Remarks on Castro’s[1] Proposal Concerning the Development of Sino-Cuban Relations
(August 19, 1959)

Comrades Enlai and Chen Yi[3]:

Has this matter been handled or not? It seems appropriate to send a politically minded comrade of a rank equivalent to minister or chargé d’affaires to Cuba in the capacity of branch chief or correspondent of the New China News Agency. Whether this is feasible, please consider.

[1] Castro, then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Cuba.

Mao Zedong
August 19

[2] This remark was written on a telegram dated August 4, 1959, from Yao Zhen, Vice Minister of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Foreign Affairs, and the International Liaison Department. The telegram stated that during their stay in Cuba, Castro received us twice. When discussing the relations between Cuba and China, he said that one should think further ahead and suggested finding a way to add a more important person from the Chinese side to the New China News Agency office in Havana, to serve as China’s unofficial representative body, carrying out propaganda and various liaison work. In this way, various tasks could be gradually set in motion, and when conditions are ripe, success will come naturally, making it possible to formally replace the embassy of the Chiang Kai-shek side in Cuba.

[3] Chen Yi, then Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs.