邓小平文选/答美国记者迈克・华莱士问

Deng Xiaoping: There is something new in Gorbachev's speech in Vladivostok, and that is why we have expressed cautious welcome to what is new and positive in it.

Soon after Gorbachev made his speech, an official from the Foreign Ministry of the Soviet Union also made a speech that was different in tone.

This shows that the Soviet authorities have to decide among themselves what policies to pursue with regard to China, so we still have to wait and see.

Would you be prepared to meet Gorbachev at the summit?

Deng: If Gorbachev takes a solid step towards the removal of the three major obstacles in Sino-Soviet relations, particularly if he urges Vietnam to end its aggression in Kampuchea and withdraw its troops from there, I for my part will be ready to meet him.

Wallace: The Vietnamese said just this morning that they would like to engage in negotiations with China to bring an end to the difficulties between Vietnam and China.

We have told them explicitly that the prerequisite is the withdrawal of all Vietnamese troops from Kampuchea.

The question of Kampuchea should be settled by the four parties in Kampuchea through consultation.

Wallace: So, as far as a summit between Deng and Gorbachev is concerned, the ball is in Mr. Gorbachev's court?

On this question, the Soviet Union can play its part.

Because without Soviet backing, the Vietnamese could not go on fighting in Kampuchea for a single day.

That is why I say that the Soviet Union has not taken a big step towards the removal of the three major obstacles.

Wallace: It seems that Chinese relations with capitalist America are better than Chinese relations with the Soviet communists.Why is that?

The relations between China and the United States are determined in the context of their specific conditions,

Deng: As I have said, if the Soviet Union can contribute to the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Kampuchea, that will remove the main obstacle in Sino-Soviet relations.

I will say it once again: the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea constitutes the main obstacle in Sino-Soviet relations.

The stationing of troops by Vietnam in Kampuchea has actually turned Sino-Soviet relations into a hot spot.

However, if this obstacle in Sino-Soviet relations is removed, I shall be ready to break the rule and go to any place in the Soviet Union to meet with Gorbachev.

I believe a meeting like that will be of much significance to the improvement of Sino-Soviet relations and the normalization of relations between the two states.

Deng: Of the three major obstacles, the main one is Vietnamese aggression against Kampuchea, because although it is Vietnamese armed forces that are pitted against China, the hot spot, the confrontation is actually between China and the Soviet Union.

Wallace: Do you mean the Vietnamese troops in Kampuchea?

Wallace: President and Mrs. Reagan watch this programme just about every Sunday night.

And I'm sure they are going to be watching closely on the night of this broadcast.

I hope that during President Reagan's term of office relations between our two countries will make further progress.