Participants: Mao Zedong, Pavel Yudin
Archive: Archive of the President of the Russian Federation
URL: https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/journal-ambassador-pavel-yudin-record-conversation-mao-zedong-8-january-1955

SECRET

Journal of Ambassador P.F. Yudin

Record of Conversation with Chairman Mao Zedong

8 January 1955

On 8 January, I was received by Chairman Mao Zedong at his residence in Zhongnanhai.

I informed Chairman Mao Zedong that I had requested the meeting in order to convey to him the greetings and best wishes from the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU and from Comrade N.S. Khrushchev personally.

Mao Zedong thanked me warmly for the greetings and asked me to convey to the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU and to Comrade Khrushchev his sincere gratitude and best wishes.

Then I informed Mao Zedong that I wanted to discuss with him several questions of interest to both of us. Mao Zedong answered that he was ready to listen to me.

First. I said that the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU is following with great attention the development of the international situation, and in particular the situation in the Far East. The situation in the Far East remains tense. The American imperialists are continuing their policy of provocation and pressure. The Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU believes that in the current situation it is necessary to strengthen in every way the unity and solidarity of all the countries of the socialist camp and of all peace-loving peoples in the struggle against the aggressive aspirations of the imperialist circles.

Mao Zedong stated that he fully agrees with this assessment of the international situation and that the Chinese government will do everything in its power to strengthen the unity and solidarity of the socialist countries in the struggle for peace and international security.

Second. I said that the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU is concerned about the situation that has arisen around the islands of Taiwan and other islands near the Chinese coast. The American imperialists are trying to use this situation to further their aggressive plans in the Far East. The Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU believes that it is necessary to take all possible measures to prevent the American imperialists from using the Taiwan issue as a pretext for further aggression in the Far East.


Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government is fully aware of the danger posed by the American imperialists' actions in the Taiwan area. He said that the Chinese government is determined to liberate Taiwan and all other islands near the Chinese coast. However, the Chinese government will strive to achieve this goal by peaceful means. At the same time, Mao Zedong emphasized that if the American imperialists continue their provocations and aggression, the Chinese government will be forced to resort to other means to liberate Taiwan and the other islands.

Third. I said that the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU is following with great attention the development of relations between the People's Republic of China and Japan. The Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU believes that the normalization of relations between the People's Republic of China and Japan would be of great importance for strengthening peace and security in the Far East.

Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government is interested in normalizing relations with Japan. However, he emphasized that the normalization of relations between the People's Republic of China and Japan is being hampered by the fact that the Japanese government is pursuing a policy of subservience to the American imperialists. Mao Zedong said that if the Japanese government were to pursue an independent policy and were to show a desire to establish normal relations with the People's Republic of China, the Chinese government would be ready to meet it halfway.

Fourth. I said that the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU believes that it is necessary to strengthen in every way the economic cooperation between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU is ready to continue to provide the People's Republic of China with all possible assistance in the development of its economy.

Mao Zedong expressed his sincere gratitude to the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU for its assistance. He said that the Soviet Union's assistance is of great importance for the development of the Chinese economy. Mao Zedong expressed confidence that the economic cooperation between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China will continue to strengthen and develop.

Fifth. I said that the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU believes that it is necessary to strengthen in every way the cultural cooperation between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU is ready to continue to expand cultural exchanges between the two countries.


Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of cultural cooperation with the Soviet Union. He said that the expansion of cultural exchanges between the two countries will contribute to the strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding between the Soviet and Chinese peoples.

After this, I asked Mao Zedong whether he had any questions or comments.

Mao Zedong stated that he would like to discuss with me several questions relating to the international situation and to the relations between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.

First. Mao Zedong asked me what the Soviet Union's attitude was toward the situation in Indochina.

I stated that the Soviet Union is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Indochina problem on the basis of the Geneva agreements. The Soviet Union believes that all the countries concerned should strictly adhere to the Geneva agreements and should refrain from any actions that could lead to a resumption of hostilities in Indochina.

Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government fully supports the Soviet Union's position on the Indochina issue.

Second. Mao Zedong asked me what the Soviet Union's attitude was toward the situation in Korea.

I stated that the Soviet Union is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Korean problem on the basis of the principle of the reunification of Korea on a democratic basis. The Soviet Union believes that all foreign troops should be withdrawn from Korea and that the Korean people should be given the opportunity to decide their own destiny without outside interference.

Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government fully supports the Soviet Union's position on the Korean issue.

Third. Mao Zedong asked me what the Soviet Union's attitude was toward the question of the admission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations.

I stated that the Soviet Union consistently supports the admission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations. The Soviet Union believes that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of the Chinese people and that it should occupy its rightful place in the United Nations.


Mao Zedong expressed his sincere gratitude to the Soviet Union for its support.

Fourth. Mao Zedong asked me what the Soviet Union's attitude was toward the question of the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan.

I stated that the Soviet Union is in favor of the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan. The Soviet Union believes that the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan would be of great importance for strengthening peace and security in the Far East. However, the Soviet Union believes that the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan should be based on the principle of respect for the legitimate rights and interests of all the countries concerned.

Mao Zedong stated that the Chinese government fully supports the Soviet Union's position on the question of the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan.

Fifth. Mao Zedong asked me what the Soviet Union's attitude was toward the question of the development of economic relations between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.

I stated that the Soviet Union is in favor of the further development of economic relations between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The Soviet Union believes that the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries will contribute to the strengthening of the economies of both countries and to the improvement of the living standards of the Soviet and Chinese peoples.

Mao Zedong expressed his sincere gratitude to the Soviet Union for its assistance in the development of the Chinese economy.

After this, Mao Zedong asked me whether I had any other questions or comments.

I stated that I had no other questions or comments.

In parting, Mao Zedong again asked me to convey to the Presidium of the Central Committee of the CPSU and to Comrade Khrushchev his sincere gratitude and best wishes.

The conversation lasted one hour and thirty minutes.

Ambassador of the USSR to the PRC P. Yudin