THIRTY-YEAR TREATY SIGNED— Soviet Alliance With Communist China

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1950, Page 6

THIRTY-YEAR TREATY SIGNED— Soviet Alliance With Communist China

LONDON, February 15.—The Peking radio announced today that the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Government had signed a 30-year treaty of friendship arid alliance in Moscow., The treaty provides that Russia and China will undertake jointly all necessary measures at their disposal to prevent any repetition of aggression and violation of the peace by Japan or any other State which directly or indirectly would unite with Japan in acts of aggression. In the event of one party to the treaty being attacked by Japan or any State allied with her, the other party will immediately tender military or other aid with all the means at its disposal.

The parties likewise declare their readiness to take part, in all international actions which have as their object the assurance of peace arid security throughout the world, and will completely devote their energies to the speediest realisation of these objects.

The parties undertake, in a spirit of friendship and co-operation, and in accordance with the principles of equality, to develop and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the Soviet Union and China, and to render each other every possible economic aid. The parties declare their respect for each other’s sovereignty, and guarantee non-intervention in each other’s internal affairs. Financial And Military Aid Under the terms of the treaty, Russia and China undertake to work for the conclusion in the shortest possible time, jointly with the other Powers allied during the Second World War, of a peace treaty with Japan. Neither Russia nor China will conclude any alliance directed against the other, or participate in any coalition pr in 'actions or measures directed against the other. The treaty will remain in force for 30 years. If neither party denounces it within a year of its expiry, it will remain in force for another five years, and can then be prolonged again. Russia and China have also signed agreements as follows:— (1) Russia will give China a longterm credit equivalent to £107,000,000 for Soviet industrial and railway equipment. The credit will be repayable in 10 yearly instalments, beginning in December, 1954. (2) The Manchurian railway will be returned to Chinese control, and Chinese troops will leave the Port Arthur naval base. Russia will give up her interest in the port of Dairen. These arrangements will become ef-

fective'after a peace treaty has been ’ concluded with Japan, or at the latest I by 1952. i (3) If either party is subjected to ' aggression by Japan or any State which is united with Japan, China arid the Soviet Union may jointly use the Port Arthur naval base to conduct joint military operations against the aggressor.

f Mr Vyshinsky Speaks i The Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr A. i J. Vyshinsky), speaking after the :> signing of\the treaty with China, said: - “The treaty expresses the striving of r our two peoples for eternal friendship , for the greater benefit of mankind, i, peace, and international co-operation. “The determination of our peoples to develop and strengthen the econ--1 omic and cultural links between c' Soviet Russia and China, and to help ? each other economically, is expressed s by the willingness of the Soviet Union , to grant long-term credits to China. The agreements and the treaty are - most important contributions to the 3 cause of the consolidation of peace i and democracy in the whole world.” 1 The Chinese Communist Foreign Minister (General Chou En-lai) said L’ the treat ywas abused on the vital ins terests of China and the Soviet Union. I It indicated brotherly friendship and , eternal co-operation between the two countries. i General Chou added: “There can be no doubt that this close, sincere co- - operation between China and the - Soviet Union has a profound histori- • cal meaning, and will inevitably have ■ a paramount influence on the cause of • peace and justice for Eastern peoples ! and for the whole world.” II London’s Diplomats’ Opinions I I Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent > says London diplomatic quarters feel i that the main agreement reached in • the talks between Russia and Comi munist China in Moscow are not vis- ■ I ible in the new treaty, which in many ways merely rewrites the chief clauses of Russia’s 1945 treaty with the Chinese Nationalists. “Though it would be too. simple to expect the heads of the Peking and Moscow Governments to tell the world of any plans they may have laid for the consolidation and extension of Asiatic and Far Eastern Communism, it is thought unlikely that al--1 most two months can have been spent solely in altering the text of a discarded treaty,’ says the correspondent. ' “A comparison with the 1945 treaty shows close similarities. Like the old, the new treaty is a 30-year alli- ! ance, primarily directed against a resurgent Japan. The substance of the post-war treaties between Russia and its European satellites is drawn upon lor a mutual defence stand against any States in any way linked with Japan, and this presumably is aimed at the Western Allies.”