CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
C
13. It is unrealistic to expect the Chinese to renounce
their ideologically secure positions easily or quickly.
They need time to develop the flexibility needed for
effective political consultation and cooperation.
We should also remember, first, that the Chinese believe
passionately in principles and in obligations; they
Almost all
cannot often be shaken from a position of principle publicly
taken, nor will they publicly abandon those who have
depended on them in the past. Secondly they are also,
never let it be forgotten, Marxist-Leninists.
areas where we disagree with them can be attributed to one
or other of these factors. We are not necessarily ever
going to agree on some areas, although in the 30 years
since the founding of the PRC, Britain's withdrawal from
empire and concentration on Europe, and China's break with
the Soviet Union, have much reduced our areas of
disagreement and widened our areas of agreement.
changes in the future could work either for or against
increased understanding with China. At present there is
no reason to assume that the latter will apply. (though the
unlikely contingency of a Sino-Soviet rapprochement might
have that effect). We can only hope that by constant
exposure to our views and those of other Western
Governments the Chinese will gradually modify their
policies and where necessary take up positions less
unhelpful to our interests.
Political
14.
Meanwhile China's growing political, economic and
commercial weight is a fact of life which we cannot
ignore. Barring major setbacks to China's modernisation
programme, she will be more important in the world and
/therefore