2
of 50 million people, with a large stock of armaments captured from the Americans and supplied by the Russians. Ever since the success- ful conclusion of their war against the American Imperialists they had dreamt of regional hegemony for themselves within a Federation of Indo-China, Cambodia was a relatively poor and weak country. Many countries considered that China should intervene to settle the dispute, but they did not want the problem internationalised. They hoped the conflict would be resolved by the countries concerned according to the five principles of peaceful coexistence and in the spirit of big countries not bullying small countries. Mr Cortazzi asked what hope there was of such a peaceful settlement: Mr Sung thought very little.
ASEAN
In
3. When Mr Cortazzi drew attention to the community of interest between China and Britain in support of ASEAN Mr Sung agreed. answer to a question from Mr Cortazzi he said that China was ready to establish relations with Indonesia as soon as the Indonesians were ready. He expected that, as Lee Kuan Yew had said, Singapore would be the last Asean country to establish relations with China.
MINISTERIAL VISITS
He knew
4. During lunch there was mention of ministerial visits. Kr Cortazzi explained that the importance attached by the UK Government to the maintenance of a dialogue between the two countries was reflected by the high-level of visitors coming to China. Sir Neil Cameron was here now, Mr Ennals hoped to come next month, and Mrs Williams in July. Mr Sung said that China welcomed these visitors. An important delegation led by Vice-Minister Ku ing would be travelling to Britain. The Foreign Minister, Mr Huang Hua, hoped to visit Britain before the end of July. It was hoped that Dr Owen would be able to visit China before the end of the year. Mr Cortazzi hoped that we could know soon when Mr Huang might be coming. that Dr Owen wanted very much to visit China when time could be found. Later, Kr Sung explained that Vice-Premier Mr Ku Mu would shortly be visiting five European countries. The tour was by way of a return visit for the visits of Heads of State or Government or their No.2's from these countries, and there fore Britain was not included.
It was hoped that next year a Vice-Premier might visit Britain. Mr Cortazzi explained that the Prime Minister was very sorry to have had to can- cel his trip to China after his appointment. At the moment it was difficult to get away. There were no significant differences over policy to China between the Government and the Opposition. said he hoped he had not given the impression that a visit by the Prime Minister would be necessary before high-level visits in the opposite direction could take place. He understood the difficulty of travel at election times. The Chinese were happy to deal with Labour and Conservative Governments on the same friendly and coopera- tive basis, There was general agreement on important international
issues.
Mir Sung
CONFIDENTIAL UK EYES A
/EXCHANGE OF VIEWS
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