Vyshinsky and Zhou briefly discuss recent changes in China and the positive state of Sino-Soviet relations.
August 18, 1952
Report, Zhou Enlai to Chairman Mao [Zedong] and the Central Committee
This document was made possible with support from Henry Luce Foundation
毛主席并中央:
今日下午费德林（第一远东司司长）奉维辛斯基[1]〕同志之命来询问我代表团进行工作的日程，我当根据主席致菲利波夫[2]同志电中所述两大部分即报告与商谈的各项问题告以进行程序的意见，并说明这只是建议，妥否还待斯大林同志考虑，并请维辛斯基予以安排。在程序中，我们提出首先探访斯大林同志，简述我们所要进行的报告和商谈的问题的主要内容，然后请斯大林同志予以指示，如需要，请指定几位同志与我们商谈各项具体问题。如可能，当天即将朝鲜战争和国际形势谈谈，另定一天专做中国国内三年来主要情况及今后五年建设方针的报告。在会谈中，代表团拟探访斯维尔里克[3]主席及向列宁基致敬。会后，代表团拟访问斯大林格勒及伏尔加顿运河。最后，并请见联共中央书记处几位同志一谈联共中央组织及工作方法问题。
晚六时，我借张闻天[4]同志往访维辛斯基外长，他说我所提的程序甚合理，待我往见斯大林同志后即可决定，并发公报。他说昨日机场发言，许多人都说好。关于国际形势，他说，美国为着紧张局势，还会在朝鲜战场上拖一时期，如拖两年，美国将愈不得了，大西洋公约[5]将愈加垮台。美国现在是既不敢和，也不敢大打。在朝鲜战场上是害着寒热病。五年内，世界大战打不起来，我们将更变样子了。在维辛斯基谈话中，他们对中国建设的帮助似有了精神准备。
周恩来
八月十八日二十时
根据手稿刊印。
[1]维辛斯基，当时任苏联外交部部长。
[2]菲利波夫，又译菲里波夫，斯大林的代号。
[3]斯维尔里克，又译什维尔尼克，当时任苏联最高苏维埃主席团主席。
[4]张闻天，当时任中国驻苏联大使。
[5]大西撑公约，即北大西洋公约组织。该组织是一九
四九年八月美国、英国、法国、荷兰、比利时、卢森堡、挪威、葡萄牙、意大利、丹麦、冰岛、加拿大等国根据同年四月在华盛顿签订的军事同盟条约即《北大西洋公约》成立的军事组织。
To Chairman Mao [Zedong] and the Central Committee:[1]
This afternoon, Nikolai Fedorenko (Director of the Far East Division), on behalf of Comrade [Foreign Minister] Andrey Vyshinsky, asked for the working agenda of our delegation. In accordance with the two reports described in the Chairman’s telegram to Filippov [Stalin] as well as procedural opinions about addressing the various issues under discussion, I explained that I only have some suggestions. Perhaps it would be better to wait for Comrade Stalin to consider them first and then ask Vyshinsky to make the appropriate arrangements.
First on our agenda we propose a visit with Comrade Stalin to describe in brief the reports that we will make and the discussions we will have. Then we will ask Comrade Stalin to give instructions. If necessary, please designate several comrades to discuss specific issues with us.
If possible, that day I would like to talk about the Korean War and the international situation, and then arrange another appointment to report on the most important developments in China during the past three years and our overall guidelines for construction during the next five years.
During the talks, the delegation plans to visit Chairman Nikolay Shvernik and pay tribute to Lenin. After the meetings, the delegation plans to visit Stalingrad and the Volgaton Canal.
Finally, we would like to visit comrades of the Central Committee of the Communist Party [of the Soviet Union] to discuss the organization and working methods of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
At 6 pm, I asked [Chinese Ambassador to the USSR] Zhang Wentian to visit Foreign Minister Vyshinsky. Vyshinsky said that the work agenda I suggested was very reasonable. He said that many people liked the speech yesterday when we arrived at the airport.
Regarding the international situation, he said the US, in order to increase international tensions, would drag out the Korean War for some time to come. If it drags on for another two years, the situation will get even worse for the US and NATO will near collapse. The United States is now both afraid of peace and afraid to fight. Colds and fevers are widespread on the Korean battlefield. It is a cold and fever disease on the Korean battlefield. If a world war does not break out in five years, we will be very much different. The conversation with Vyshinsky indicates that they are already mentally prepared to assist in China's construction.
Zhou Enlai
August 18 at 20:00
[1] The editors of Jianguo yilai Zhou Enlai wengao (Zhou Enlai’s Manuscripts since the Founding of the PRC) included several footnotes in this document that provided biographical information on the individuals mentioned. These footnotes have not been translated into English. – Charles Kraus.
Zhou reports on the initial plans for his visit to Moscow and some of the conversations he's held concerning the Korean War.
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Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi (CPC Central Historical Documents Research Office) and Zhongyang dang'anguan (Central Archives), eds., Jianguo yilai Zhou Enlai wengao (Zhou Enlai’s Manuscripts since the Founding of the PRC), vol. 7 (Beijing: Zhongyang wenxian chubanshe, 2018), 81-82. Translated by David Cowhig.
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