fco-21-806-chinese-foreign-policy — Page 13

the officials of "Departments under the State Council" when he attended
the 1 October celebrations much higher than any other member of the MFA
suggests that he might now have an additional special role. Ferhaps he
is acting as both executive Foreign Minister and Director of the State
Council's Foreign Affairs Bureau or a similar body responsible for
co-ordinating foreign policy under Chou En-lai. Ch'en Yi held such a

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position when he was Foreign Minister. Even though over the 1.at 6
months Chi has had dealings with North Korea, Cambodia, Pakistan,
Vietnam, Albania and Burma, we have seen no

indications that he is no longer the Vice-Minister responsible for West
Asian and African Affairs. (For details of this Department see Apponsix
A),

4. Li Yao-wen. A former military man, who is probably a FLA
representative at the co-ordinating level. His public appearances have
mainly been in connection with North Korea and Albania.

5. Ma Wen-po. The Foles and the Swiss say they have been led by the
Chinese to believe that Ma is a military man. Like Li, Ma is also
probably a PLA representative at the co-ordinating level. His public
appearances have been in connection with many countries.

4

6. Chiao Kuan-hua. Chieo is stil the Vice-Minister responsible for the
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. (See Appendix B). He heads the Chinese
delegation at the Sino-Soviet border talks. Recently (sec our telegram
number 4) he has taken over Lo Kuei- po's responsibilities for Western
Europe, the Americas and Australia. (See Appendix C). We do not know
whether or not Lo hrs left the MFA purmanently, but Chigo's personality
is certainly more conducive than Lo's to an inprovement of any country's
relations with China, Chiao is also involved in Japanese affairs as a
"leading menber" of the China-Japan Friendship Association.

7. Han Nien-lung. Viec-Minister. Responsible for Asian Affairs. (Sec
appendix D). Rarely active outside of asian affairs.

8. Hsu Yi- hsin. Hsu is the fourth and lest of the pre- Cultural
Revolutionary Vice-Ministers to retain his title. The fact that he has
made fow public appearances and we know from the Chinese (directly or
indirectly) which departments Chi, Chizo and Han look after suggests
that Hsu is in charge of the Frotocol, Information and Consular
Departments, plus the General Office and the International Organisations
Section etc. (See Appendix E).

9. Li Fo-kun and Cheng Chi-hung. Virtually unknown. Publicly they are
not very active and we have no clues to their specific responsibilities.

10. In the last few months Chen Te-ho and Fing Ke have both been
described to the Ceylonese as "responsible personnel" of the MFA. The
implications were that they were got mumbers of a specific geographic
department. They have nade public

appearances in connection with many cuntries but their role renains
uncertain.

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11.

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The upshot of the above is that the task of handling foreign affairs vis
à vis foreign governments is now mainly the responsibility of three
astute professional diplomats Chi, Chiao and Han who seem to be working
in close co- op..rątion with Chou En-lai. As we have mentioned in
earlier correspondence there are signs of differences of opinion anong
Chinese leaders about the style or the content of Chinese foreign
policy, but we have no evidence as to whether or not these differences
of opinion are reflected among the leading neubors of the MFA or only
between the MP. and other groups. latter seens ncre likely.

The

12. The burden of work now placed on the MFA is considerable. Moreover,
as a result of the Cultural Revolution the staff of the MFA has been
greatly reduced and departuents such as the International Organisations
Department are now said to be only of section size. The problen faced by
the MFA is all the greater since the value of much of the diplomatic
reporting done during the Cultural Revolution Eust have been mininal as
must have been the arrunt of research.

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13.

One of the most noticeable results of China's attempts to cope with this
new situation is that more responsibility now seems to be delegated to
junior officials i.e. below the level of Deputy-Director. These people
are being allowed into contact with foreign diplonata in their own
right, not just as interpreters. For instance, on 13 January the
Information Department of the MFA invited press attaches and journalists
to a file show and cocktail party at the International Club third such
event recently. Our hosts were there in force and were intent on making
a favourable inpression. While a woman from the Home News section of
NCNA, who had named her daughter "wei Zing" after the Chinese satellite,
set to work on ny wife, Cheng Yi-chun, who acts as Tang Hai-kuang's
interpreter when he deals with us and whom we believe to be the British
desk officer, set to work on me.

the

14. Besides a "friendly discussion" about Sino-British relations etc.,
couched in traditional for:uloc, Chang raised some questions which
pointed up what I have said above about the new style of Chinese
diplomacy here. thought about the Frine Minister's New Delhi statement
on China,

First, he asked no what I of which he had just read a digest "in AFF or
Reuters". that I was unable to comment on it as the text had just
arrived I said at the Mis ion as I was leaving for the Club. He then
asked if wo would let him have a copy of the full text. d'affaires was
able to hand it over when he saw Chiao Kuen-hua

(The Chargó the next day). Next, Chanr, turned his attention to the
Connon- wealth Conference and asked why the Conservative government was
intent on selling arms to 3uth Africa. In reply I exercised the points
made in Guidance telegram number 233 laying particular

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stress on the growth of the Sovit navy.

wth of the Sovit navy. I said that this posed a threat which Ching no
doubt apreciated. Although Chang readily admitted that China appreciated
this thr.at, he carefully avoided committing himself on the question of
China's stand in the event that Britain decided to go ahead with arms
sales to South Africa. In due course we got around to Hong Kong and
Chang noted that there had been many reports in the press ab ut the
prospect of an annesty in Hong Kong and asked if we had any news on the
subject. I said that we had no news but speaking personally I was always
sceptical about sensational pross reports. We also talked about the MFA
and Chang gave me some of the material used olsewhere in this letter. As
it was sone of his remarks which spurred ne to write this letter I was
not able to ask him the detailed questions which I would wish to ask him
now. He has expressed the wish to continue our exchange of views, so the
opportunity should arise again.

+

15. Meanwhile observers here are waiting to see what role is given to
Keng Pian, the former Ambassador to Albania, who not only is a uan of
wide diplomatic experience, but is also a nenber of the Farty Central
Committee. The only other member of the MFA who currently holds this
rank is Huang Chen, the Arbassador to Faris. Not surprisingly there is
speculation here that Kong Piac will take over as Foreign Minister. Scre
observers argue th. t this is why Chi Feng-fai still retains his
responsibilities for West Asia and African affairs. We shall see.

16. Unfortunately, our biographic/apporrance records here are rather
scanty and so we have not been able to examine in detail the roles of
the renbers of the MFA. We will now ask our colleagues about the people
who deal with their affairs and ac try to get our picture of the MFA
into better focus. We would be grateful for any further information or
thoughts which Research Department might have on this subject. We also
hope that this and subsequent meterial will not be used in IRD
publications for the time boing as we wish to use it as barter material
here.

Ever

You

Fordha

Gordon S Berrasa

Copied to:

Mr. Brower, Research Department F.C.0.

Miss Draycott, Information Research Department F.C.Ó. Mr. Duff, PUSD,
F.C.O.

Mr. Howells, Assistant Folitical Advisor, Hong Kong. Hr. Ashworth,
Regional Information Officer, Hong Kong. Mr. Boyd, Washington.

Chancery, C.nberra.

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APPENDIX A

WEST ASIAN AND AFRICAN DEPARTMENT

Responsible Vice Minister

Directer

Deputy Director

Deputy Director

Chi Peng-fei

Ho Ying

Kung Ta-fei

Ho Kung-kai

N.B. Division of responsibilities not known.

APFENDIX B

WESTERN EUROPEAN, AMERICAN AND AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT

Responsible Vice Minister

Director

Tainly responsible for Anericoa and lustralia

"Leading Member" of his staff

Deputy Director

nainly responsible for Western Europe.

Officer Dealing with Britain

Head of Scandinavian Section

Officer for Finland and Netherlands

Officer for Norway and Dennerk

Chiac Kuan-hua

Shen Ping

Li Ching

Tong Hai-kuang

Cheng Yi-chun (our view)

Yu Chun

(Norwegian source)

Vua Chung-chun

(Finnish and Dutch scurces)

Li Fao-cheng (Norwegian and Danish sources)

"Rosponsible Ferson"

doaling with France, Italy and Switzerland

Yu Hui-nir

(French, Italian and Swiss sources)

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APPENDIX C

SOVIET AND EST EUROPEAN DEPARTMENT

spensible Vice Minister

Director

Deputy Directors

Chiar Kuan-hua

Head of Folish Section

Yu Chan

Li Ting-chuan (Polish source)

Li Lien-ching

Liu Tieh-cheng (Pelish source)

APPENDIX D

LEIAN AFFAIRS DEF.RTMENT

Responsible Vice Minister

Director

Deputy Director

dealing tainly with

fghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Ceylon.

Deputy Director

Cealing nainly with East Asia and Scuth East Asia.

"Leading Merber"

"Responsible personnel"

Hon Nion-lung

Li Ta-nan (?) (Pelish scurce)

Yang Kung-su

Tsao Ke-chiang

Liu Chun.

Tang Yeh-wen

Lu Wei-chao

Kou Chien-tsai

Jon Hou-kun

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APPENDIX E

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Responsible Vice Minister

Hsu Yi-hsin (?)

INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

Director

Deputy Director

PROTOCOL DEPARTMENT

Deputy Director

Ch'en Chu

(Folish course)

Yuan Lu-lin (Polish scurce)

Hen Hsu

(He is the Chief of Pret crl and is close to Chou En-lai. His diplomatic
role is much nore important than his position suggests).

Wang Hai-jung

"Leading Member"

CONSULAR DEPARTMENT

Deputy Director

GENERAL OFFICE

Wong Chung-li (Polish source)

and mes

7.

Director

Tu Hao

(Polish source)

INTERN.TIONAL ORGANISTION SECTION

Section exists. Loading personnel unknown

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RIN/FED

AMENDMENT SLIP

AMENDED COPY AMENDED DISTRIBUTION

FEC

i

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PEKING telegram No. 13

of 5/1/71

560-tologs

[New Years Day Editorial]

Textual

ampend myant.

repeated

as follows.

to FCO

3

Sentence 1 of para 3

"The editorial sees

revolutionary

situation developing faster than expected bust at the

inject

about

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time seeks to

note of modesty when talking China's foreign relations. In particulas

7

[Delete where not applicable]

J

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hind

IF

Staff Officer Room 131

Date

7/1/72

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT A

FM PEKING 058435Z

CONFIDENTIAL

(MA

CONFIDENTIAL

FEC 2

TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 13 OF 5 JANUARY INFO HONG KONG WASHINGTON MOSCOW
INFO SAVING CANBERRA POLAD SINGAPORE TOKYO AND ULAN DATOR.

MY TELNO 1 OF 2 JANUARY: NEW YEAR'S DAY EDITORIAL.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Q

pla

THE EDITORIAL REFLECTS CHINA'S GROWING CONFIDENCE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
ALTHOUGH IT REITERATES CHINA'S DETERMINATION TO SUPPORT ANY
REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT WHICH WILL HELP UNDERMINE THE INFLUENCE OF THE
U.S. AND THE SOVIET UNION, IT POINTS

TO SOME SHIFTS IN EMPHASIS WHICH HAVE EMERGED IN RECENT MONTHS AS A
RESULT OF CONTINUING AMERICAN ACTIVITY IN INDO-CHINA AND

THE REDUCTION IN $150-SOVIET TENSION.

2. 14 LAST YEAR'S EDITORIAL THE SOVIET UNION WAS CONDEMNED BUCH MORE
STRONGLY THAN THE U.S. THIS YEAR THE SITUATION IS REVERSED. WHEREAS THE
EDITORIAL REFERS TO QUOTE NIXON'S REACTIONARY RULE UNQUOTE AND QUOTE
U.C. AGGRESSION UNQUOTE, NO REFERENCE IS MADE TO EITHER BREZHNEV OR TO
SOVIET INTERNAL AFFAIRS, ANTI-SOVIET CRITICIS 15 FOCUSSED OF THE
DOWNFALL OF COMULKA AND THE POLISH QUOTE REVISIONIST RULING CLIQUE
UMUOTE ARE THE QUOTE DEEP CA1315 UNGUOTE OF QUOTE SOCIAL-

IMPERIALISM'S REVISIONIST RULE UNQUOTE 11 EASTERN EUROPE.

3.

THE EDITORIAL SEES THE REVOLUTIONARY SITUATION DEVELOPING FASTER THAN
WAS EXPECTED BUT AT [10 GROUPS UNDEC)

AN NOTE OF MODESTY CHEN TALKING ABOUT CHINA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS. IN
PARTICULAR IT SEEKS TO ALLAY THE FEAR WHICH MUST BE FILT

BY SMALLER COUNTRIES ATOUT CHINA'S CROWING STRENGTH BY FICLARINS THAT
CHERA VILL HEVER BEHAVE LIKE A SUPER POWER AND QUOTE LORD IT OVER OTHERS
UNQUSTE.

+

+

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL.

4.

THE DIFFERENT IDELOGICAL VIEWPOINTS OF CHINA'S ARE RECOGNISED ONLY WITH
ALBANIA IS CHINA SAID TO BE STRUGGLING TOGETHER AGA! QUOTE IMPERIALISM
AND REVISIONISM UNQUOTE: BUT WITH NORTH VIETNAM AND NORTH KOREA CHINA IS
STRUGGLING AGAINST QUOTE U.S. IMPERIALISM AND JAPANESE MILITARISM
UNQUOTE. NO

MENTION IS MADE OF ROMANIA,

5. SOME OBSERVERS THINK THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE IN FORMULA USED IN
CONNECTION WITH TAIWAN WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS QUOTE OUR SACRED TERRITORY
OF TAIWAN PROVINCE REPEAT PROVINCE UNQUOTE. IN FACT THIS IS NOT GIVEN
PROMINENCE BUT THE FUTURE OF TAIWAN (AND THE ATTITUDE OF FOREIGN
COUNTRIES TO ITS STATUS) CLEARLY REMAINS ONE OF CHINA'S PRIMARY
PREOCCUPATIONS.

6.

DESPITE ITS TONE, THE EDITORIAL AS USUAL LEAVES THE OPTIONS OPEN AND
THERE IS NOTHING IN IT WHICH IN MY VIEW PRECLUDES CHINA FROM CONTINUING
TO TRY AND IMPROVE ITS BILATERAL STATE RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET UNION
OR AT AN APPROPRIATE POINT FROM RE-OPENING TALKS WITH THE AMERICANS

FCO PASS WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW AND SAVING TO CANBERRA POLAD

SINGAPORE AND TOKYO.

DENSON

/REPEATED AS REQUESTED7

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TO ROUTINE FCO TELRO 1 OF 2 JANUARY 1971 AND TO HONG KONG,

WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW SAVING TO TOKYO, ULAN BATOR, SINGAPORE

AND CANBERRA.

CHINESE FOREIGN POLICY

FOLLOWING ARE EXTRACTS FROM THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS

THE JOINT NEW YEAR'S DAY EDITORIAL.

FON

TON OF

** THE WORLD IS UNDERCOING A GREAT REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE.............
(WHICH)........... IS DEVELOPING FASTER THAN WAS EXPECTED....THE

REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLES OF THE PEOPLE OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES

AGAINST FOREIGN AGGRESSION APE MERGING WITH THEIP REVOLUTIONARY

STRUGGLES AGAINST DOMESTIC REACTIONERIES.... THE WORLD PEOPLE'S

STRUGGLE AGAINST U.S. IMPERIALISM IS LINKED WITH THE STRUGGLE

OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST NIXON'S REACTIONARY RULE....THE PEOPLE OF
THE THREE COUNTRIES OF VIETNAM, CAMBODIA AND LAOS HAVE KON GREAT
VICTORIES IN THEIR WAR AGAINST U.S. AGGRESSION AND FOR NATIONAL
SALVATION, (JAPAN, OKINAWA, PALESTINE, GUINEA AND LATIN AVERICA ARE ALSO
MENTIONED)....... MANY MEDIUM SIZED AND SMALL NATIONS HAVE RISEN AGAINST
THE POWER POLITICS OF THE TWO SUPER POKERS, U.S. IMPERIALISM AND SOCIAL
IMPERIALISM.... THE WORKING CLASS AND THE BROAD MASSES IN POLAND HAVE
WAGED A

MAMMOTH REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE AGAINST THE REVISIONIST FULING CLIQUE,
BRINGING ABOUT THE DOWNFALL OF GOMULKA, WHO WENT THE SAME WAY AS
KHRUSHCHOV AND NOVOTNY. SOCIAL IMPERIALISM'S

COLONIAL RULE IN EAST EUROPE IS IN A DEEP CRISIS, THIS EVENT

NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATES THE FURTHER BANKRUPTCY OF MODERN

REVISIONIS" WITH SOVIET REVISIONISH AT ITS CENTRE, BUT SHOWS THE
WEAKNESS OF THE REVISIONIST RULE.

2

2..

**CHINA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS ARE DAILY DEVELOPING. WE ARE

ADVANCING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE ALBANIAN PARTY OF LABOUR...

WE ARE CLOSELY UNITED WITH THE VIETNAM WORKER'S PARTY AND THE ·

KOREAN WORKER'S PARTY 1 THE FIGHT AGAINST U.S. IMPERIALISM AND

JAPANESE MILITARISH, AND IN THIS FIGHT WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER. OUR
MILITANT UNITY WITH ALL GENUINE MARXIST-LENINIST PARTIES AND

ORGANISATIONS AND THE REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE OF THE WORLD HAS

BEEN CONSTANTLY CONSOLIDATED AND STRENGTHENED..........

3..

....THE

• THE CHINESE PEOPLE FIRMLY STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE

PROLETARIAT AND THE OPPPESSED PEOPLE AND NATIONS THE WORLD OVER. AT NO
TIME WILL CHINA EVER BEHAVE LIKE A SUPER POWER.......... CHINESE PEOPLE
STAND FOR EQUALITY AMONG ALL NATIONS, BIG OR
SHALL..........(AND)...FIRMLY SUPPORT THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLES OF

THE PEOPLES OF ALL COUNTRIES AND LEARN FROM THEM,'

DENSON

REPEATED TO WASHINGTON AND SAVING TO TOKYO ULAN BATOR POLAD AND HC
SINGAPORE [CANDERRA

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KOD (INTERNAL)

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