TREATY SIGNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 105, 16 February 1950, Page 5

TREATY SIGNED

RUSSIA AND CHINA DEFENCE AGAINST AGGRESSION (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) LONDON, February 15. The Peiping radio announced to-day that the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Govern-' ment had signed a 30-year treaty of friendship and 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 ether 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 <f peace and 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.

Peace Treaty

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 or 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: —

(!) Russia will give China a longterm credit equivalent to £107,000,000 for Fotiet industrial and railway equipment. The credit will be repayable in. 10 years instalments, beginning dn 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 becoipe effec five after a peace treaty has been concluded with Japan, or at the latest by 1952.

(3) If either party is subjected to aggression by Japan or any State the Soviet Union may jointly use the Port Arthur naval base to conduct joint military operations against the aggressor. s

Mr Vyshinsky’s Speech

The Soviet Foreign Minister (Mr A. J. Vyshinsky), speaking after the signing of the treaty with China, said:, ••'The treaty expresses the striving of our two peoples for eternal friendship for iho greater benefit of mankind, peace, and international co-operation. “The determination of our peoples to develop and stx c-ngtnen the economic and cultural links between Soviet Russia and China, and to help each other, economically, is expressed by the willingness of the Soviet Union to grant long-term credits to CJhina. The agreements and the treaty are most fmp uiant contributions to the cause of the consolidation of peace and democracy in the who’c' world.” The Chinese Communist Foreign Minister (Gc-n oral Chou En-lai) said the treaty was based on the vital interests of China arc! the Soviet Union. It indicated brclherly friendship and eternal coopeiaiion 1 etween ilie two countries.

General Chou added: “There can be no doubt that this close, sincere eo operation between China and the Soviet Union has a profound historical meaning, and will inevitably have a paramount influence on the cause of peace and justice for Eastern peoples and for the whofe world.” Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent says London diplomatic quarters feel that the main agreements reached in the talks between Russia and Communist China in Moscow are not visible 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 Peiping 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 almost two months can have been spent solely in altering the text of a discarded treaty,” says the correspondent.

Close Similarities “A comparison with the 1945 treaty shows close similarities. Like the old, the new treaty is a 30-year alliance, primarily directed against a resurgent Japan. The substance of the post-war treaties between Russia and its European satellites is drawn upon for a mutual defence stand against any States in any way linked with Japan, and this presumably is aimed at the Western Allies. “Apparent concessions to China are the agreements on credits and on the Manchurian railway, Dairen and Port Arthur. Another important gain by the new Chinese Republic is the Soviet decision to hand over, without compensation, Japanese enterprises in Manchuria acquired by Soviet interests.

“Observers in London noted a surprising admission of the often-suggest-ed state of affairs by which, since the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Government has effectively con trolled Manchuria’s economy.”