China

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31462, 31 August 1967, Page 10

China

Sir,—“P.J.A.” should study recent history before rushing into print. His statement that Red China will make no war on any other country unless attacked is out of date. In 1950 China attacked and occupied Tibet and her troops are still in occupation. Later she committed aggression against India and still occupies Indian territory. This latter war was only halted when the late Pandit Nehru called in the American and British chiefs of staff. His contention (in essence) that China will be the object of a military onslaught is absurd. Is “P.J.A.” so naive as to believe that the Western Powers are allowing China to amass the world's largest army and become strong in nuclear weapons before attacking? China’s attitude is full of aggression and now has an estimated 250,000 troops on Indian territory.— Yours, etc., L. J. JONES. Hanmer Springs, August 29, 1967.

Sir,—l would like to refer all the sneering comment to the front page, where there is a picture of the Corriedale sheep being sent to China. New Zealand is a nation of sheep, as someone has remarked, and the variety dressed in human clothes should go to China, where they will see a new nation in the process of being built up, new industries, new buildings, and a new thought, a revolution in human experience. It is a pity that some New Zealanders do not take seriously the implications connected with the sheep industry, and sell more of their wool and send more of their sheep to China. The Chinese are a wonderful people, hospitable, and loving their children in the best tradition. Why, then, all this hate? Chairman Mao has said, “We are advocates of the abolition of war. We do not want war: but war can only be abolished through war ...” —Yours, etc., P.J.A August 30, 1967.

Sir,—Do my eyes deceive me? Is “PJ.A.” really admitting that all is not well in the Chinese people’s paradise? He speaks of revolution in the present tense; he refers to the burning of the British Embassy in Peking as though it were an accepted fact and not a malicious fabrication of anti-Chinese newspapermen! Would he pass his opinion on the assault and burning by the Chinese in Hong Kong and the subsequent Communist boasting about the deed? Does “P.J.A.” feel like boasting?—Yours, etc., T.M.

August 29, 1967.