September 30, 1959
USSR AND CHINA: Beijing – The welcome given to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev upon his arrival in China was noteworthy for the perfect turnout by the government and its officials, but the complete absence of any members of the public. This was seen as an indication of the Chinese authorities’ dissatisfaction with Moscow’s failure to impose recognition of China as a world power and its accession to the United Nations. Later, obviously in response to explanations given by Khrushchev, the atmosphere improved to the point where Prime Minister Chou En-Lai expressed recognition of the Soviet Union’s leaders as the head of the «Socialist camp» and to praise Khrushchev’s visit to the United States as an event of historic importance for the consolidation of peace. There were comments about the fact that Khrushchev focused on urging peace and emphasized the importance of his talks with US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Even when comparing capitalism and communism, he ruled out the use of force to impose socialism, saying that people were able to freely judge its superior value. Generally, despite the somewhat frosty reception from his hosts, Khrushchev’s speeches were pervaded by a pacifist tone and optimism that the international situation would improve.
