General Meeting of Prime Minister and Vice Premier Deng (Summary Record)

2. General Meeting of Prime Minister and Vice Premier Deng (Summary Record)

February 7 (Wednesday), 9:10 to 9:45, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence

Following are those who participated in the tete-a-tete:

The Other Side

Foreign Minister Huang Hua

Ambassador to Japan Fu Hao

Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Wenjin

Special Assistant Pu Shouchang

Protocol Department Director Wei Yongqing

[line blacked out]

Our Side

Foreign Minister Sonoda

Chief Cabinet Secretary Tanaka

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takashima

Asian Affairs Bureau Director-General Yanagiya

Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister Sato

China Division Director Tanino

Principal Deputy Director Uchida

Assistant Director Hashimoto (recorder)

[Pages 17 and 18 are omitted.]

[First part of sentence, from the end of the omitted page 18, is missing.]

… said that [missing sentence part] worried. These are not isolated situations, but a chain reaction.

(5) We also exchanged opinions regarding Indochina and Pakistan. When I told the United States that they should seriously aid Pakistan, the US side said that was concerned for Bhutto's life, so from our side we have made various approaches. Prior to this visit to the United States, when Li Xiannian visited Pakistan, General Haq said that Bhutto's life was not in danger, so I relayed that and said that Pakistan was in need of serious aid. To date the United States when giving aid to India and Pakistan seems to have done so in proportion to their populations, but  India has a population of 500 million and Pakistan one of 50 million, so that will not do.

(6) Concerning the problem of Vietnam, the United States said that an escalation of the situation would not be good. I said that we would take the US opinion into consideration but that, in regard to this problem, we would solve it ourselves. After the meeting with President Carter, I made in public and to the US Congress the following three points:

First, China always carries out what it has said it will do.

Second, China engages in mature deliberation when dealing with problems.

Third, China does not engage in reckless acts.

(7) Regarding the Cambodia problem, Democratic Kampuchea maintains its own military force and is not suffering losses. We hope that more countries will aid it.  

Regarding Vietnam, we hear that Japan, in step with the ASEAN countries, has temporarily halted aid to Vietnam. We hope that Japan goes one step further by aiding Democratic Kampuchea, either through a third country or directly.

(8) Concerning other issues between the United States and China, opinions were exchanged on such issues as bilateral legal issues, assets, and most-favored-nation treatment. A working agreement was also concluded. China [rest of sentence is on page 21.]

[Page 21 is omitted.]

2. In response, Prime Minister Ohira made the following remarks:  

It is gratifying that, with the visit of Your Excellency and his party to the United States, there is a deeper understanding between the United States and China, who have a decisive influence on global politics. Also, the developing of working relations between the United States and China is good. We have learned of Vice Premier Deng's profound insight and consideration regarding the global situation and of how China is responding to it. Thank you for your explanation. Our country would like to work vigorously, now and in the future, from our own position for the peace and stability of this region. Together with ceaselessly conducting exchanges of opinion concerning such problems with China, I would like to deepen not only mutual visits henceforth between the leaders of our two countries, but also travels back and forth and exchanges between every sector and level, deepening our mutual relations and understanding.

3. Next, Foreign Minister Sonoda made the following remarks on aid to Cambodia:  

Regarding Cambodia, there is no change in our country's desire to give appropriate aid. However, another thing is that Pol Pot's reputation in Asia is not good. Is China calling for aid to Cambodia (as a country) or aid to Pol Pot?

4. In response, Vice Premier Deng said: I do not approve of all of the Pol Pot regime's policies, but that now is not the time to concern ourselves with such matters. China has again invited Prince Sihanouk to Beijing. The Prince said that he would not involve himself in politics, but I would like to consider everything again after I return to Beijing. Pol Pot has said that he would like to organize a "democratic and patriotic front." I would like you to take note of this point.