The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Proposes to Have Premier Zhou Enlai Invite Souvanna Phouma to Again Visit China

[It would be] best to send an invitation letter in advance of [his] leaving - CHEN Yi, 8 March

Proposal [has already been] sent to [and gotten the] consent [of]: Liu [Shaoqi], DENG [Xiaoping], PENG [Zhen], [and the] Foreign Affairs Ministry - ZHOU Enlai. 8 March

[The] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China proposes to [have] Premier ZHOU [Enlai] invite [Souvanna] Phouma to again visit [China]

With regards to the matter of inviting Phouma to come to our country [for a] formal meeting, as per Premier Zhou's [request] we already sent a formal invitation letter to [Phouma] on November 26th of last year. Afterwards, there [was] a change in the situation in Laos, [and] the meeting did not become a reality. [In] January of this year, Phouma expressed to the Kingdom of Laos [his intention to] return to Laos in February [for an] inspection [tour] then go to Myanmar, India, the United Arab Republic [Egypt], France, England, Poland, the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam for meetings. [Since that time], in accordance with instructions from China, I, YE Jinghao, the consular agent, and Ambassador HE Wei have worked [both in] Phnom Penh and Hanoi to express to Phouma that our government warmly welcomes his visit. At present, according to [information received in] telegrams from Ambassador WANG Youping and Ambassador HE Wei, Phouma has decided [that he will leave] Phnom Penh for [Hong Kong] on March 15th [followed by] visits and meetings in the aforementioned countries. [It is expected that his] approximate [date of arrival in] Beijing will be sometime near the end of April. Phouma has also expressed his desire that our two countries will be able to discuss the signing of bilateral economic and cultural agreements during his visit to [China]. Per necessity, these agreements may also include military assistance.

Looking at the current situation in Laos, it would be extremely beneficial [to our country for] us to invite Phouma to our country to have a discussion. We recommend that a formal invitation letter be sent on behalf of Premier ZHOU Enlai. The Cambodian Embassy shall prepare the invitation letter and it should be sent to Phouma [by Ambassador Wang] prior to [Phouma's] departure from Phnom Penh

A copy of the pending formal invitation letter for Phouma is herein attached for verification

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

7 March 1961