Page 336 - SELECTED WORKS OF CHEN YUN Volume Ⅲ.indd

334 SELECTED WORKS OF CHEN YUN

throughout the country, they began to oppose China by expelling Chinese
nationals and opened fire on us. We responded with a counterattack. Of
course, our counterattack was only in self-defence; we did not leave any
troops in Vietnam.
If we want to normalize relations between China and the Soviet Union,
we have to remove the three obstacles I mentioned above. If they cannot be
removed all at once, one or two can go first. This is a matter of principle;
and we have to insist. I believe that you too want normalized relations, but
there will be difficulties if no advances are made towards the removal of these
three obstacles. Of course, this does not mean that China and the Soviet
Union, two big neighbours, cannot now improve and develop their relations
with regard to other issues. During recent years our bilateral trade has
developed considerably, and this year it will increase by 36 per cent over last
year. In addition, there have been some exchanges in science, technology and
culture. Our relations in these fields can be further developed in the future;
a lot more can be done in the interest of both sides. I would like to point
out here that not everybody in the world today is happy about the greater
trade and economic cooperation between China and the Soviet Union. Some
people do not want to sell their advanced equipment and technology to us,
nor do they want others to sell these to us. Therefore, I hope that the Soviet
Union will demonstrate a broader perspective on the question of advanced
technology transfer.
I visited the Soviet Union three times in 1935, 1952 and 1959 and know
many people there. But I do not know many in your present central
leadership. I knew Y.V. Andropov, General Secretary of the Central Com-
mittee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, but unfortunately he
died of illness. We now have three echelons in our leadership. Comrades Ye
Jianying, Deng Xiaoping and Li Xiannian and I as well as some other
172
elderly comrades who are 70 or older are in the first echelon. These people
are now free from the day-to-day work of the central leadership. They are
having a rest while keeping state affairs in mind. The second echelon consists
of those around 60 years of age. They are in charge of the day-to-day work
of the central leadership. Today I have specially invited Comrade Yao Yilin
to meet you because he is one of those who are in charge of state affairs who
do most of the work. In addition, we have an echelon comprising talented
people in their 40s or 50s. We are tempering these people in different leading
posts at all levels so that they will be able to succeed us.
I would like to ask you to pass my regards on to all my Soviet friends.