(October 1, 1970)





Time: 10:15 PM on October 1, 1970
Place: The Tiananmen Gate Tower
Attendees:
Iranian Side—Rezvani, Hassan, Muhassen
Chinese Side—Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Kang Sheng
Interpreter: Wu Shuhu



(After the fireworks display on the evening of October 1, Premier Zhou Enlai introduced the delegation to Chairman Mao. Premier Zhou said to Chairman Mao, “These are our Iranian comrades.” Chairman Mao stepped forward a few paces and warmly shook hands with each of them.)

Chairman Mao (hereafter referred to as the Chairman): Iran is Persia; welcome.

Rezvani (hereafter referred to as Rez): (shouting in Chinese) Long live Chairman Mao!

The Chairman: (shaking hands with each of them one by one) Thank you, comrades.

Rez: Meeting Chairman Mao is our greatest encouragement.

The Chairman: (turning to Kang Sheng) How long have they been here?

Rez: A little over a month.

The Chairman: Stay as long as you like.

(Rez shouts in Chinese, “Long live Chairman Mao!”)

The Chairman: Long live the comrades! Hello, comrades; welcome.

Rez: To be able to meet you is our greatest inspiration. We will certainly strive to be your good students.

The Chairman: We are all comrades. We learn from you.

Rez: Long live Chairman Mao!

The Chairman: Thank you. You are very young; the future belongs to you. I am old and no longer capable.

(Rez and the others laugh and shake their heads, then shout in Chinese, “Long live Chairman Mao!”)

The Chairman: I wish you revolutionary victory!

(Rez shouts in Chinese, “Long live Chairman Mao!”) Chairman Mao once again shakes hands individually with two members of the delegation to bid them farewell, then takes a few steps forward, smiling and waving as he sees them off. Afterward, Premier Zhou Enlai leads them to Lin Biao, who rises from his seat to shake hands with them.)

Lin: Welcome!

Rez: Seeing Chairman Mao and you is our greatest encouragement. We will definitely act in accordance with Chairman Mao’s instructions.

Lin: You will gradually achieve revolutionary victory.

(Rez and the others shake hands with Lin to bid him farewell, then shake hands with Premier Zhou to say goodbye. Premier Zhou bids them farewell in English.)



Thanks to Ayana Sakura for collecting, entering, and proofreading.