Amid a discussion of trade in 1973, Chinese leader Mao Zedong made what Secretary of State Henry Kissinger called a novel proposition: sending tens of thousands, even 10 million, Chinese women to the United States.

"You know, China is a very poor country," Mao said, according to a document released by the State Department's historian office.

"We don't have much. What we have in excess is women. So if you want them we can give a few of those to you, some tens of thousands."

"It is such a novel proposition," Kissinger replied in his discussion with Mao in Beijing. "We will have to study it.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/14/chinese.women.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview