Kremlin sends new signal to Chinese

Press, 4 October 1982, Page 8

Kremlin sends new signal to Chinese

NZPA Vienna The Soviet bloc, in an outspoken article in the Hungarian Communist 'Party daily “Nepszabadsag” yesterday, has again signalled that the time is ripe to heal relations with China. The article, by a senior editor, Janos Berecz, a member. of the Hungarian Com-. munist Party’s central committee. concluded: “Progressive mankind badly needs a peaceful China .... a China building socialism also needs settled and peaceful relations with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries." The Soviet Union often

uses its allies as soundingboards for sensitive issues, and has indicated that it is seeking to heal the breach with China which opened in the late 19505. Soviet propaganda criticism of China has been dropped before a meeting between a Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, Leonid Ilychov, and Chinese officials in Peking later this month. The article, carried by the official M.T.I. news agency, commented favourably on Peking's recent twelfth Communist Party congress, which passed with little mention in the East bloc press at the time. Referring to the congress.

the article said: "There is no doubt that there are some promising changes compared with the political line and practice of the past nearly 25 years, which could pave'the way for an approach to the socialist countries. “But we cannot forget there is much ambiguity and uncertainty in the Chinese standpoint on major questions." It said that peaceful coexistence with Japan and the United States was, essential for China, but added the warning that all socialist countries faced • the same enemies of capitalism and imperialism.