Cable from the Chinese Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘On the Problem of Chinese Student Internships with the Mendeleev Russian University of Chemistry and Technology’

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cable

Level: Extra Urgent

From the Moscow Desk

Received (65) No. 1304

On the Problem of Internships for Students Studying Abroad at Mendeleev Russian University of Chemistry and Technology

To the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Concerning the problem of Chinese students studying abroad and interning at Mendeleev Russian University of Chemistry and Technology, the head of the Radioactive Chemistry Department (we have two students there) said on the 22nd, "Your internships have been canceled due to your recent behavior (meaning their anti-American parade).  This is a government decision."  On the afternoon of the 23rd, our students' representative sought out the schools' vice-dean Si-qie-po-nuo-fu [sic] and was told, "Arrangements still need to be made for the radiation, rare element technology, and isotope majors (in which we have eighteen students).  I don't know the situation of the radioactive chemistry major.  Once I understand the situation I will let you know."  He also said, "You should begin work on your graduation theses immediately.  If you don't do it (Note: The department notified our students that they will talk about the problem of their theses today, but they went instead to negotiate their internships and did not attend the department meeting) there will be administrative disciplinary action."

Our opinion concerning their internships is that the students should continue to negotiate with the school, but also receive their thesis topics and get to work preparing their theses.  Please reply with any instructions the Ministry may have.

[Chinese] Embassy in the USSR

23 March 1965