Record of Conversation between the Mongolian People’s Republic Government Delegation and the Deputy Chairman of the People’s Republic of China State Council, Foreign Minister Chen Yi

Record of Conversation between the Mongolian People's Republic Government Delegation and the Deputy Chairman of the People's Republic of China State Council, Foreign Minister Chen Yi,
30 September 1964


RECORD OF CONVERSATION
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Content: Regarding the meeting between the MPR government delegation and the deputy chairman of the PRC State Council, Foreign Minister Chen Yi.

The meeting took place in the meeting hall of the People's National Congress on 30 September [1964] between 10:25 and 11:00am.

Participating from the Mongolian side were: head of the delegation S. Luvsan, members of the delegation Jalan-Aajav, Tsevegmid, Dagva, Gurbazar, interpreters Dunger-Yaichil, Gursed; from the Chinese side: deputy chairman of the State Council Deng Zihui, deputy foreign minister Lu Shing Chuan, deputy head of a foreign ministry department Zhan Su Yuan (assistant), section head Huan Shi Wen (assistant), interpreters Baatarsan and Wen Wen Huan.

The conversation between S. Luvsan and Chen Yi was translated by Baatarsan.

When the Mongolian government delegation entered the meeting hall, each person was greeted by Chen Yi, Deng Zihui, Lu Shing Chuan and others who lined up inside the doors and shook hands with everyone, inviting them to take seats.

Chen Yi: Did you rest well?

Luvsan: [We] had a good rest.

Chen Yi: I've been very busy lately. You have been to Beijing before, you know the situation. We express gratitude to the Mongolian Party and the government, to comrade Tsedenbal for sending their own important delegation to participate in our celebrations.

Tonight at 6 pm Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Song Qingling, Dong Biwu and others will receive delegations, which came to participate in the celebrations. Then there will be a state banquet. The main hosts of the banquet will be Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Song Qingling and Dong Biwu. You are esteemed guests at the banquet, I will be seating with you; delegations from over 70 countries and 300 organizations will participate in our celebrations. Tomorrow delegations will see a parade and fireworks. On the night of 2 October, you would be interested to see the 3,000-people concert. We have a plan [for you] until 2 October. After that, we will be sending delegations to the countryside as they wish.

How is the health of comrade Tsedenbal and other leaders?

Luvsan: Everyone is fine.

Chen Yi: Grain harvest has been good this year, hasn't it?

Luvsan: This year the rain has been good, currently about 50% of grain has been harvested.

This year [we] should take a total of 350 thousand tons of grain.

Chen Yi: Then you will have a great harvest.

Luvsan: Every man, every resource and machines are being used in the harvesting, we believe we will take the harvest well. But you are probably aware of the workforce shortage problem.

Thank you for inviting the MPR delegation to the celebrations of the 15th anniversary since the establishment of the PRC. We are happy to have come to participate in your celebrations. I will convey greetings from you to our Central Committee, government and comrade Tsedenbal. We are happy to participate in your parade, reception and a big concert. We are able to participate in the activities you have planned for until the 4th. We intend to go back on the 4th. Thank you for your invitation to go and see China's countryside. But now the harvesting works are in full swing, and several people among those of us who came here, participate in the taking of harvest. A delegation led by the 1st secretary of our Central Committee, Prime Minister comrade Tsedenbal is going to participate in the GDR celebrations. That's why it is necessary for us to go back fairly quickly. Using the occasion of meeting with you, I would like to convey greetings from Prime Minister Tsedenbal to Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. However, if I happen to meet with [Zhou Enlai] personally, I will convey them myself. This time let me pass them with you in advance.

Chen Yi: Thank you. I will certainly pass them on. However, today you will certainly meet with Zhou Enlai yourself. As you are all busy, I will not say much. But I would like to talk about one matter. Our two countries are both independent socialist states. With the conclusion of a border treaty between our two countries, this part of the problem has been fully resolved. Recently, awkward questions emerged with regard to territorial aspects. Citations in the Japanese and Western press have caused a scandal. These publications are very confused. We do not understand why the Soviet comrades are raising this question. Not only that, our old friend [Soviet leader Nikita S.] Khrushchev put to us the question of why don't we return Hong Kong and Macao. This is certainly a territorial question. We will get back both Hong Kong and Macao, this temporary problem is connected with England and America. Returning Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao is not a matter of one day, we will return them when the time comes. Territory-wise, there is a dispute between us and the Soviet Union. There were Sino-Soviet border talks, but they were not completed successfully (ha, ha – his laugh was forced and false). The dispute emerged, and it will continue, but unity is important. Disputes are not dangerous to human life. This is only a struggle by pen. Our parties and states must be friendly and close. You are participating in our celebrations. We will participate in whatever celebrations you have. The American imperialists are encroaching upon South East Asia. This is a difficult problem to solve. But contradictions between socialist states can be resolved. We are carrying out a policy of peaceful coexistence. However, if the enemy encroaches, we will not sit by idly. Friendship exists between fraternal countries and disputes arise. These arguments are a sign of politeness friendliness. Your country does not want to seize others, our country also does not want to seize others. That's why we must respect each other's independence. We are not giving a written reply on this subject [now]. Soon we will provide you with an official reply.

We have disagreements with the Soviet comrades over some questions since the 20th and the 22nd [party] congresses. These will probably be resolved. We are happy that the Soviet Union has sent a delegation to our celebrations. It is possible to strengthen friendliness between fraternal countries. Therefore, the contradictions between socialist states should be distinguished from the contradictions between the socialist and imperialist countries.

You left China in 1959?

Luvsan: Yes.

Chen Yi: Nothing special has happened since then. Please, excuse me. I am very busy. Now I am meeting guests at the airport, so I have to go.

Luvsan: Excuse me. Since you talked about these things, I can't help but mention one matter. Thank you for finding time to meet with us when you are so busy. Our states are independent socialist countries. We agree with what you said that we have resolved our border questions. However, many overseas agencies published the story about Mao Zedong's talk with the Japanese socialists. It is regrettable that you and we understand these publications differently. When we looked at those things [the words of Mao Zedong?] we were truly amazed and felt regret. You, comrades, did not make clear whether this talk was true or false. You said that an official reply will be given. From your talk we understand that what he said is not true. You said that [our relations] are comradely and friendly and this needs to be strengthened. We also try hard to strengthen friendship.

Chen Yi: Right, I will give one answer. We must resolve territorial disputes on the basis of principles of Marxism-Leninism. When I received the German and Polish delegations, they were very surprised by this. It is correct to resolve friendly these questions between the socialist countries. The Japanese newspapers published very confusing things. Afterwards, we will provide an official reply regarding this.

In terms of the questions raised by Khrushchev regarding Macao and Hong Kong, to this also an answer will be given. For example, whilst returning Taiwan or Hong Kong is extremely difficult, the question with Macao is not too bad. Generally, territorial disputes emerge in relations between countries. These must be resolved on the basis of Marxism-Leninism. For example, our two states have already established a border. Now, there is no question in this regard. We will be friendly henceforth.

Luvsan: National freedom and independence of states should be respected. You are saying that contradictions between socialist states should be resolved. What you are saying is correct. That's why there should be called at once the preparatory meeting of the 26 parties and the meeting of the communist and workers' party to discuss the questions of difference and root out arguments. We consider that this meeting is very important for mutual understanding and for the strengthening of unity… (he wanted to continue talking)

Chen Yi: “Right”.

[Chen Yi] smiled and every person who participated in the talks and the support personnel proceeded towards the doors out of the meeting hall and had their picture taken at a specially prepared platform.

Chen Yi, Deng Zihui, Lu Shing Zhuan and others shook hands, bidding farewell to every
member of our delegation, and with this [the meeting] ended.

Recoded by:

/D. Tsevegmid/

/O. Gursed/

Reviewed by:

/S. Luvsan/

[Signature]