Extract
from translated letter of Chou-En-Lai’s (received by Nigerian Foreign Office)
expressing the views of Asian and African countries on Sino-Indian relation.
Ever since the Sino- Indian border
issue arose, leaders of many Asian and African countries have exerted great
efforts to promote its peaceful settlement. Almost unanimously they hold that
the arch enemy of us Asian and African countries is imperialism and colonialism,
that our countries all face urgent tasks of reconstruction to transform the
backward state of our economy, and that China and India, the two big Asian
countries, should settle their boundary question peacefully, restore Sino-
Indian friendship, enhance Asian- African solidarity and together cope with the
main enemy before us. They appeal to China and India to halt the armed border
clashes and immediately enter into negotiations, and they oppose foreign
intervention. Both China and India are big Asian countries, it is only through
direct negotiations between China and India that a mutually satisfactory
settlement of the boundary question can be secured. The Chinese Government
heartily welcomes and sincerely thanks the leaders of friendly Asian and
African countries for their fair- minded endeavours to promote director
negotiations between China and India, without themselves getting involved in
the dispute. I sincerely hope that Your Excellency will uphold justice and
continue to exercise your distinguished influence to promote a peaceful
settlement of the Sino- Indian boundary question on a fair and reasonable basis.
Please accept, Your Excellency,
The assurances of my highest consideration.
Chou-En-Lai
Premier of the state Council
Of the People’s Republic of
China
Source: P.N.
Haksar Papers, MSS, NMML
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