Chapter 41 40 The Great Pioneer of New China's Diplomacy

In the fall of the second year of the ten-year struggle, I don’t remember how there was a gap between criticism and criticism. One day, the Prime Minister called the ambassadors who were under criticism in the country to a small meeting in the small auditorium of the State Council. The Prime Minister also invited Mr. Chen, mainly to listen to everyone's opinions and to do some ideological work for everyone.At the meeting, the Prime Minister mentioned that in the 18 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, he and Comrade Chen Yi had successively served as leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At that time, Mr. Chen immediately added: "I am also under the leadership of the Prime Minister when I am a minister." At that time, none of the comrades present here may have sensitively realized that the time for these two respected old leaders to leave us is coming. I counted with my fingers, no, it is these two leaders who are loved by everyone who are sitting in front of us. In two nine years, they have led our team that was still a branch when the country was just founded. The relatively young diplomatic team that has fought regular diplomatic battles has pioneered the diplomatic cause of New China from scratch.In just a dozen spring and autumn periods, the great image of the People's Republic of China has stood up gloriously in the world.Comrades who participated in diplomatic work in the early days knew it well. This is a family business that has been built with great effort and effort!

In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Party Central Committee attached great importance to the selection of the chief leader of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.At the beginning of the founding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the central government could only ask Premier Zhou Enlai to take up the important task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On November 19, 1946, after Comrade Zhou Enlai flew back to Yan'an from Nanjing, he assisted Chairman Mao in annihilating Hu Zongnan's army and commanded the all-out war of liberation while moving to northern Shaanxi. Foreseeing that victory in the War of Liberation is imminent, we will face the problem of nation-building.At that time, the organizations of the military, government, industry, agriculture, commerce, and learning already had a certain foundation.But in terms of diplomacy, it is still a new topic and requires a lot of talents.At that time, the first consideration was to list a group of cadres who had done foreign affairs work in the Chongqing Office, Nanjing Meiyuan New Village, the Executive Department of the Beiping Military Mediation Office, and other places; First gather together, some study; some accumulate materials (at that time, because the international opposition was mainly the United States, they began to edit the "American Handbook"); some cadres also went to the countryside to participate in a period of land reform.In short, this team of foreign affairs cadres and translators should not be allowed to disperse, so as to prepare a preliminary team for the foreign affairs work of New China after the liberation of the whole country.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou transferred a considerable number of cadres from party, government, military, civilian and academic organizations across the country through the Central Organization Department, gradually gathering a diplomatic team that had begun to take shape.First of all, the leadership of the Ministry, the Party and Youth League organizations were established, and the regional divisions, business divisions, general offices and bureaus were divided, and the basic foreign policy and foreign affairs disciplines formulated by the central and ministry leaders were announced and lectured. Tasks, explained various diplomatic documents and etiquette; taught international knowledge, international relations norms, and how to establish a new look that new Chinese diplomats should have, etc.Immediately afterwards, experts were invited to give lectures on diplomatic affairs, and cadres were organized to study.The cooperation and mutual relationship between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other foreign affairs departments were formulated, and the establishment of foreign representatives and institutions abroad, etc., were gradually developed accordingly.Through practice, various internal and foreign-related rules and regulations have been formed, so a brand-new foreign affairs team has gradually grown up.

In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, although there were not many countries that established diplomatic relations with my country, various international exchanges, including people's diplomacy, increased year by year.Almost every year there are some international conferences, coupled with mutual visits between countries, to send delegations to participate.The Prime Minister always took advantage of the opportunity of leading a delegation to go abroad to select some comrades from the Regional Department, Operations Department and relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accompany him to work and personally lead the team to train.

In the early 1950s, the country was carrying out industrial and agricultural construction, and there were land reforms, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and numerous government affairs. In addition, foreign affairs activities such as negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations, and negotiations continued one after another. As the Premier of the State Council, Comrade Zhou Enlai was in charge of all aspects of work including politics, economy, military affairs, diplomacy, and culture.Central ministries and commissions, professional departments, and local provinces and cities also report to the State Council and ask for instructions when encountering major problems.As Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he also has to personally preside over the work of the Foreign Affairs Office, and holds at least one or two meetings a week to study the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Although there are several high-level deputy ministers among the assistants who preside over the daily affairs of the ministry, the ministers also attend necessary meetings of the ministry's party committee or enlarged party committee meetings to discuss major issues.Then the directors who participated in the meeting will go back and convey it.Ministers receive foreign guests on a daily basis and participate in talks, banquets, receptions and other external activities.When encountering issues related to several ministries, commissions, and committees, Premier Zhou usually convened relevant personnel in the Xihua Hall to discuss the situation, discuss countermeasures, formulate plans, and obtain more mature opinions before reporting to the Central Committee.This kind of discussion itself is the training of cadres, which greatly benefits the comrades participating in the discussion, and gradually improves the level of diplomatic work.The Prime Minister understands the situation and asks for opinions, and the questions are quite detailed and specific.Everyone at the meeting was heartbroken about the Prime Minister's inquisition, and everyone named it "examination".Sometimes we are often called to the Prime Minister's office to talk about a specific job.I often see a large pile of files waiting for approval on the prime minister's desk. Sometimes the secretary picks out a few urgent cases and brings them to the prime minister, who first asks the prime minister to wholesale them.I have also been anxious to report and ask for instructions more than once during the tense days of receiving foreign guests.Sometimes, due to time constraints, the Prime Minister called him into his car, and reported and asked for instructions on the road from Diaoyutai to the Great Hall of the People or Zhongnanhai, which took only ten or eight minutes.For some important and time-sensitive foreign-related issues, the prime minister often sends secretaries to contact them separately (several secretaries have their own division of labor).

In the late 1950s, it was Comrade Marxism-Leninism who often worked with me.For a while, Comrade Marx and Lenin often called me at two o'clock in the morning.When I picked up the earphones, he always said politely first, "Oh, I'm sorry, I woke you up again!" I asked him if the prime minister hadn't rested yet?He replied: "It will take a while!" Then he notified me of the written instructions and oral instructions and requirements of the report that the Prime Minister had just submitted to us.Sometimes he greeted me, and the Prime Minister said: Comrade Hanfu has high blood pressure, it is already late at night, so don't disturb him.In this way, we can rush to do it overnight, and we can finish it before going to work in the morning, and then ask the deputy minister in charge Zhang Hanfu to send it out.

The Prime Minister requires that the case files submitted by the Regional Division and the Operations Division should be clearly written in the report, and the relevant communications and reports should be attached, and the important files should also be attached.The Prime Minister is always highly responsible and careful when reading and approving documents and telegrams.Especially for important communiqués, statements, notes, and other documents to be released publicly, not only should we carefully consider the guidelines and policies, but we should also consider the proportions and scrutiny of the words used one by one, and even every punctuation mark must be changed. be accurate.He always uses ink and pen to clearly correct the mistakes, and does not allow any mistakes to ensure the quality of the documents.Everyone not only fully trusts the Prime Minister's political and ideological level and extremely responsible spirit, but also is convinced.When his revised manuscript was sent to the central government for circulation, Chairman Mao and Chairman Liu rarely made additions, deletions, or changes.When there are documents to be released to the outside world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is usually notified by the Prime Minister's Office first, and immediately copies back the prime minister's finalized version, and first translates and typed it to buy time.After the circulation by the central government is completed and the notification is received, an official document can be formed quickly and ready to be issued to the outside world.After the drafting of the regional department responsible for the drafting of the manuscript, after the Prime Minister's revised manuscript is returned to the department, everyone must circulate it carefully and study it as usual, so as to improve the level and improve the work.This has established a serious, meticulous and responsible style of work for external work.Everyone is worried that the prime minister's work is too heavy and he has too little sleep and rest, which affects his health.I remember one time when Vice Premier Bo Yibo saw that the Prime Minister was too busy and tired, he told us that we should assign a few cadres like me to serve as the Prime Minister's secretary, so as to reduce the burden of the Prime Minister as much as possible and ensure the health of the Prime Minister.

The huge China has won victory after decades of internal and external revolutionary wars, but what we have taken over is a semi-feudal and semi-colonial mess. , especially the extreme lack of scientific and technological strength, the imperialists encircled and blocked us.With the support of the United States, Taiwan also clamored that it was ready to "counterattack the mainland" at any time.In the face of many domestic difficulties, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea began again.Under such difficult conditions, our Premier Zhou took charge of the country's government affairs, organized the people of the whole country to relieve disasters, overcome famines, produce and build, restore and develop the economy, and consolidate the political power.He not only has to lead us to create from scratch the country's political and legal, financial, industrial and agricultural production, military, national defense, culture, education, health, sports, etc., but also undertakes a lot of work in dealing with intricate international relations. The burden is too great. It's heavy.In order to reduce the burden on specific foreign affairs activities and concentrate on policy issues, in the mid-1950s, Premier Zhou proposed to the central government not to serve as foreign minister, which was approved by the central government.In order to choose the most suitable comrade to take over the position of foreign minister, the Party Central Committee carefully considered and repeatedly selected, and finally selected Comrade Chen Yi, who was then the commander of the East China Military Region and the mayor of Shanghai.Premier Zhou is very satisfied with the candidate for the successor of Foreign Minister.When Mr. Chen took over as foreign minister, he asked to allow him to study with the Prime Minister for a period of time, and the Prime Minister agreed.

In February 1958, Chairman Mao issued a letter of appointment for the appointment of Chen Yi as Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Chen took up the burden of diplomatic work.In my memory, Mr. Chen still submitted some important issues to the Prime Minister for approval. In 1960, when Premier Zhou visited six Asian countries, Comrade Chen Yi accompanied him as the prime minister's main assistant.Mr. Chen often talked to us about the need to learn from the Prime Minister, especially in foreign affairs. The Prime Minister has clear policies, flexible strategies, profound international knowledge, careful thinking about problems, and always convinces others with reasoning. This is not easy to learn. arrived.During the visit, the Prime Minister attached great importance to giving full play to Mr. Chen's role. On some occasions, the Prime Minister often asked Mr. Chen to attend speeches on his behalf.Mr. Chen's speech always won bursts of warm applause.Mr. Chen sometimes let go of the whole speech and spoke thoroughly, so it is inevitable that there are some things that go too far.Whenever this happens, the Prime Minister always smiles and tells us, don’t just see that Mr. Chen’s speech is a bit too much in some places, but see that Mr. Chen’s speech is deep and thorough, and can catch the audience’s attention. Thoughts and feelings produce far-reaching effects, this is the main thing, and it is beyond my reach.The Prime Minister's words not only made me deeply appreciate his humility and eagerness to learn, his comprehensive and profound view of problems, and his superiority, but also the deep understanding and full trust of this great proletarian revolutionist in his comrades-in-arms.It is precisely because of Premier Zhou's knowledge of people and good assignments that Mr. Chen, a marshal diplomat, can give full play to his talents.

During my work in Cambodia, it was a period of sound development of China-Cambodia friendly relations.In those years, the leaders of the two countries exchanged frequent visits. Every time I returned to China to report on my duties and before returning to my post, I would first greet the Prime Minister’s Office and Comrade Chen Yi’s Foreign Affairs Office and wait for arrangements to be summoned.The Prime Minister and Mr. Chen always took time out of their busy schedules to meet me.The two leaders sometimes meet together to inquire about the work of the embassy, ​​and according to the domestic and international situation at that time, explain specific tasks and give instructions.Therefore, I really feel that a great party like the Communist Party of China, our long history but a new socialist big country, has an outstanding diplomat like Premier Zhou Enlai in its foreign relations, and the image it presents in the world It is indeed glorious and great. From the Bandung Conference to before the ten-year turmoil, in more than 10 years of foreign exchanges, I often heard words of admiration and admiration from the diplomatic circles of various countries for Premier Zhou.They were not only amazed by Premier Zhou's profound knowledge, rigorous logic of thinking, and keen insight, but also impressed by Premier Zhou's open-mindedness, vision, and solemn and elegant appearance. Shifting, flexible and ingenious in grasping policies, I am impressed by the diplomatic talents of the Okino group. In 1955, Premier Zhou and Comrade Chen Yi led the Chinese delegation to attend the Bandung Asian-African Conference.After Taiwan's secret agents caused the bombing of the "Kashmir Princess" special plane, they planned to continue the assassination and sabotage during the Bandung Conference.The delegation asked me to inform the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this internal information, so as to attract the attention of the host country, and the Indonesian side promised to take strict protection measures.However, there were thousands of delegations and foreign journalists participating in the meeting. In addition, representatives from various countries entered and exited the venue of the Independence Building every morning, afternoon and evening. Representatives passed by, and crowds watched along the way, just like a movie theater is over, and order is difficult to maintain.Under such circumstances, Mr. Chen told us that it seems that the security work is not easy to do, and we cannot rely on a few people. We all have to use our bodies and lives to defend the Prime Minister.Following Mr. Chen's instructions, everyone consciously surrounded the Prime Minister with three layers of inner and outer layers with a high degree of vigilance, and flocked through these places where accidents might happen.Wherever the Premier passed, he was warmly welcomed and won rounds of warm applause and cheers from the onlookers.Although the situation is quite dangerous, the Prime Minister is calm and energetic in any place, and he keeps waving to the welcoming crowd, turning the tension and danger into relaxation and safety. I heard foreign friends everywhere inside and outside the Bandung Conference say: Zhou Enlai is a great diplomat.With the participation of nearly 30 national delegations from different regions, with different ideologies and different purposes, the whole situation of the conference often develops under his influence.At the beginning of the meeting, most of the public opinion inside and outside the meeting did not expect to correct the direction of the meeting and lead the meeting to success. It was Zhou Enlai, the Premier of New China who was invited to participate in the end. What is important is that Premier Zhou's speech at the podium of the Asian-African Conference stood tall and looked far, expressing the strong desire of the newly independent colonial and semi-colonial countries to unite to maintain independence and sovereignty.In his speech, he firmly grasped the guiding principles of peaceful coexistence and seeking common ground while reserving differences. With a sincere and modest attitude and powerful and artistic language, he deeply moved the hearts of the representatives of the participating countries and dispersed the gatherings at the meeting two days ago. The dark clouds of China successfully bypassed the hidden reefs and slanders of attempts to sabotage the conference, and led the Bandung Asian-African Conference to victory. When the Prime Minister explained to us "seeking common ground while reserving differences", he said that we cannot ask others to accept all our principles.We are a socialist country, a Communist Party, believe in Marxism-Leninism, and do not believe in God.People are a monarchy, believe in God, believe in God and Allah.No one can convince anyone of these "different".Ideological issues cannot be imposed on others.Besides, our country's constitution clearly states that the people have freedom of belief.Don't people believe in Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam?Therefore, the "difference" in ideology can only be allowed to exist there, and can only be chosen and resolved by others. Among the members of our country's delegation to the Asian-African Conference was an Islamic imam Dapusheng.He is very prominent in Islam and a scholar.He interacted with delegations from some Asian, African and Islamic countries both inside and outside the Bandung Conference, which had a very good influence.We all admire Premier Zhou's consideration of such clever policy issues as early as when organizing the delegation. At the Asian-African Conference, some countries began to be unwilling to accept the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, but they could not raise strong objections.In response to this situation, Premier Zhou suggested that it should not be called the "Five Principles". As a result, the deadlock in the meeting was broken and the "Bandung Ten Principles" came into being.Its content and basic spirit are still the interpretation of the "Five Principles".The Prime Minister's handling of this issue is a very illustrative example of the combination of firmness of principle and flexibility of strategy.Indonesian President Sukarno once said with emotion: Mao Zedong was so lucky to find such a prime minister as Zhou Enlai.It would be great if I had a Premier like Zhou Enlai. Admiration and praise for Premier Zhou is often heard. In the late 1950s, an ambassador to China, who had just submitted his credentials, said to the comrades in the protocol department after being received by the prime minister: Your prime minister is very knowledgeable and admirable. I still know. In the 1960s, a Pakistani ambassador told me that Zhou Enlai was a household name in Pakistan.I dare say that if someone like Zhou Enlai participated in the general election in Pakistan, he would definitely get the most votes. Many envoys and diplomats I have contacted say that Premier Zhou is the greatest statesman he has ever met.A diplomat from a Western country once told me that in the late 1950s, he found only one Zhou Enlai among the statues of modern oriental figures in a wax museum in London.He didn't understand it at the time, and it wasn't until he met Premier Zhou that he felt that Zhou Enlai's statue first appeared in the London Wax Museum.Of course, it is difficult to express a great international figure like Zhou Enlai with images. Our great motherland is located in the middle of the Asian continent, with a long land border and many neighboring countries.Most of the borders between old China and neighboring countries were not formally demarcated. Only China and Vietnam were demarcated according to the Sino-French boundary treaty between the Qing Dynasty and French imperialism. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou devoted himself to solving the border issues left over from history in order to build a good neighborliness and create a peaceful and stable environment for national construction.China and Myanmar were the first to resolve the border issue between New China and its neighbors.During the period of British imperialist occupation, Myanmar had border disputes with the Qing government at that time.During the War of Resistance Against Japan, during the worst days of Japanese invasion of China, Britain took advantage of China's difficult situation in the war and threatened to close the Burma Road, forcing the Kuomintang government to draw a boundary line in the Awa Mountains in the form of an exchange of letters, namely "1941 Line".After liberation, my country announced that it would not recognize this "border" that was not officially demarcated by China and Myanmar. In 1955, Premier Zhou considered that the border issue between the two countries must be properly resolved, neither should it hinder the friendly relations between the two countries, but also set an example for resolving border issues with other neighboring countries in the future.Then he arranged for the Asian Department to study the solution to the Sino-Myanmar border, and instructed to invite several international law experts to study first.At that time, I invited Zhou Xusheng, Mei Ruao, and Liu Zerong to explain the situation and ask for their opinions.Based on the history and current situation of the border between the two countries, several veteran experts expounded the position and attitude we should adopt when resolving the border issue between the two countries from a legal point of view.We absorbed the opinions of these experts, and based on the historical background and the current state of the border, proposed a solution to the Sino-Myanmar border issue and submitted to Premier Zhou an opinion on preparations for negotiations.After careful study and repeated consideration, the Prime Minister and comrades from the Central Committee approved the plan reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.After consultations, the governments of China and Myanmar, in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, enabled the negotiations and investigations to resolve the boundary between the two countries to proceed smoothly and obtain mutually satisfactory results.After the Sino-Myanmar border settlement, the prime ministers of the two countries held friendly meetings on the border several times, sharing joy with the people, which played an important role in promoting the friendly exchanges between the two peoples.Subsequently, under the active arrangement of Premier Zhou, our country successfully resolved the border issues through negotiations with Nepal, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Laos.This series of successful border negotiations is very wise. It has far-reaching significance in the overall situation of my country's diplomacy and has been widely praised internationally. Regarding the border disputes between our country and some neighboring countries, Premier Zhou tried to convince people with reason and tried to resolve them through peaceful negotiations.On the other hand, they always patiently explain the facts to the leaders of friendly countries who do not know the situation in detail, so that they can understand our country's fair position on border disputes. In the spring of 1963, Prince Sihanouk visited China.At that time, India was distorting the Sino-Indian border issue in the international arena, insisting on the so-called "McMahon line" concocted by the British Henry McMahon and Tibetan local officials in a secret exchange of letters behind the back of the Qing government. , the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border east of Bhutan has always belonged to China's 90,000-square-kilometer border, and placed it under British rule at that time.The successive Chinese governments have never recognized this illegal border line drawn by the British on the British map, and the new China is absolutely unacceptable.Prince Sihanouk did not understand the historical situation of the Sino-Indian border. Premier Zhou felt that it was necessary to discuss this issue clearly with our good friend.Therefore, after Prince Sihanouk arrived in our country, he first explained to his lord that it would take some time to thoroughly discuss the real situation of the Sino-Indian border with him and a few senior officials accompanying him. At the same time, he asked his wife and other friends who did not participate Let's visit the scenic spots.After Prince Sihanouk agreed, the Prime Minister had a 7-hour long talk with the Prince in the hotel in Kunming, clearly explaining the historical evolution of the border, the negotiation process and the current situation in detail.In the middle, the prince also raised some questions.In order to make it easier for the prince to understand the situation, Premier Zhou provided the new and old maps and materials related to the border to the prince for reference.In the end, the prince said that now he understands that this issue can only be resolved through friendly negotiations between China and India, and it is best not for outsiders to participate. In terms of foreign aid, Premier Zhou has truly been trustworthy and sincere in his support.Especially for the oppressed nations, he is always full of deep sympathy and concern.When assisting weak and small countries, he always asked our country's foreign aid departments and personnel to be responsible to the end for every foreign aid project, from production quality, packaging and transportation to assembly and operation, in accordance with the spirit of proletarian internationalism.It is required that we should not be like some countries who "want to take and give" when providing aid, they have already recorded the long-coveted political, economic, and military interests of the recipient countries in their accounts, and are ready to convert them.In terms of foreign aid, Premier Zhou first emphasized that people need to be urgently needed, and that helping others is fun and beneficial.We must not only carry forward the spirit of internationalism, but also learn from other countries' strengths.Our foreign aid personnel are required to think about the recipient country in every way, so that the people of the recipient country can really benefit.Every piece of assistance we give to others should be what the recipient country needs and can really benefit from.When we help others, we must do our best to be sincere and selfless.It is necessary to consider the source of raw materials, production costs, product sales, and profitability of the recipient country.It is also necessary to prevent pollution from aid projects, and to be responsible for cultivating a team of educated and skilled workers and technicians for the recipient country. In 1958, when Prince Sihanouk visited China for the second time, he was just catching up with the enthusiasm of my country's "Great Leap Forward" and large-scale steel smelting.According to the suggestion of one of the leaders of our country, a small steel factory is to be built for Cambodia.In order to know whether Cambodia has the conditions to build a steelmaking plant, Premier Zhou quickly sent an inspection team including geological experts and technicians to help Cambodia conduct a relatively comprehensive geological exploration.As a result, coal and iron that could be used for smelting were not found.Premier Zhou reported the exploration results to Chairman Mao realistically, explaining that Cambodia did not have the conditions to build steel factories.And asked me to also inform Prince Binnu of the results of the exploration.Later, the Cambodian side agreed to change the idea of ​​building a small steelmaking plant. From 1961 to the beginning of 1962, the construction of Chuanlong Paper Mill, which was aided by my country to Cambodia, was under construction. At that time, I was coming back from the Geneva Conference to solve the Laos issue, and I succeeded Comrade Wang Youping as the ambassador to Cambodia.At a foreign aid conference convened by the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations how to solve the waste water treatment of Chuanlong Paper Mill?Most of the wastewater will be discharged into the Xungong River, the designers said.The Prime Minister immediately said: "This is not acceptable. We aid other countries in their construction. We cannot create public nuisances for others. We must consider the people along the banks of the Xungong River, especially the people along the lower reaches of the river. Discharge of waste water from papermaking into the Xungong River will definitely endanger the fishery industry. and downstream people’s domestic water.” It is required to improve the design immediately, and pollution must be eliminated.According to the requirements of the Prime Minister, the designers immediately consulted the materials of many advanced countries in the paper industry, changed the design, added equipment, and took effective measures for the wastewater treatment of Chuanlong Paper Mill, improving the wastewater treatment process.It was not delivered to the Cambodian side until the problem was resolved, reported to the Prime Minister, and approved. The prime minister educated cadres as early as the founding of the country and established the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be neither humble nor overbearing.All big and strong countries, small and weak countries should be treated as equals.In particular, I urge you not to make the mistake of big country doctrine for small and weak countries.Most of the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America are or were once dependent countries and colonies of imperialist colonialism.We have to respect these countries and their people, and if we respect each other, we will have the strength to defeat imperialism.Some ambassadors were severely criticized by Premier Zhou for not showing enough respect to the host country. During the Bandung Conference, Premier Zhou and representatives of 27 Asian and African countries except the South Vietnamese puppet representatives actively communicated and worked actively.On the evening of the closing day of the Asian-African Conference, the prime ministers of the five sponsoring countries held a reception for Premier Zhou and Vice Premier Chen Yi.But when the closing ceremony ended, it was already past 5 pm. The Prime Minister first apologized to the host of the banquet and said: Since there is still an appointment to be invited, I would like to invite Vice Premier Chen to accompany you first, and I will come back soon after I go.It turned out that the Prime Minister attended the reception at the invitation of the delegation of the host country of Nepal.During the Asian-African Conference, the delegations communicated frequently and the schedule was very full.The Prime Minister is really attending events and doing work in every possible way.The reception of the Nepalese delegation was crammed until the closing day of the conference.The delegation also knew that after the conference ended, the prime ministers of the five co-sponsor countries would invite Premier Zhou Enlai to a banquet that night. They told our protocol officer in private that if Premier Zhou could not attend then, he hoped that a deputy representative would attend.To their surprise, Premier Zhou was invited to attend in person on time, and also brought several representatives from various fields to have a cordial and friendly conversation with the Nepalese delegation.The representative of Nepal was very satisfied with this and was very moved. I was very impressed by Premier Zhou's respect, concern and careful work for small and weak countries. In the early 1960s, Prince Sihanouk handed over his three sons to China to study in China, and asked the Chinese government to arrange for them to study with Chinese students in a middle school.Premier Zhou and sister Deng Yingchao were very concerned about this matter, pointing out that it was Prince Sihanouk's trust in China.He asked us to find a more suitable school for the three princes, and discuss with the school to make arrangements for the education, management and life of the three princes.Premier Zhou and Sister Deng came forward to be the guardians of the three princes.The Prime Minister also instructed to negotiate with the school, to set strict requirements on the education of these young foreign students in Chinese, English, mathematics, discipline, and morality, and to designate special personnel to help them.But in terms of ideology, political thought, labor classes, etc., don't make the same requirements as for Chinese students. Among the three princes, only Prince Yuwana dropped out of school for some reason, and the other two were still studying until the beginning of the "Cultural Revolution", and they all studied very well.Prince Naradipo's academic performance is particularly good, and he scored 5 points in almost all homework. Prince Sihanouk expressed his satisfaction with this. In the summer of 1965, Prince Binnu, a veteran minister of Cambodia and advisor to Prince Sihanouk, came to China for medical treatment.Premier Zhou explained that it would be consulted by Chinese and Western medicine, and Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion.Under the doctor's careful treatment, although it took a short time, the effect has been remarkable.Before Prince Binnu returned to China, the Prime Minister personally accompanied him to visit Kunming Lake and had a very cordial and friendly conversation on the boat.In the same year, Deputy Prime Minister Song Shuang of Cambodia visited China on business, and that day coincided with his 50th birthday. The Prime Minister asked the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to order a colorful flower basket for Song Shuang.Song Shuang was very surprised and deeply moved after receiving it.He also told me afterwards that a great figure like Premier Zhou Enlai treated him so kindly and friendly, which he will never forget. The Prime Minister has had individual conversations with many diplomats stationed in China on various occasions.Some not only know which country and what official he is, but can even remember some people's names.This surprised many and moved them.It was passed on among the missions at that time, and they were extremely amazed. In 1952, Mrs. Pandit, the younger sister of Prime Minister Nehru, led an Indian friendship delegation to visit China.Among her entourage was a servant who waited on the lady.After the Prime Minister greeted Mrs. Pandit and shook hands with the members of the delegation, he also took the initiative to walk up to the entourage who was a little behind the delegation and shook hands with him, which surprised the Indian foreign guests present.Premier Zhou used this seemingly small but meaningful move to explain that the People's Republic of China is led by the proletariat. Our Premier treats foreign guests, even the lowest servants among them, as our guests, so they should be treated equally.This effect is quite large. Diplomatic work is regarded as a beautiful job in the eyes of ordinary people.What people see is that diplomats appear as diplomatic representatives of the country to the outside world, and have their own set of lifestyles as diplomatic representatives of the country that are stipulated. This is what people see.However, most people don't know enough about the arduous tasks and internal and external responsibilities they undertake.I remember that in the early days of the establishment of the Ministry, we transferred a group of college graduates from Shanghai.Some of them are still diligently standing in their respective diplomatic posts, and most of them have become the backbone.There was once a young man who spoke English quite beautifully.We asked him: "What is your wish?" He answered straightforwardly: "Make money!" (Make money!) Later, we had to introduce him to places where he could make money.We feel that it is inappropriate for a comrade like this to be a diplomatic soldier of the new China.Because as a diplomat of New China, to represent the country to the outside world, he must embody the style of a diplomatic representative of New China, and he should have the moral outlook of dedicating everything to the country and the people.Therefore, Premier Zhou Enlai proposed from the very beginning that diplomats must strictly abide by the following four basic principles: 1.Stand firm; 2.Master the policy; 3.Study business; 4.Obey the rules.These four principles are both easy and difficult. On the surface, it is easy, but strict requirements are difficult. (1) Take a firm stand: A diplomat in the new socialist China should be both a patriot and an internationalist.In all foreign affairs activities, they should not only resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the motherland, but also have the courage to defend internationalism and peace, and safeguard the interests of all oppressed nations and peoples.Only by standing firm and adhering to principles can we distinguish between friends and foes, judge right from wrong, distinguish between likes and hates, and have a clear-cut stand, thus gaining the support and support of most countries and peoples. This is the first principle that Premier Zhou and Foreign Minister announced to us.Our country has adhered to the most basic principle on the issue of establishing diplomatic relations with foreign countries: any country that cuts off diplomatic relations with the Taiwan Kuomintang Group and recognizes the People's Republic of China as the only legal government of China can negotiate with it to establish diplomatic relations. The basic position that must be adhered to when establishing diplomatic relations with foreign countries cannot be shaken in the slightest.The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UK is the best example of implementing this principle.Britain recognized the new China, but still maintained its "consulate" in Tamsui, Taiwan, and voted for Chiang Kai-shek at the United Nations against the new China.Therefore, although we had started negotiations on the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in March 1950, we only agreed to exchange chargé d'affaires in June 1954.Until 1971, Ying expressed to me that she was willing to withdraw its "consulate" in Tamsui, Taiwan, and changed its attitude towards China's legal seat in the United Nations, hoping to hold negotiations on upgrading the diplomatic relations between the two countries.After negotiations, China and Britain reached a formal agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations in March 1972.The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the UK lasted for more than 20 years. It has shown the world that we insist on "there is only one China, that is, the new China", and this basic position is unswerving. (2) Mastering policies: Policies are the various codes of action formulated by the country according to the current internal and external situation and historical conditions.Of course, formulating a correct foreign policy is the foundation.However, with the correct policy, it is necessary to implement it well in actual actions.This requires all diplomats to understand and master the foreign policy formulated by the central government.Therefore, Premier Zhou attached great importance to policy education for diplomatic cadres, and often personally explained foreign policy to diplomatic cadres.For example, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States is an important page in the history of Sino-US relations, and it also shows the development of our foreign policy.为了使外交人员和党的负责干部们充分了解对美政策，1971年8月20日周总理向外交干部讲解“外交部声明”，1972年3月3日总理又向中共中央和国务院所属有关单位负责同志百余人讲解中美《联合公报》。先是请人逐段宣读，然后总理逐段做了详细讲解，说明形势变化和我国政策的发展，使大家切实明瞭《联合公报》的精神和意义。 （三）钻研业务：我国的外交干部来自四面八方，各行各业，大多数人不懂外交。有的虽然读过中外历史，但是没有多少人学习过国际关系史，学过国际法的更是凤毛麟角了。因此，建部之始，总理就强调外交干部必须加强学习，努力钻研业务。要求大家结合工作需要，学习马列主义有关文献和毛主席著作中有关文章，并结合自己主管的具体工作，在实践中学习有关业务知识。总理还叮嘱负责干部要尊重客观事实，深入了解驻在国及邻国的情况，加强调查研究。不论工作多么忙，每天要细心阅读国际新闻，了解当地情况，勤于思考，加深认识。 1965年，总理对外交部指出：做调研工作的同志应该具有彻底的唯物主义精神，尊重客观事实，服从真理，把自己置于客观地位，不要受任何框框的限制。考虑问题要一分为二，有了一个看法之后，也可以再从反面考虑。总理不仅这样要求各级干部，而且以身作则，多方面听取意见。他召集会议，为了集思广益，了解情况，常常把有关部门的干部多找一些去。总理尊重人才，不以级别为重，有的会议一竿子插到底，把副部长、司长、专员、处长、科长以至主管科员、翻译等有关人员都找到一起去开会。会上鼓励大家各抒己见，既可以全面了解情况，便于解决问题；同时又可以借机了解干部，培养干部，鼓励独立思考。总理要驻外的重点国家大使们每月至少要写一篇情况汇报，或是专题的或是综合的，报给部里。到时不报的，总理就要主管地区司拍电去催，问大使或使馆为什么这么久没有情况报来。 总理对大使馆和地区司的报告批语，总是写得明确具体，指出其优缺点。总理还教育干部，写文章不要使人看了味同嚼蜡，至少要使人感到看了有所收获。写调研文章，最好使人看了开头，就想一直看下去，要开门见山，引人入胜。有内容，有来源，有数字，有分析，有看法，有估计。这样对中央才有参考价值。对使馆报的情况报告，看到写得较好的，总理往往在报告上写上简单批语，例如：“所报情况值得注意。”“分析得不错。”“使馆看法与国内看法一致。”“内容重要，××司注意研究”。也有的批上：“告使馆再作深入了解。”总理要求使馆对所报情况要加以分析，并作出自己的判断。但同时说明，不要求使馆对形势情况判断准确。因为情况报告要求及时，使馆在国外，地处一隅，不可能对情况了解得很全面，因而也就不可能要求做出准确判断。你们把情况及时报到中央，中央掌握各方面的情况，当然就比较容易全面看问题，也就容易做出比较正确的判断来。 （四）遵守纪律：总理常对外交干部讲：“路线的正确执行须靠纪律保证。”“外交工作一切有关政策问题必须请示报告。”“事关涉外大事，不准边斩边奏，更不准先斩后奏。”“因为某一件事从局部来看，这样做是可以的，但从全局来看，这样做又是有损全局的，因此必须报请中央全面考虑，作出决定。另一个问题是提出或解决的时机是否得当，因此同样须报请中央全面考虑决定。” 周总理有一次对回国开会的驻外大使们说：你们都是特命全权大使，说老实话，特命全权大使其实授权有限。大使在外一切重要行动、正式讲话，事先必须请示，事后必须报告。没有中央授权，不准在外滥发议论，特别是同中央原则相悻的言行，绝对严禁。因为对外工作只有高度集中统一才能形成力量。外交行动如同一个交响乐团，所有不同乐器的演奏者都要统一在一个权威的中央指挥下进行有规律的合奏，才能有效地配合，演奏出优美和谐的乐章来。 在我的记忆中，总理在国外参加会议或出访，每夭不管多晚，都要写电报向中央报告请示。凡重大问题的请示，要一直等到中央复电后才执行。总理的组织性纪律性是大家的表率。 总之，“站稳立场、掌握政策、钻研业务、遵守纪律”这十六个字的外交守则，总理自己都是身体力行的。 二十多年来，周恩来总理同外交部的广大干部在工作、生活的接触中，通过他的言传身教，在各方面都为我们树立了光辉的典范，对我们的思想、工作、作风产生了巨大而深刻的影响，铭刻在心，不可磨灭。尽管岁月流逝，世事变迁，敬爱的周总理的伟大形象在我心中永存。 为了让后代子子孙孙都知道我们中华民族的历史上曾经有过这样一位人民的好总理，写下这篇回忆文章，以表达我对总理不尽的思念。