Interviewer: COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF SINO-SOVIET NUCLEAR COOPERATION IN THE 1950S? HOW DID CHINA BENEFIT FROM THE SINO-SOVIET NUCLEAR AGREEMENT OF 1957? WHY DID CHINA EMBARK ON A NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM?
Xu: As you may be aware, China and the Soviet Union conducted their bilateral relations within the framework of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Mutual Assistance in the '50s.
Xu: In the light of the then existing international situation and confronted with an external nuclear threat, China began to embark upon a program of nuclear research and development in order to catch up with the industrialized countries in the utilization of nuclear energy and in strengthening our own defense capability.
Xu: The Sino-Soviet Agreement on New Technology for National Defense was signed in October 1957.
Xu: However, this agreement was not implemented as a result of the unilateral action on the part of the Soviet Union which refused to provide us with blueprints and technological material, as mentioned in the agreement.
Xu: Consequently, China had to rely on her own efforts in the field of nuclear research and development.
Xu: However, we have always objectively evaluated the Soviet experts' assistance in China's construction in the 1950s.
Interviewer: (ASKS TO REPEAT ANSWER).
Xu: As you may be aware, China and the Soviet Union conducted their bilateral relations within the framework of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Mutual Assistance in the '50s.
Xu: In the light of the then existing international situation and confronted with an external nuclear threat, China began to embark upon a program of nuclear research and development in order to catch up with the industrialized countries in the utilization of nuclear energy and in strengthening our own defense capability.
Xu: The Sino-Soviet Agreement on New Technology for National Defense was signed in October 1957.
Xu: However, this agreement was not implemented as a result of the unilateral action on the part of the Soviet Union which refused to provide us with blueprints and technological material, as mentioned in the agreement.
Xu: Consequently, China had to rely on her own efforts in the field of nuclear research and development.
Xu: However, we have always objectively evaluated the Soviet experts' assistance in China's construction in the 1950s.
Interviewer: HOW DID CHAIRMAN MAO ZEDONG VIEW THE UTILITY OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS?
Xu: Chairman Mao viewed man as the decisive factor in the outcome of a war, not weapons, including nuclear weapons.
Xu: Today, we still subscribe to this view.
Interviewer: (ASKS TO REPEAT ANSWER).
Xu: Chairman Mao viewed man as the decisive factor in the outcome of a war, not weapons, including nuclear weapons.
Xu: Today, we still subscribe to this view.
Interviewer: HOW DID CHINA ASSESS THE US NUCLEAR THREAT DURING THE QUEMOY-MATSU CRISIS OF 1958?
Xu: On May 11, 1957, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, lodging a strong protest against the US provocative actions of stationing missile-equipped air force in Taiwan.
Xu: On September 29, 1958, the spokesman of the Chinese Defense Ministry exposed the then US Government's design of attempting to use missiles against the Chinese air force.
Xu: On October 6, the same year, in a Letter to Taiwan Compatriots, Defense Minister Peng Dehuai demanded the withdrawal of US troops and stated that the question of US occupation of Taiwan and Quemoy-Matsu should be resolved by negotiations.
Xu: It is quite clear that we did everything possible to avert an escalation of the tension in the Taiwan Straits and conflicts in the region.
Interviewer: WHY DID CHINA OPPOSE THE 1963 PARTIAL TEST BAN TREATY?
Xu: On July 25, 1963, representatives from the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union signed in Moscow a Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Xu: We regarded this as an attempt by the three nuclear powers to consolidate their nuclear monopoly, and to bind hand and foot all peace-loving countries, which are under the nuclear threat.
Xu: We have all along stood for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all nuclear weapons.
Xu: We have repeatedly stated that China's limited numbers of nuclear tests are for the sole purpose of self-defense and that China will never be the first to use nuclear weapons.
Xu: Nor will China proliferate nuclear weapons or deploy nuclear weapons abroad.
Interviewer: WHAT WERE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST IN 1964? TO WHOM DID YOU ATTRIBUTE ITS SUCCESS?
Xu: On October 16, 1964, China successfully conducted its first nuclear test.
Xu: I think it is a great contribution made by the Chinese people to the cause of defending world peace.
Xu: China was forced to carry out nuclear experiments under the increasing nuclear threat from the superpowers.
Xu: From the very first day when we successfully conducted our first nuclear test, we made it clear that it was aimed at breaking the nuclear monopoly by the big nuclear states and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons.
Xu: I think the successful Chinese nuclear experiment is a victory for our policy of self-reliance and also a result of the hard work on the part of our engineers, scientists, technicians, People's Liberation Army officers and men, workers as well as other people working in the field of national defense.
Xu: As a citizen of my country, I feel proud that the People's Republic of China has entered the nuclear age!
Interviewer: COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW CHINESE NUCLEAR STRATEGY DIFFERED FROM THAT OF THE US AND THE SOVIET UNION DURING THE '60S?
Xu: China's development of nuclear weapons is entirely for the purpose of self-defense, and the number of tests is very limited and the amount of nuclear weapons she possesses is very small.
Xu: Whereas the Soviet Union and the United States have been trying to outdo each other in their nuclear arms race.
Xu: As a result, they possess the largest and most sophisticated nuclear arsenals in the world.
Interviewer: WHAT WAS THE CHINESE POSITION REGARDING THE NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY?
Xu: China has reservations on and is critical of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons because the obligations nuclear states and non-nuclear states should assume under it respectively are imbalanced and unfair.
Xu: The treaty only limits horizontal proliferation and places no limits at all on the continuous expansion and improvement of the nuclear arsenals of the superpowers.
Xu: It is known to all that China stands for nuclear non-proliferation.
Xu: China does not advocate or encourage nuclear proliferation, nor does it help other countries to develop nuclear weapons.
Interviewer: (ASKS TO REPEAT ANSWER).
Xu: China has reservations on and is critical of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons because the obligations nuclear states and non-nuclear states should assume under it respectively are imbalanced and unfair.
Xu: The treaty only limits horizontal proliferation and places no limits at all on the continuous expansion and improvement of the nuclear arsenals of the superpowers.
Xu: It is known to all that China stands for nuclear non-proliferation.
Xu: China does not advocate or encourage nuclear proliferation, nor does it help other countries to develop nuclear weapons.
Interviewer: THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT CHINA HAS GIVEN CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE TO THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM OF PAKISTAN.
Interviewer: IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THESE REPORTS?
Xu: Our cooperation in the development of nuclear energy with other countries such as France, the Federal Germany, the United States, Brazil, Pakistan and Japan, whether currently under way or under discussion, serves and will serve peaceful purposes only and not any non-peaceful purposes.
Xu: China requires the acceptance of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) security safeguards by the recipient countries in respect of China's nuclear export.
Xu: The Chinese Government holds that every country has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Xu: International cooperation in this field is of utmost importance.
Xu: China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with other countries to ensure that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy bring bountiful benefits to all mankind.
Interviewer: WOULD YOU AGREE WITH STATEMENT THAT NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY OF POWER?
Xu: No.
Xu: Weapons, including nuclear weapons, are important, but they are not the decisive factor.
Xu: The will of the people is the essential factor for the maintenance of world peace.
Xu: It is encouraging to note that the people of the whole world, having suffered enough from the scourge of war, have been taking an increasingly active part in the maintenance of world peace.
Xu: We believe peace will triumph over war.
Interviewer: HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE NEXT TEN YEARS IN THE NUCLEAR AGE?
Xu: Peace and development are the two most important and urgent questions in the world today.
Xu: Like other countries of the world, China needs a peaceful international environment to implement her modernization program.
Xu: China not only wants peace for the next ten years, but for the next century.
Xu: Therefore, I wish to see that in the next ten years, the United States and the Soviet Union will reach agreements on nuclear and conventional disarmament and create conditions necessary for a general nuclear disarmament by all nuclear states.
Interviewer: HOW DID CHINA ASSESS THE US NUCLEAR THREAT DURING THE KOREAN WAR?
Xu: We were aware of the threat, and had made necessary preparations, but we thought the final outcome of the war would have to be decided on the battlefield.
Interviewer: IN 1967, US SECRETARY MCNAMARA HAD REJECTED AN ABM SYSTEM AGAINST SOVIET MISSILES AS UNWORKABLE.
Interviewer: HE DID, HOWEVER, ASK FOR A LIMITED SYSTEM AGAINST CHINESE MISSILES.
Interviewer: WHAT WAS CHINA'S REACTION TO THAT?
Xu: Nobody in the world really believed that Chinese missiles ever posed a threat to the US.
Xu: On the contrary, in the '60s there were frequent intrusions by US Aircraft into China’s airspace and even launching of US missiles against Chinese frontier troops.
Xu: The Chinese Government denounced such provocations.
Interviewer: WHY WAS CHINA INTERESTED IN NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH THE US DURING THE NIXON PRESIDENCY AND HOW DID CHINA HOPE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW RELATIONSHIP?
Xu: China stands by the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
Xu: If these norms are observed, countries with different social systems and ideologies can get along well with each other.
Xu: On the basis of the five principles, China strives to establish, resume or expand normal relations with all countries in the world.
Xu: After so many years without contact, the People's Republic of China and the United States realized that normalization of relations between the two countries is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the world.
Xu: Both China and the United States view bilateral trade as an area from which mutual benefit can be derived, and agreed that economic relations based on equality and mutual benefit are in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.
Xu: Another area that will be mutually beneficial is that of people-to-people contacts and exchanges in such fields as science, technology, culture, sports and journalism.
Interviewer: WHAT WAS THE CHINESE POSITION REGARDING THE SALT I TALKS HELD BETWEEN 1969 AND 1972? WHAT WAS CHINA'S POSITION ON THE SALT II NEGOTIATION?
Xu: Negotiations conducted by the Soviet Union and the United States on SALT I and SALT II have neither stopped their arms race, nor reduced its speed.
Xu: Nevertheless, dialogue and negotiation are better than confrontation, and relaxation is better than tension.
Xu: We welcome the resumption of negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States on arms control and hope they can reach agreement on the drastic reduction of nuclear arms without prejudice to the interests of other countries.
Xu: We hold that international security is indivisible.
Xu: While the security of Europe is important, the security of Asia is equally important.
Xu: We insist that in accordance with the same principle, there should be a simultaneous and balanced reduction of all strategic and nuclear weapons deployed in both Europe and Asia until their complete destruction.
Interviewer: WHY WAS CHINA INTERESTED IN NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH THE US DURING THE CARTER PRESIDENCY?
Xu: Almost seven years after the issuance of the Shanghai communiqué in 1972, the Government of the United States finally acknowledged that there is only one China and Taiwan is a part of China, recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China, and agreed to do three things: first, withdraw its troops from Taiwan and the Taiwan Straits; second, sever diplomatic relations with Kuomintang; and third, abrogate its defense treaty with Kuomintang.
Xu: Both the United States and China believe that normalization of Sino-American relations is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world.
Xu: Practice since 1979 has proved that normalization of Sino-American relations has provided the basis for the development of Sino-US exchanges in the fields of trade, science, technology, culture, sports and journalism and that the steady development of Sino-US relations contributes to world peace.
Interviewer: (RESTATE FIRST ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: As you may be aware, China and the Soviet Union conducted their bilateral relations within the framework of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Mutual Assistance in the '50s.
Xu: In the light of the then existing international situation and confronted with an external nuclear threat, China began to embark upon a program of nuclear research and development in order to catch up with the industrialized countries in the utilization of nuclear energy and in strengthening our own defense capability.
Xu: The Sino-Soviet Agreement on New Technology for National Defense was signed in October 1957.
Xu: However, this agreement was not implemented as a result of the unilateral action on the part of the Soviet Union which refused to provide us with blueprints and technological material, as mentioned in the agreement.
Xu: Consequently, China had to rely on her own efforts in the field of nuclear research and development.
Xu: However, we have always objectively evaluated the Soviet experts' assistance in China's construction in the 1950s.
Interviewer: (RESTATE SECOND ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: Chairman Mao viewed man as the decisive factor in the outcome of a war, not weapons, including nuclear weapons.
Xu: Today, we still subscribe to this view.
Interviewer: (RESTATE THIRD ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: On May 11, 1957, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, lodging a strong protest against the US provocative actions of stationing missile-equipped air force in Taiwan.
Xu: On September 29, 1958, the spokesman of the Chinese Defense Ministry exposed the then US Government's design of attempting to use missiles against the Chinese air force.
Xu: On October 6, the same year, in a Letter to Taiwan Compatriots, Defense Minister Peng Dehuai demanded the withdrawal of US troops and stated that the question of US occupation of Taiwan and Quemoy-Matsu should be resolved by negotiations.
Xu: It is quite clear that we did everything possible to avert an escalation of the tension in the Taiwan Straits and conflicts in the region.
Interviewer: (RESTATE THIRD ANSWER YET AGAIN)
Xu: On May 11, 1957, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, lodging a strong protest against the US provocative actions of stationing missile-equipped air force in Taiwan.
Xu: On September 29, 1958, the spokesman of the Chinese Defense Ministry exposed the then US Government's design of attempting to use missiles against the Chinese air force.
Xu: On October 6, the same year, in a Letter to Taiwan Compatriots, Defense Minister Peng Dehuai demanded the withdrawal of US troops and stated that the question of US occupation of Taiwan and Quemoy-Matsu should be resolved by negotiations.
Xu: It is quite clear that we did everything possible to avert an escalation of the tension in the Taiwan Straits and conflicts in the region.
Interviewer: (RESTATE EIGHTH ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: Our cooperation in the development of nuclear energy with other countries such as France, the Federal Germany, the United States, Brazil, Pakistan and Japan, whether currently under way or under discussion, serves and will serve peaceful purposes only and not any non-peaceful purposes.
Xu: China requires the acceptance of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) security safeguards by the recipient countries in respect of China's nuclear export.
Xu: The Chinese Government holds that every country has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Xu: International cooperation in this field is of utmost importance.
Xu: China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with other countries to ensure that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy bring bountiful benefits to all mankind.
Interviewer: (RESTATE NINTH ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: No.
Xu: Weapons, including nuclear weapons, are important, but they are not the decisive factor.
Xu: The will of the people is the essential factor for the maintenance of world peace.
Xu: It is encouraging to note that the people of the whole world, having suffered enough from the scourge of war, have been taking an increasingly active part in the maintenance of world peace.
Xu: We believe peace will triumph over war.
Interviewer: (RESTATE PREVIOUS ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: China stands by the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
Xu: If these norms are observed, countries with different social systems and ideologies can get along well with each other.
Xu: On the basis of the five principles, China strives to establish, resume or expand normal relations with all countries in the world.
Xu: After so many years without contact, the People's Republic of China and the United States of America believed that normalization of relations between the two countries is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the world.
Xu: Both China and the United States view bilateral trade as an area from which mutual benefit can be derived, and agreed that economic relations based on equality and mutual benefit are in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.
Xu: Another area that will be mutually beneficial is that of people-to-people contacts and exchanges in such fields as science, technology, culture, sports and journalism.
Interviewer: (RESTATE FIRST ANSWER AGAIN)
Xu: As you may be aware, China and the Soviet Union conducted their bilateral relations within the framework of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Mutual Assistance in the '50s.
Xu: In the light of the then existing international situation and confronted with an external nuclear threat, China began to embark upon a program of nuclear research and development in order to catch up with the industrialized countries in the utilization of nuclear energy and in strengthening our own defense capability.
Xu: The Sino-Soviet Agreement on New Technology for National Defense was signed in October 1957.
Xu: However, this agreement was not implemented as a result of the unilateral action on the part of the Soviet Union which refused to provide us with blueprints and technological material, as mentioned in the agreement.
Xu: Consequently, China had to rely on her own efforts in the field of nuclear research and development.
Xu: However, we have always objectively evaluated the Soviet experts' assistance in China's construction in the 1950s.
Interviewer: THANK YOU.
Xu: Thank you.