Mr Muldoon in Great Hall

Press, 12 September 1980, Page 1

Mr Muldoon in Great Hall

NZPA Correspondent Peking The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) reached Peking yesterday afternoon on a day of historic “firsts” for China. . Within 21 hours of his arrival, Mr Muldoon was to become the first foreign leader to meet the new Chinese Prime Minister (Mr Zhao Ziyang) and subsequently to attend the new leader’s first formal banquet in the Great Hall of the People. A third “first” was Mr Muldoon’s welcome at Peking Airport. In line with a recent Chinese policy decision, there was little ceremonial and Mr Muldoon was warmly but quietly greeted by the Vice-Foreign Minister (Mr Zhang Wenjin). Ceremonial was to come later at the Great Hall where at the eastern entrance Mr Muldoon was greeted with a guard of honour and the playing of the national anthems of both countries. . • Mr Muldoon was greeted there by Mr Zhao , and after informal talks both leaders proceeded to the banquet room. New Zealand’s opposition to the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea and. Soviet activity in Afghanistan was made clear to Mr Zhao by Mr Muldoon. In a speech at the banquet, Mr Muldoon said New Zealand opposed

armed intervention by one country in the affairs of another and the imposition of a government by force from abroad. While his host, Mr Zhao, listened attentively, Mr Muldoon said New Zealand was ready and willing to work , with China to limit human suffering wherever possible, “preferably by ending the conflicts that cause it.” Mr Muldoon said it was important for the region and the world that China succeed in its modernisation programme. “We in New Zealand want very much to see a prosperous and outwardlooking China playing a full and constructive part in the international system. “That, in our view, is not only China’s' natural role, commensurate with its size and historical influence: it is a prerequisite for a stable world,” Mr Muldoon said.