Cable from Ambassador Katori to the Foreign Minister, 'Prime Minister Visit to China (Foreign Ministers’ Discussion – Regarding Cambodia Among Others)'

Number R037955

Primary: Asia and China

Sent: China 01:35 Year Month 25

Received: MOFA 03:09 1984 March 26

To: The Foreign Minister From: Ambassador Katori

Prime Minister Visit to China (Foreign Ministers’ Discussion - Regarding Cambodia among others)　

Number 1345 Top Secret Top Urgent Q36A

Wire1339 Separate Wire 6

Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian conveyed the following in regards to the Cambodia issue, among other topics, based on the Foreign Minister’s recent travels to Malaysia, Burma, and Thailand.

1. In February, I travelled to Malaysia and Burma, and on the way I stopped by Thailand and met with Foreign Minister Siddhi. Regarding the Cambodia issue, the viewpoints of China, Malaysia and Thailand matched. Malaysia and Thailand called for Vietnam’s withdrawal from Cambodia. The Foreign Minister of Burma also said that the withdrawal of Vietnam is the key to resolving the Cambodia issue.

2. China is not seeking personal gains from Cambodia. If Vietnam were to declare that it will withdraw, China is prepared to hold discussions to find a reasonable resolution. If this occurs, Sino-Vietnamese relations can also be speedily resolved.

3. The current situation is magnificent. Sihanouk and the coalition government is developing towards the right direction. When [Foreign Minister] Nguyễn Cơ Thạch of Vietnam held a press conference in Australia, he spoke to try to divide the coalition government and ASEAN. However, his plot was not successful.

4. The Japanese Government’s invitation of President Sihanouk to visit in late May is very important in terms of strengthening the democratic Cambodian government. I simultaneously indicate my support and respect for this decision.

5. There were some bilateral issues with Malaysia. There are ethnic Chinese of Malaysian nationality who want to visit their ancestral homes in China. Regarding this matter, I believe that we can find a resolution through frank discussion. (Note: This point will not be included in the press brief)

6. Regarding China’s relationship with the Malayan Communist Party, we indicated to the Malaysian Foreign Minister [Ghazali Shafie] our standpoint “this is a domestic Malaysian issue. China has neither the intention of interfering in the internal matters of the Malayan Communist Party nor the domestic politics of Malaysia. This is not a bilateral issue.” The moral-based relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and Malayan Communist Party is the same as any other relationship between socialist and democratic parties. We cannot consent to the idea that we cannot even have a moral-based relationship. Furthermore, there is the issue that people related to the Malayan Communist Party are in China; however, these people came to China soon after the war or during the British oppression of Malaysia. China received these people on the basis of receiving persecuted peoples as political refugees. I conveyed to the Foreign Minister, “if these people want to return to Malaysia, and if Malaysia is prepared to receive them, then China is prepared to send them to Malaysia.” (Note: The above will also not be revealed publically.) (End)