Conversation with Syrian Journalists
(October 1, 1957)

Source: RMRB (Oct. 2, 1957), 1. Other Chinese Texts: XHBYK, 119 (Nov. 10,
1957), 3; URI (1976), p. 331. Available English Translations: NCNA, Daily News
Release (Oct. 3, 1957), 30; URI (1976), p. 333.

This conversation was held on the evening of October 1, 1957, the PRC’s National Day, at
the traditional fireworks display at Tiananmen Square. Mao was talking to the delegation
of journalists from Syria, who were present on the central rostrum of Tiananmen (see text
May 1, 1957, source note). The delegation was headed by Tawfic Yazji, chief of the
Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria. The RMRB news
report also contains indirect descriptions of other parts of the conversation. According to
it, Mao also met and spoke with Egyptian guests and young people visiting from the United
States.

The people of the whole world support you; they support your opposition to the
imperialists’ plots for aggression.¹ People are happy to see the unity among Syria,
Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. All the Arab peoples should unite.

Note
1. See text Sept. 19, 1957, note 3.