the offensive was too high and that they could no longer effectively break through the Chinese defenses, finally decided to retreat. Tanks and infantry, under the cover of a smoke screen, gradually withdrew from the battlefield, leaving behind the ground scorched by artillery fire and a few unexploded shells.
The battle for Treasure Island caused some physical damage, but more importantly, it sent a clear message on a political and military level. Through this operation, the Chinese border guards demonstrated a firm will and defense capability, and successfully safeguarded the integrity of the country's territory. This campaign was not only a powerful response to the Soviet Union's aggression, but also a clear signal to the outside world, especially the Soviet Union, that China was determined and capable of defending its territory from aggression. After the war, the environment on Zhenbao Island gradually returned to calm, but the tension on the border has not been completely reduced.
The nuclear threat and international tensions
After the 1969 conflict on Zhenbao Island, the leadership of the Soviet Ministry of Defense noticeably felt the pressure from the military confrontation. Although the military operation on the island eventually ended in the retreat of Soviet troops, the conflict caused widespread concern at the Soviet military and political levels.
After assessing the results of the conflict, the Minister of Defense of the USSR, Marshal Grechko, and his assistant Marshal Chuikov made an extreme proposal at an emergency meeting. During the meeting, they reported in detail on the military operation on Zhenbao Island and its results, noted the failure of the Soviet troops to achieve the expected victory, and highlighted the challenges faced in the current military standoff. They proposed to Brezhnev to use atomic bombs to bomb China's border areas, a proposal aimed at forcing China back down by demonstrating Soviet military might, while also trying to restore the Soviet Union's tough image in the international arena.
Grechko and Chuikov argue that traditional force has failed to effectively deter China, and that a nuclear strike could be a quick way to force China to compromise. In their proposal, they detail potential bombing targets and expected strategic effects, including the destruction of military facilities and psychological pressure on China's political leadership. In addition, they discussed possible international responses, particularly those expected from the United States and other Western countries.
This proposal provoked a heated discussion at the highest military and political levels of the USSR. Some senior leaders have expressed serious concerns about the proposal to use nuclear weapons, arguing that such a move could lead to a further deterioration in international relations and could even lead to nuclear war. The global political and environmental consequences of a nuclear attack were at the forefront of discussions, with some leaders emphasizing that even a limited nuclear strike could trigger unpredictable ripple effects.
Within the Soviet government, there was disagreement over whether nuclear weapons should be used. Some political advisers and military strategists warn that such actions could lead to a long-term confrontation with China and that the Soviet Union's image in the international community could be tarnished, especially in the eyes of non-ruling countries.
U.S.-Soviet diplomacy and nuclear strategy
After the proposal to discuss the use of nuclear weapons within the Soviet Union was not adopted, the Soviet government decided to communicate secretly with the United States in order to further assess the international response. The Soviet ambassador to the United States was urgently assigned to Washington, where he held an intensive meeting with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The purpose of the meeting was mainly to test the attitude of the United States to the possible Soviet Union to attack China with nuclear weapons and a possible response.
During the talks, the Soviet ambassador detailed the security challenges facing the USSR and the concerns of the Soviet military and political leadership after the events on Zhenbao Island. He hinted that the Soviet Union was considering a number of means to ensure the security of its borders, including the use of nuclear weapons in extreme cases. Despite the fact that it was not directly stated that the USSR would carry out a nuclear attack, the ambassador's rhetoric fully expressed the serious consideration of this option by the USSR.
Kissinger, having listened to the statements of the Soviet ambassador, was well aware of the seriousness of this information. As a global superpower, the United States must pay attention to the threat of any country using nuclear weapons. Kissinger cautiously responded by saying that the use of nuclear weapons by any country would lead to serious global consequences, and hinted that such an action could damage relations between the Soviet Union and the United States and provoke broader international instability.
Immediately after the talks, Kissinger reported to President Richard Nixon on the content of the conversation and its potential seriousness. Nixon was extremely concerned about this issue, realizing that if the Soviet Union did use nuclear weapons against China, it could lead to a fundamental change in the global strategic landscape. To that end, Nixon quickly convened a defense conference to discuss the U.S. response with the secretary of defense, national security advisers, and other senior military officials.
U.S. support and international equilibrium
The U.S. government knows very well that once the Soviet Union uses nuclear weapons, it will not only directly threaten China, but also have a huge impact on the security and stability of the entire East Asian region, and may lead to a nuclear war that is difficult to control. Such consequences run counter to the security interests of the United States and its Asian allies, and the U.S. government has decided to respond both strategically and diplomatically.
First, at the strategic level, the United States decided to strengthen secret communication with China to ensure transparency and support in security information between the two countries. The United States used its intelligence channels in Hong Kong and other diplomatic missions to establish a direct communication link through which the United States transmitted intelligence to China about the potential nuclear threat from the Soviet Union and discussed countermeasures. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense have assigned senior officials and military advisers, respectively, to engage in-depth with their Chinese counterparts to share intelligence and crisis management strategies to ensure that China is prepared for any potential threat.
At the same time, the United States assured China through various informal channels that it would provide all-round support, including military, in the event that the Soviet Union used nuclear weapons against China. This includes possible arms supplies, intelligence sharing, and political support within international organizations such as the United Nations. In this way, the United States hopes to strengthen its relationship of trust with China and demonstrate its leadership in Asian security affairs.
Secondly, at the diplomatic level, the United States sent a clear signal to the USSR. The United States, through its embassy in Moscow and through its exchanges at various international conferences, made it clear to the Soviet government that it would not rule out direct involvement in the conflict if the Soviet Union unilaterally used nuclear weapons. This diplomatic stance was carried out on multiple levels, including through secret diplomatic channels and public diplomatic statements, to ensure that the clarity and seriousness of the message could be understood by the Soviet leadership.
Speaking at a closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stressed that the use of nuclear weapons is a threat to all of humanity and called on the international community to work together to prevent unilateral nuclear action by any country. In addition, Kissinger secretly sent several senior diplomats to Moscow for a series of emergency talks with officials from the Soviet Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry, reiterating that the United States would take appropriate measures to protect its allies and its own security in the event of a Soviet nuclear strike.
China's military preparations and international influence
At the same time as the United States engaged in intense diplomatic interaction with the Soviet Union, China also took its own measures to counter the potential nuclear threat from the Soviet Union. In the face of a possible nuclear conflict, the Chinese government has decided to safeguard the country's security and territorial integrity by strengthening military preparations and diplomatic activities.
The Chinese army responded quickly and adopted a series of preparatory measures. PLA units throughout the country were called upon to be on alert, especially in the northeast, where military bases and facilities close to the borders of the USSR strengthened their defense capabilities. China has not only strengthened the readiness of its traditional armed forces, but also strengthened the construction and maintenance of its air defense system to ensure that it can respond to possible air strikes in the first place.
In addition, China has redeployed and intensified training its Strategic Missile Forces to ensure a prompt and effective response to any form of military aggression if necessary. In some key military command centers, China has added more advanced communications and intelligence equipment to ensure the effective operation of the military chain of command and rapid response capabilities.
At the diplomatic level, China has also shown a firm and positive attitude. Through various international forums and multilateral diplomatic activities, the Chinese Government has clearly expressed its determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China's diplomatic department has actively communicated with countries around the world, especially those in the non-allied movement, to explain China's position on the nuclear threat and seek the understanding and support of the international community.
In the United Nations and other international organizations, the Chinese delegation actively participated in the discussions, stressed the dangers of any country using nuclear weapons, and called on the international community to make joint efforts to prevent the outbreak of nuclear war. Through these international activities, China has not only strengthened its diplomatic relations with other countries, but also increased its influence in the international arena.
This resolute military and diplomatic action effectively demonstrates that China, as a rising power, is not only capable of defending itself, but also willing to actively participate in international affairs and contribute to the maintenance of world peace and security. This strategy of China has not only strengthened domestic unity and national pride, but has also won the sympathy and support of many developing countries internationally.
Li Yalan.The turn of China's foreign policy from the Zhenbaodao incident[J].Journal of Mudanjiang University,2010,19(6):70-72.)