Record of Talks Between Chairman Mao Zedong and Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto (May 27, 1976)
Record
(Not Reviewed by Chairman Mao)
[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1928–1979), a Pakistani statesman who served as both Prime Minister and President, was the founding leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party. He was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations in 1957. Following Ayub Khan’s coup in 1958, he became Minister of Commerce. In 1963, he was named Foreign Minister, during which time he strove to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Western powers and to strengthen relations with China. He resigned in 1965 and established the Pakistan Peoples Party. Later, Ayub Khan’s government was overthrown by General Yahya Khan. After East Pakistan seceded to become Bangladesh, Yahya Khan transferred power to Bhutto on December 20, 1971. As President, Bhutto nationalized key industries and imposed taxes on landowners. In 1973, he resumed the post of Prime Minister while also serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Interior.]


Time: 8:35 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., May 27, 1976


Place: Zhongnanhai


Attendees:


Pakistani Side—Minister of State for Defense and Foreign Affairs Aziz Ahmed


Chinese Side—Hua Guofeng


Interpreter: Ji Chaozhu


Recorder: Zhang Tiegeng


(Chairman Mao cordially shakes hands with Prime Minister Bhutto)


Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto (hereinafter referred to as Bhutto): I am very pleased to meet Chairman Mao.


Chairman Mao: Welcome.


(Chairman Mao shakes hands with Mrs. Bhutto)


Mrs. Bhutto: It is a great honor to meet the Chairman.


(Chairman Mao shakes hands with Minister Aziz Ahmed. Mrs. Bhutto bids farewell to the Chairman, who then invites Prime Minister Bhutto and Minister Aziz Ahmed to be seated.)


Chairman Mao: How are you?


Bhutto: I am well, thank you, Chairman.


Chairman Mao: I am not doing so well—my legs are not good, and my speech is not very clear. (Pointing to Prime Ministers Bhutto and Hua) How have your talks been going?


Bhutto: Our discussions have proceeded very smoothly. We have already held two rounds of talks, covering a wide range of issues. Our views are basically in agreement.


Chairman Mao: That is good.


Bhutto: We will continue our deliberations. Before I go any further, I would like to say that Chairman Mao has taken the time to receive both myself and my foreign minister, which deeply moves me. I clearly recall that when I came to Beijing in 1963 to sign the border agreement, the Chairman received me. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to meet the Chairman on several occasions. I wish the Chairman good health and long life.


Chairman Mao: I am not well.


Bhutto: Nevertheless, the Chairman has made great historical achievements. The Chairman has held high the banner of the people’s revolutionary struggle.


Chairman Mao: Not much has been accomplished. How is Pakistan faring?


Bhutto: The situation within Pakistan is very good. Over the four years since I assumed the office of Prime Minister, we have made significant progress and are strengthening national unity. Thanks to the friendly assistance of fraternal countries, especially China, we have been able to achieve substantial advances. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this, as it reflects the firm friendship between China and Pakistan.


Chairman Mao: Very good.


Bhutto: I can assure you that we will never allow Soviet hegemony to dominate Pakistan. Although they have exerted considerable pressure on us, with China’s support we have stood firm. Our people have united in resistance. The Soviet Union is eager to gain access to our warm-water ports, but we will not let them succeed. They come from a cold climate; how could we possibly allow them into a warm maritime region?


Chairman Mao: Exactly!


(Pointing with his finger at Prime Ministers Hua and Bhutto) You may proceed with your talks.


Premier Hua: Very well. Prime Minister Bhutto has already discussed some matters with me. For other issues requiring the Chairman’s instruction, I shall seek his guidance later. Shall we conclude our meeting here today?


(Prime Minister Bhutto and Minister Aziz Ahmed rise to take their leave, and Chairman Mao shakes hands with the foreign guests as they bid farewell.)


Bhutto: Thank you very much.