Participants: Mao Zedong, P.F. Yudin
Archive: Archive of the President of the Russian Federation
URL: https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/journal-p-f-yudin-record-conversation-mao-zedong-11-october-1957

from the journal

of P. F. Yudin

RECORD OF A CONVERSATION

with Cde. Mao Zedong

11 October 1957

Today Mao Zedong invited me to visit the Indian exhibition in Peking with him. Liu Shaoqi was at the exhibition together with Mao Zedong. Indian Ambassador [SIC] Nehru accompanied the Chinese leaders at the exhibition.

The conversation which was held at the exhibition between Mao Zedong and myself touched mainly on the Soviet ballistic missile and the artificial Earth satellite. Mao Zedong displayed special interest in the flights of the satellite and spoke enthusiastically about the significance of this event. He said that "the balance of power in the international arena has solidly changed in our favor". Mao Zedong said, the imperialists will obviously not risk beginning a war against us right now since it is not known what "the satellite will say about this". He expressed confidence in the success of Soviet scientists about the launch of larger and more modern satellites.

During the conversation Mao Zedong asked me when the record of the conversation between N. S. Khrushchev and Reston would be published. After hearing my reply, Mao Zedong said that they are translating this material into Chinese right now. I passed the main content of the conversation to Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong listened to the information with interest and spoke approvingly to N. S. Khrushchev's conversation. In this connection he declared with enthusiasm, "Things are going very well with you in the Soviet Union". After the missile, the satellite, and the defeat which they have inflicted on the Americans it has become easier and happier not only for you but for all of us".

Turning then to the Indian Ambassador, he said, "We all cordially congratulate and thank the Soviet government and the Soviet people for these great things which they have achieved".

During the conversation Mao Zedong repeatedly talked of the friendship between China and the Soviet Union in Nehru's presence and expressed the gratitude of the Chinese people to the peoples of the USSR.

Mao Zedong was in a good, elated mood and often joked.

After Mao Zedong left I remained with Liu Shaoqi to see the remaining halls of the exhibition. Then at his invitation together with him I visited and inspected the newly-built Peking Planetarium.

The conversation was interpreted by Embassy First Secretary O. B. Rakhmanin.

Soviet Ambassador in the PRC /P. Yudin/