Mao claims that, as a result of Tanaka's visit to China, "the whole world is trembling in fear." In addition to discussing international politics, Mao and Tanaka also delve into ancient Chinese history and Buddhist philosophy.
September 27, 1972
Mao Zedong, 'Settlement of the Questions of Restoration of Diplomatic Relations between China and Japan Still Depends on the Government of the Liberal Democratic Party'
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解决中日复交问题还是靠自民党的政府
(一九七二年九月二十七日)
你们到北京这么一来，全世界都战战兢兢。主要是一个苏联，一个美国，这两个大国。它们不大放心了，晓得你们在那里捣什么鬼啊。
美国好一点，但也有一点不那么舒服，说是他们今年二月来了没建交，你们跑到他们前头去了，心里总有点不那么舒服就是了。
可以几十年、百把年达不成协议，也可以在几天之内解决问题。
现在彼此都有这个需要，这也是尼克松〔246〕总统跟我讲的。他问是否彼此都有需要，我说是的。我说，我这个人现在勾结右派，名誉不好。你们国家有两个党，据说民主党比较开明，共和党比较右。我说民主党不怎么样，我不赏识，不感兴趣。我对尼克松说，你竞选的时候，我投了你一票，你还不知道啊。
这回我们也投了你的票啊。正如你讲的，你这个自民党主力不来，那怎么能解决中日复交问题呢?
所以有些人骂我们专门勾结右派。我说，你们日本在野党不能解决问题，解决中日复交问题还是靠自民党的政府。
根据谈话记录稿刊印。
* 这是毛泽东同日本内阁总理大臣田中角荣谈话的一部分。
SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF RESTORATION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN STILL DEPENDS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY[1]
(September 27, 1972)
This visit of yours to Beijing makes the whole world tremble with fear, chiefly the two big powers, the Soviet Union and the U.S. They are rather anxious about this: God knows what trick you are playing.
The U.S. is a bit better, but still feels uncomfortable, saying that President Nixon came to China in February without being able to establish diplomatic relations, but now you have gone ahead. So it is just a little uneasy.
An agreement may not be reached after decades, even 100 years, but can also be settled within a few days. Both sides have this necessity at present, this being told me by Nixon246 himself. He asked me if we had this necessity or not; I answered affirmatively. I said, "I have a bad reputation because I am now collaborating with rightists," and further said, "There are two political parties in your country, the Democratic Party, which is alleged to be relatively enlightened, and the Republican Party, which is rather rightist. But I hold that the Democratic Party isn't up to much; I don't appreciate it and am not interested in it." I told Nixon, "I voted for you when you ran for President. You still don't know."
I also voted for you this time. Just as you said, how could the question of restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan be settled if you—the mainstay of the Liberal Democratic Party—didn't come?
That's why some people blame us for collaborating solely with rightists. I maintain that the party not in office is unable to solve any problem. The settlement of the question of restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan has to depend on the government of the Liberal Democratic Party.
(From the verbatim record)
[1] These are excerpts from Mao Zedong's talk with Tanaka Kakuei, Prime Minister of Japan.
Mao met with Tanaka Kakuei, the Prime Minister of Japan, and he argued that settlement of the question of restoration of diplomatic relations between China and Japan still depends on the government of the Liberal Democratic Party.
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Translation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Party Literature Research Center under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, eds., Mao Zedong on Diplomacy (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1998), 453.
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2013-11-04
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