Cable from Huang Zhen, 'Report regarding Asian-African Conference Issues'

Ke Hua’s work, forwarded to [Chen] Jiakang and Gong Peng

Priority: Special Rush

From: Indonesia

Date: 9 March 1955

Forwarded to: [Liu] Shaoqi, [Zhou] Enlai, [Deng] Xiaoping, Chen Yi, [Xi] Zhongxun, Foreign Ministry, [Wang] Jiaxiang, [Li] Kenong, Central Public, Xinhua News Agency, Central Propaganda Department, Foreign Commerce Department, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, [Liao] Chengzhi, [Hu] Qiaomu.

Report regarding Asian-African Conference Issues

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Report regarding the issues of the Asian-African Conference:

(1) Today according to the United Secretariat News Officer Ma-la-mi-si [sic]:

1. The first two days of the Asian-African conference will be occupied by the general assembly. The content of [the general assembly] will be passing the conference agenda, electing the chairman, electing the deputy chairman and forming various committees. Various delegation heads will give speeches, each delegation head will have twenty minutes for their speech. Meeting time each day will be for a total of six hours from 9 in the morning until noon, from 2 in the afternoon till 5. Generally meetings will not be held during the night, however if [a meeting at night becomes] necessary it can be decided then.

2. Each committee’s meeting will not be public meetings. Each committee will have a spokesperson or a three member journalist group to provide news to the [public].

3. ANTARA receives information from various international news agencies and reaction of various groups in Indonesia towards the Asian-African conference; [their reports are] provided free to the delegations of all countries (Every delegation receives a copy, delivered every morning).

(2) According to the Foreign Ministry social department head Ma-duo-yue [sic]:

1. There are many countries present at the Asian-African conference and the time is short; therefore in terms of [diplomatic] protocols, simplicity is sought after. Prime Minister Ali [Sastroamidjojo] will only be receiving the four prime ministers of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon at the airport. When Premier Zhou [Enlai] comes, Prime Minister Ali [Sastroamidjojo] will prepare to go to the airport to receive him (?) [sic]. Except, Prime Minister Ali [Sastroamidjojo] will be traveling to Bandung two or three days prior to the Asian-African conference. When Premier Zhou reaches Jakarta, Prime Minister Ali [Sastroamidjojo] will still be in Bandung, Prime Minister Ali [Sastroamidjojo] will be receiving people at the Bandung airport. Delegations from other countries will be received by the foreign minister or other ministers. When each country’s delegation head reaches Jakarta, the national anthem will not be played at the airport nor will there be a reviewing of honor guards. After a brief stay at the airport, they will be flown directly to Bandung. However if various delegations reach Jakarta after 5 in the afternoon, then they will stay in the South Sea Hotel or the Netherlands Hotel; they will be flown to Bandung the next day.

2. The night of the conference opening, the president will be holding a reception (buffet reception), and when the conference closes the five prime ministers will hold another reception. Other delegations generally will not hold receptions.

3. It has been said that this time the prime minister of Egypt may possibly mention officially visiting Indonesia. The prime minister of Burma may visit Bali and Sumatra Island.

4. The Indonesian foreign ministry may print and issue rosters of each country’s delegation. [Therefore they may] request us to provide the roster of our country’s delegates and reporters; indicating rank (and indicating gender)

5. If our country’s premier visits Indonesia then according to usual Indonesian practices they will have the prime minister personally receive [our premier]. Reviewing of the honor guard and playing of the national anthem will be done at the airport. Lodging will be at the presidential palace; the president will hold a state banquet; the prime minister will hold the official banquet and speak at the parliament.

Huang Zhen

9 March [1955]