Cable from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 'Zhou Enlai's Conversations with the Ambassadors of India, Indonesia, and Burma'

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Forwarded to Zhou [Enlai], Deng [Xiapeng], Xi [Zhongxun], and the Foreign Ministry (To Chen)

Main Points of the Conversation between the Premier and Ambassadors of India, Indonesia, and Burma

To Ambassador Yuan, Ambassador Yao, Ambassador Zhong, Ambassador Han: (Top Secret)

Before going to Geneva, the Premier [Zhou Enlai] met the Indian, Indonesian, and Burmese ambassadors to China on the 8th [of July 1954]. The main points of the conversation are as follows:

1. Premier [Zhou Enlai] told Indian Ambassador Nedyam Raghavan that he had already told Chairman Ho Chi Minh about his dialogue with [Jawaharlal] Nehru. Chairman Ho [Chi Minh] agreed and expressed his support for India to chair the Supervisory Committee. Premier [Zhou Enlai] then said: Returning peace to Indochina is possible, even though the United States tried to disrupt [peace] through many channels, but as long as both sides are sincere about seeking peace – the efforts of the United States will fail.

2. Premier [Zhou Enlai] told Indonesian Ambassador [Arnold] Mononutu that [he] regrets being unable to visit Indonesia this time due to time and travel constraints. [Arnold] Mononutu said that he hopes next time when [Premier Zhou Enlai] returns, there would be an opportunity for a visit to Indonesia. Premier [Zhou Enlai] said that it would not be possible since he had already accepted an invitation to visit Germany. The Premier said he is going to Germany on his return trip from Geneva, but said he hopes there would be other opportunities in the future to visit Indonesia. [Arnold] Mononutu said that the Indonesian government hopes for a similar agreement like the Sino-Indian and Sino-Burmese joint statements by premiers. Premier [Zhou Enlai] said that while he is in Geneva, the Indonesian Ambassador in Paris and the Indonesian Foreign Minister could meet with him and hopefully a mutual non-aggression pact or something along those lines could be negotiated and signed; perhaps the Indonesian side could consider this proposal. Regardless of form [of treaty], we will give careful consideration, though China hopes for a mutual non-aggression pact. [Arnold] Mononutu said that this is a good suggestion, he will propose to the Indonesian Foreign Minister to travel to Geneva as soon as possible. [Arnold Mononutu] also said that the Indonesian cabinet had previously discussed and studied this issue; the Indonesian government believes that such a bilateral agreement is most appropriate.

3. Premier [Zhou Enlai] told Burmese Ambassador U Hla Maung that he had already told Chairman Ho Chi Minh about his dialogue with U Nu, Chairman Ho is very satisfied. Premier [Zhou Enlai] also said that while he was in Burma, he discussed the issue of overseas Chinese in Burma with U Nu. Premier [Zhou Enlai] had told U Nu that this issue should wait until results arise from the question of nationality of overseas Chinese in Indonesia. On the question of the Sino-Burmese border: Premier [Zhou Enlai] told U Nu: this is an issue left behind by the old regime, we are willing and we should resolve this issue, but my government needs time to prepare. U Hla Maung then said someone is using the current situation to produce rumors in order to harm Sino-Burmese relations. Rumors claim that Chinese produced maps already incorporated Burma’s northern territories into China. Premier [Zhou Enlai] then said that China currently does not use the maps published by old China. In addition, since the People’s Republic of China has not surveyed the border before, to date there is still no map published [or endorsed] by the country. None of the current maps are approved by the Chinese People’s Government.

The above is specially reported.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10 July 1954