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students thought that only stability could bring development
and secure China's integrity. The Chinese had said that
they had two lessons to learn from the Russians, namely the
revolutions in 1917 and in 1991. The Russians believed that
anarchy in China would be a tragedy. As living standards improved some political reform was inevitable. In their view the Chinese would continue to pursue economic reform
pragmatically. To them it was important not to lose face.
17. Mr Afanasiev commented that Jiang Zemin had an important power base in Shanghai. When planning Mr Gorbachev's trip to China the Chinese had insisted that he go to Shanghai to see Jiang. Deng Xiaoping had told
Gorbachov that Jiang would be the core of the future
leadership. The Russians conclusion was that leadership moves were extremely well planned and calculated. The next leadership was now being put in place in second tier
positions. The Russians were anxious to see China as a prosperous and successful power but they could not rule out
tendencies to expansionism.
18. Sir John Coles asked what sort of man Jiang Zemin was.
Mr Solovyev said that he had met him during a visit to
Moscow. Jiang had worked in the Zil car factory for a year, coincidentally alongside the present Chinese Foreign Trade Minister, Li Lanqing. Jiang spoke Russian, English, Japanese and Romanian. He was polite, flexible and able to compromise between radicals and conservatives. He now had good relations with Li Peng. Jiang read poetry and liked
singing Russian songs.
SINO-SOVIET RELATIONS
19. Sir John Coles invited Mr Solovyev to give an up-date on the present state of Sino-Soviet relations. Mr Solovyev
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