Chapter 43 Premier Zhou sent me to Africa on April 2

Comrade Zhou Enlai was an outstanding diplomat. During his lifetime, he personally participated in the formulation, organization and implementation of my country's diplomatic line and many major diplomatic decisions. He was a founder of New China's diplomatic cause. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, I worked in the foreign affairs department for more than 20 years. I was fortunate to have direct contact with Premier Zhou and personally experienced his great talent and boldness in his diplomatic career. In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou implemented a peaceful foreign policy and did not recognize the old diplomatic relations established by the former Kuomintang government with other countries. He insisted on establishing new diplomatic relations with other countries on a new basis.This principle has enabled our country to change its status of being powerless in diplomacy and establish politically independent diplomatic relations with other countries.

In accordance with Premier Zhou's diplomatic thinking, I was sent to work in Africa in 1956.Under the care and guidance of the Prime Minister, we have gradually opened up the diplomatic situation with African countries. Looking back on this past event, I will never forget it. After World War II, the revolutionary situation in Asia, especially the liberation of China, had a huge impact on the African peoples who were still under colonial rule.They were inspired by it, and the country wanted to be independent and the people's desire for liberation became stronger. In the context of the rising struggle of the people of Asian and African countries against racism and colonialism, in 1955, 29 Asian and African countries held the historic Bandung Conference in Indonesia.At this meeting, our beloved Premier Zhou Enlai's incisive elaboration of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence won the general appreciation of representatives of Asian and African countries, aroused the resonance of many representatives, promoted the unity of the Asian and African peoples, and strengthened the opposition to imperialism. Confidence and strength of doctrine.

During this meeting, Egyptian President Nasser told Premier Zhou that Egypt, whose cotton export occupies an important position in the national economy, suffered huge losses due to the imperialist control of the international cotton market.Premier Zhou asked Nasser, how much cotton does Egypt produce every year?Answer: 8 million tons.After hearing this, Premier Zhou said, for 8 million tons of cotton, each of us Chinese will wear two inches of cloth for you.After the meeting, President Nasser sent his minister of industry and commerce, Nusser, to my country to sign a trade agreement between China and Egypt, which clearly stipulates that the two countries can set up commercial representative offices with diplomatic privileges in the capital of the other country.Subsequently, Egyptian Minister of Religious Affairs Bakuri came to my country again and signed the minutes of cultural talks, stipulating that the two countries can exchange students and professors and other matters.

In November 1955, the Ministry of Education selected five students and one professor to go to Cairo University to study Arabic and teach Chinese.On the eve of departure, Premier Zhou met them in person.Present at that time were Vice Minister Zhang Hanfu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister Ye Jizhuang of the Ministry of Foreign Trade. As Deputy Director-General of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I also attended the meeting. Premier Zhou first talked about his contact with President Nasser at the Bandung Conference.Inquired about the situation of students and professors in detail.Then I said, you (professors and students) are going to Egypt now, where you have no relatives or reason, who will take care of you if you have something to do?I think we should wait until our commercial representative office is established.Then, the Prime Minister asked Minister Shi Ji Zhuang how the organization of our representative office was going, and Mr. Ye replied that he hadn't found anyone with experience in foreign affairs.The Prime Minister immediately pointed at me and said, Zhang Yue goes!The Prime Minister also asked me with concern if I had any concerns about going to Africa.I answered that I had no worries, but I had no idea what the African continent looked like. I just didn't believe in "Africa is dark."The word "dark" in the so-called "Dark Continent of Africa" ​​is nothing but the long-term aggression imposed on Africa by the colonialists.

After the talk, the Prime Minister asked us again, is there any question?I said: Please Premier, if we encounter so-called diplomats from the Kuomintang authorities in Taiwan, how should we behave?The Prime Minister said firmly: Tell them to love the motherland and leave a way out for themselves. Under the urging of the Prime Minister, the team of the commercial representative office was quickly formed. Comrade Li Yingji was the representative, and I was the deputy representative. There were more than 20 people, including translators and support staff, as well as foreign students and professors.Before departure, everyone concentrated on studying for a few days. Da Pusheng, deputy director of the Islamic Association, talked about the customs and habits of Islamic countries and the etiquette we should pay attention to, such as not eating pork, and bringing a Muslim chef.We also discussed whether to bring "Selected Works of Mao Zedong", and finally decided to bring only one, so that everyone can study together.After some preparations, we embarked on a journey to Africa.

In January 1956, we arrived at Cairo Airport.Egyptian Minister of Industry and Commerce Nusser, diplomats and business personnel from the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries greeted us at the airport. After staying here, we met with President Nasser and delivered Premier Zhou's letter to him.He was very polite and friendly when he met us.After some pleasantries, President Nasser talked about his meeting with Premier Zhou at the Bandung Conference.He also said that from Premier Zhou Enlai's speech, he understood better what imperialism and colonialism are, and how they used the strong to bully the weak, bully the weak and small countries, plunder the wealth of these countries, and oppress the people of these countries.Then, President Nasser asked us about our situation after we arrived in Cairo with concern, and said that we can contact him at any time if we need anything. The gate of the Presidential Palace is open to us, and he is very warm and friendly to us.

In order to enjoy the corresponding diplomatic treatment and hang the "CD" sign on our chartered car, we went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find Foreign Minister Fazi.He said that the "CD" sign cannot be hung without formal diplomatic relations.We raised the matter again with President Nasser.He expressed his concern and said, what are you fighting for about that brand? I have ordered our police to protect and provide convenience for any Chinese cars they see.Afterwards, a pass card was still given. In February 1956, according to the minutes of the Sino-Egyptian cultural talks, my country sent a team led by Bao Erhan, Ma Yuhuai, and Ma Hanbing, composed of more than 80 people including Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe, the Fourth Chinese Peking Opera Troupe, general political singers, writers, and photographers. The Chinese cultural and art delegation visited Egypt.Wherever he went, he was warmly received by the Egyptian authorities and warmly welcomed by people from all walks of life.Many performances were performed at the Cairo Grand Theater, and the venues were sold out.President Nasser and Egyptian military and political officials all watched the performance of the art troupe.Nasser also received the leaders and main actors of the art troupe, and praised China's long history, splendid culture and art, and the wonderful performances of the actors.The Egyptian side also arranged for the art troupe to visit the ancient temples of the Lokso on the Upper Nile and the Aswan Dam under construction.

During the visit of our cultural and art delegation to Egypt, the head of the delegation, Bakourhan, and the Egyptian Minister of Religious Affairs, Bakuri, signed the cultural cooperation agreement on behalf of the Chinese and Egyptian governments. In March, my country participated in the large-scale international exposition held in Cairo. Cultural exchange and the establishment of trade links are the two wings of developing diplomatic relations, and at the same time, they are the vanguards that open the way.The establishment of my country's business representative office in Cairo, the success of China's cultural and art delegation's visit to Egypt, and the signing of the cultural cooperation agreement between the two countries have strengthened dialogue between governments, connected people, enhanced understanding, and deepened friendship, thereby contributing to the The establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and Egypt paved the way.

On the evening of May 29, 1956, Ali Sabri, Director of the Political Bureau of the Egyptian Presidential Palace, met with Representative Li Yingji and me. He represented the Egyptian government Yibu: Egypt recognizes Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, and the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government representing China. , starting tomorrow (May 30, 1956), Egypt will sever all diplomatic relations with the Kuomintang government in Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with the People's Republic of China. Please report to your government, and we will also notify the Kuomintang authorities in Taiwan at the same time The "ambassador" here.

Egypt is an influential country in the Arab world and one of the few independent countries on the African continent.The establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and my country not only expanded my country's influence among Arab countries, but also established a bridgehead for my country's diplomatic line to go further into Africa. After my culture and art troupe visited Egypt, Premier Zhou instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform me to lead a trade group to join the art troupe and continue to visit other African countries.We visited Sudan first, and when we arrived in Khartoum, Sudanese Prime Minister al-Assari met with Bulhan and other leaders and the main performers of the art troupe, and said: I warmly welcome you, your visit will increase the friendship between our two peoples.We originally planned to perform in Sudan for a week, but due to the repeated requests of the Sudanese people, we added a few more performances.Although no agreement was reached in Sudan, my country's influence in Sudan has been expanded.

Next, go to Ethiopia. Our visit coincided with Emperor Selassie's Enthronement Day (equal to National Day).Our whole group was invited to participate in the champagne reception of their royal family, and was also invited to watch the parade from the viewing stand.When Emperor Selassie passed the viewing platform, he waved to us frequently.When we performed, there was a curfew in Addis Ababa at 9pm, and our show ended at 10pm.In this way, the audience cannot go home after the show ends.When we raised this question, Selassie issued an order: You can pass with Chinese theater tickets at night.Finally, he brought the queen and other members of the royal family to watch the show, have dinner and present gifts.After the visit, he asked his pilot to fly us back to Cairo. After returning to Cairo, the art troupe had a rest, and then went to Syria and Lebanon for friendly visits and performances, and talked with the Syrian government about signing cultural agreements and setting up commercial representative offices.We also visited Palestinian refugee camps in the desert.Wherever he went, he was welcomed by the local people. The last stop of the art troupe's visit is Lebanon.We talked about the establishment of a business representative office in Beirut and the signing of a cultural agreement between the two countries, and reached an oral agreement on the establishment of a business representative office.So far, the visit of the Chinese cultural and art delegation has come to a successful conclusion. Today, my country has established diplomatic relations with most countries in West Asia and Africa, and the friendly relations between governments and peoples have continued to develop. This cannot but be said to be the fruit of the personal guidance of Premier Zhou Enlai.Recalling that in Egypt, my country sent a business representative office enjoying diplomatic privileges, and it only took half a year to squeeze out the "embassy" of the Taiwan authorities. It is another example of Premier Zhou guiding my country's diplomatic activities.