The note appended to the report from the Chinese Embassy in Romania concerning interactions between envoys of fraternal socialist countries and those of Western nations〔1〕, dated October 1959, is worth reading; after perusing it, one should reflect upon its contents.·····To be read by Comrades Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Lin, Peng Zhen, Chen Yi, Jiaxiang, Qiaomu, Dingyi, Kang Sheng, and Boda〔2〕; upon completion, return to Mao.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft.
Notes 〔1〕 Refers to a report submitted by the Chinese Embassy in Romania to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 9, 1959, regarding the issue of diplomatic contacts between envoys of fraternal socialist states and those of Western countries.
The report stated that recently certain envoys of fraternal countries accredited to Romania have shown considerable interest in engaging with their Western counterparts, stressing the need to broaden contact with the West.
They believe that strengthening ties with Western diplomats would contribute to peaceful coexistence and the improvement of East–West relations.
To this end, they have divided tasks among themselves: on the one hand, they are working on our own embassy staff as well as on other fraternal missions, while on the other, they plan, through appropriate channels, to expand their engagement with Western diplomats stationed in Romania.
In response, we have made clear that peaceful coexistence must not entirely dispense with struggle; limited, measured contact may be permissible, but excessive expectations should be avoided. 〔2〕 Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi.
Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
Zhu refers to Zhu De.
Lin refers to Lin Biao, who at the time served as Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.
Peng Zhen was then a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and Secretary of the Secretariat.
Chen Yi was a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, concurrently holding the posts of Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Jiaxiang is Wang Jiaxiang, who at the time was Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat and Head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
Qiaomu is Hu Qiaomu, then an alternate member of the CPC Central Secretariat and Mao Zedong’s secretary.
Dingyi is Lu Dingyi, who at the time was an alternate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, head of the Central Cultural and Educational Leading Group, Minister of Propaganda of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council.
Kang Sheng was an alternate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and deputy head of the Central Cultural and Educational Leading Group.
Boda is Chen Boda, who at the time was an alternate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and Director of the Central Research Office on Political Issues.