Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Germany, 'The Opinion of the Former First-Secretary of the German Embassy in China on Sino-German Differences'

The opinion of the Former first-secretary of the German Embassy in China on Sino-German differences

The International Department of the CCP Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

On April 2, Sachs, former first-secretary of German Embassy in China (now working for the Film Bureau of the East German Ministry of Culture) met Li Zaize, a Cultural attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Germany (a long-time acquaintance) on the road.  He initiated a conversation to talk about the division issue.  He said: “I have my own opinion, different from our own party line. The division should not be publicly debated.  It’s not all right that the Sixth National Party Congress of German Socialist Unity Party exacerbated this tension.  When I was in China, it was the time when the People’s Daily published ‘On the Historical Experiences of Proletarian Dictatorship.’  I agree with my Chinese comrades’ opinion.   You should not publicly criticize Comrade Stalin in front of the enemies, entailing dreadful consequences.”  “I also remember that when former ambassador [Richard] Gyptner (1955-1958) presented credentials to Comrade Mao, he spoke of ‘peace,’ and ‘fight for peace.’  Mao indicated that ‘if imperialism launches a war, we are not scared of it.’  It is obvious that there was a difference of opinion. When Ulbricht visited China, he said that the Chinese situation differed from Europe, as China had its own experiences and culture.  You could also see the divergence of opinion here.  Only back then the discussion was not fully developed.”  “People said Yugoslavia has changed.  I think it has changed.  But Khrushchev should not have ignored the Moscow Declaration (1957), and he should not have refused to discuss and investigate with fraternal parties either.  It’s not right for Khrushchev to adopt such an attitude toward Yugoslavia presumptuously.  I have been to Yugoslavia on a business trip.   The Yugoslavian people are revolutionary, but not the leaders.  I smell more of the odor of Western world, the odor of Capitalism.  Some people say that China is adventurist.  I said, “if so, China would have conquered Taiwan, and gobbled up Hong Kong long time ago.” “It’s unimaginable to harbor doubts against Comrade Mao Zedong and toward such a great country which experienced revolution.”  It seems that many people have looked at the issues rather clearly.

Chinese Embassy in Germany

April 4, 1963