(Q refers to the TASS correspondent, and “A” refers to Mao)
Q: What is the current situation like in China?
A: Military matters in China are going smoothly. At present, the Communist Party of China and the Central People’s Government of the People’s
Republic of China are switching to peaceful economic construction.
Q: How long will you be staying in the Soviet Union, Mr. Mao?
A: I plan to stay for a few weeks. The length of my stay in the Soviet Union
will be partly determined by the time it will take to resolve the various problems related to the interests of the People’s Republic of China.
Q: Would it be possible to learn what problems you have in mind?
A: Foremost among these are the matters of the current Treaty of Friendship
and Alliance between China and the Soviet Union,47 and of the Soviet Union’s

loan to the People’s Republic of China and the matter of trade and of a trade
agreement between our two countries. There are also other questions.
Furthermore, I also plan to visit various localities and cities in the Soviet
Union in order to gain a better understanding of economic and cultural construction in the Soviet state.
Source: People’s Daily, January 3, 1950.