CONFIDENTIAL
policies which coincide in certain areas with those
what we espouse.
And while this coincidence may be
fortuitous, in the sense that we are not responsible
for it, the openings for us (and the benefits in terms of
Sino-British relations) cannot be overlooked.
20.
As self-proclaimed apostles of Marxism-Leninism the
view the Chinese take of the world is quite different
from our own. It follows that they will pursue policies,
such as the support of revolutionary movements in the
developing countries which are distasteful to our
convictions and hostile to our interests. The Chinese
like to describe themselves as motivated by principle.
There is however patently a conflict between some of
their principles. They talk of adhering to the five
principles of Peaceful Co-existence yet they also
support the principle of "proletarian internationalism"
under which they reserve the right to encourage
revolutionary movements abroad, even in countries with
which they maintain diplomatic relations. There is also
the fact that like all people deeply committed to an
ideology they feel the need to justify in terms of
principle actions which in fact spring from considerations
of interest and expediency. This notwithstanding,
recent trends in Chinese foreign policy point towards
a period during which the Chinese will put greater
stress on the five principles of Peaceful Co-existence
than on the principle of "proletarian internationalism"
In addition to the factors referred to in paragraph 16
aqbve, there are therefore good reasons for believing
that we can engage the Chinese in fruitful discussion
of matters of general international interest or/and
to transact useful business with them on matters of bi-
/lateral
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