Comments on the Report on Changes in Attitude [I]
(July 1960)

Distribute for circulation. [2]

There has been a change in attitude, which precisely compels us to rely on our own efforts. Bad things will certainly turn into good things. Is that not so?

[1]
A telegram sent by the Chinese Embassy in the Soviet Union on July 18, 1960, to the Department of Soviet and European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a copy to Ambassador Liu Xiao, stated that since the publication of our three articles commemorating the 90th anniversary of Lenin’s birth, many signs have indicated that the Soviet Union has been politically cold toward us and has gradually adopted measures to exert pressure on us in economic cooperation, especially in cooperation and assistance on important and key projects. (1) In terms of foreign negotiations and political relations: Soviet leaders and the minister and vice ministers of foreign affairs have not once taken the initiative to separately seek out Ambassador Liu for discussions or to brief him on the situation. The director and deputy directors of the Far East Department of the Soviet Foreign Ministry have also very rarely taken the initiative to arrange meetings with the counsellors of our embassy. On two occasions, the chargé d’affaires of our embassy requested meetings with a vice minister of the Soviet Foreign Ministry but was evaded and refused. Important diplomatic documents have been delayed in delivery to our embassy, and routine negotiation matters have been repeatedly postponed. Our request last year to engage Soviet experts in the field of atomic energy has gone unanswered for several months despite repeated urgings. (2) In terms of external social activities: Deliberate coldness has been shown toward receptions held by our embassy; during visits organized by our embassy, no briefings were provided, and access to valuable items was denied; responses to our embassy’s invitations to film screenings were also unenthusiastic. (3) In terms of external propaganda: The Soviet side has shown no reaction whatsoever to the communiqués and propaganda materials issued by our embassy; Soviet newspapers and periodicals generally do not use the articles we supply and carry very little news concerning our country. (4) In terms of the professional work of various specialized units within the embassy: Difficulties, restrictions, and disputes have increased, and many agreements have been delayed without implementation; several cutting-edge national defense projects have been left unresolved for over a year; control over high, large, precision, advanced, and confidential projects has become increasingly tight; the management of external affairs contacts has become more centralized, and difficulties in negotiations have increased; relatively confidential academic conferences no longer invite Chinese personnel to participate.

[2]
Refers to distribution to comrades then attending the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Working Conference in Beidaihe.