China said to want strong Europe

Press, Issue 33842, 14 May 1975, Page 17

China said to want strong Europe

PARIS. May 13

The Chinese Deputy Prime Minister. Mr long Hsiao Ping, and President Valery Giscurd d Isiaing. of branee. "ill today begin talks expected to locus on China's tears of growing Soviet global influence.

Mr Teng, the most senior Peking leader to visit Western Europe since the People’s Republic was founded in

1949, entered into talks with Government chiefs immediately on his arrival yesterday. After meeting with Mr Feng, the French Prime Minister .(Mr Jacques Chira- i announced that France and China had agteed to hold regular political consultations at Foreign Minister level. French officials expected the talks to focus on Peking’s desire for a strong Europe as a bulwark against feared Soviet encroachment Observers believed that through these regular consultations China hoped to check support for a Sovietsponsored summit meeting >f the European Security Conference. Chinese officials said that the conference would allow the Russians to increase pressure on China after securing their position in Europe. The 71-year-old Mr Teng made no secret of China’s desire to delay any further rapprochement between the Soviet Union and Western Europe. At a dinner given in his honour last night, he said: “We know well from where comes the main threat to which Europe and the world ■are exposed.”

Mr lene said ' lb. <ituarion in the world is far trom being quiet. The Super Powers are quarrelling for he hegemonx of the world.

ihe\ pursue their rivalry wit -edoubled tenaciousne** namelv in I urope. so that th' fact< rs of war are constant increasing "