Monday, January 01, 2018

Nkrumah Receives Chinese Premier
THE VISIT OF CHOU EN-LAI
STATE DINNER IN HONOUR OF THE PREMIER OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
January 13, 1964

I am happy to welcome you Premier Chou En-Lai and your party to our country, and I do so on behalf of the people of Ghana. I am glad that it has been possible for you to accept our invitation to visit pus.

I still retain the most vivid recollections of my extremely interesting and enjoyable visit to your great country in 1961. Although your visit would be brief you can be assured that during your stay here, you will enjoy our traditional Ghanaian hospitality and experience the warm friendship which all Ghanaians have for all the Chinese people.

Here in Ghana, we admire the great strides made by the People’s Republic of China, since the Revolution, under the dynamic leadership of Chairman Mao Tse Tung, Poet, Philosopher, Soldier, and Statesman. You yourself Premier Chou En-Lai have been a foremost stalwart nationalist and freedom fighter in the struggle for the improvement of living conditions of your people.

During your visit, you will see something of the efforts we are making to reconstruct Ghana, after years of colonial rule and despoliation. And here, I would like to express the sincere gratitude of the Government and people of Ghana for the assistance which we have received from the Government of the People’s Republic of China in helping us in our industrial and agricultural development.

We believe that in countries impoverished by colonial exploitation, the surest road to the welfare and happiness of all the people lies in socialism. We believe that the condition of the welfare of each should be the condition for the welfare and development of all.

Premier Chou-En-Lai, we are particularly happy to see you in our midst at a time when our nation is on the verge of taking a decisive step forward in its determination to build and sustain a socialist society. l

This, your first visit to Africa, is an occasion of great significance. You have come as a distinguished representative of a dynamic and energetic people — nearly 650 million people who have been welded together into a strong nation, united and progressive. Surely, this example should inspire us in Africa and leave no doubt in our minds that a continental union Government of Africa is not only possible, but a reality. We are unalterably convinced that only a continental Government of Africa can put an end to Africa’s want and misery. A united Africa will be a strong link in the chain of Afro-Asian, anti-imperialist solidarity. We shall speak with one voice and fight together to make the world safe for mankind.

Premier Chou En-Lai, in this connection, I must express our feeling of regret and disappointment in that, your great country remains outside the United Nations Organisation. The Government of Ghana shall continue to support the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Chinese people in the United Nations.

Please, take note that our struggle against colonialism and imperialism is part of the struggle for world peace. For there can be no lasting peace until imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism are wiped out completely from the face of the earth. And we too take note that in this struggle, China can make a great contribution towards that peace which alone can sustain our civilisation. It is owing to our unshakable belief in the necessity for world peace that we adhere so steadfastly to the five principles of co-existence established in Bandung, namely, respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and co-existence.

If only the imperialists and neo-colonialists would accept and abide by these principles, I am sure that world peace would be established and preserved for all time. We would then really live in a world without war.

Esteemed Premier Chou-En-Lai, let me once again extend to you and your party a very warm welcome to Ghana. I hope that you will find your stay enjoyable and pleasant.

And now Your Excellencies, Dear Friends, I ask you to rise with me and drink a toast- a toast to the leaders and people of China, to Chairman Mao Tse Tung and also to you Premier Chou En-Lai.for the part you played in your country’s revolution.

Long Live Sino-Ghana friendship!
Long Live African Unity!
Long Live Peace and Friendship among the nations.

JOINT GHANA-CHINA COMMUNIQUE

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Chou En-Lai, paid a friendly return visit to Ghana from January 11 to 16, 1964. Premier Chou En-Lai was accompanied by Marshal Chen K Vice-Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with other officials of the People’s Republic of China.

During his stay in Ghana, Premier Chou En-Lai and his entourage made a tour of interesting places in Accra, including Tema Harbour and the industrial centres in the vicinity. The distinguished guests were cordially received everywhere and had an opportunity to learn personally the feelings of warm friendship which the Ghanaian people have for the Chinese people and their representatives. The Premier was impressed by developments in Ghana and expressed great appreciation under the leadership of President Nkrumah, in safeguarding national independence and developing the national economy. Premier Chou En-Lai admired the role of Ghana and its leader in the vanguard of the National Liberation Movement in Africa, in promoting African solidarity and in defending world peace.

In the course of the visit, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China had meetings and conversations with Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, President of the Republic of Ghana. Taking part in these talks on the Ghanaian side were Kojo Botsio, Minister of Foreign Affairs, E. K. Bensah, Minister of Communications and Works and Chief of State Protocol, S. A. Dzirasa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, E. K. Okoh, Secretary to the Cabinet, M. F. Dei-Anang, Ambassador (Special Duties), F. S. Arkhurst, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, K. B. Asante, Principal Secretary, African Affairs Secretariat, Joe Fio Meyer, Ghana Ambassador-designate to the People’s Republic of China, W. Y. Eduful, Director, Publicity Secretariat, J. B. Wilmot, Acting Director, Eastern Department; Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the Chinese side were Marshal Chen Yi, Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kung Yuan, Deputy Director of Office in charge of Foreign Affairs, State Council, Huang Chen, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tung Hsiao-Peng, Chief of the Secretariat of Premier of the State Council, Chiao Kuan-Hua, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Huang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Wang Yu-Tien, Director of the West Asian and African Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The conversations between the leaders of the Republic of Ghana and the People’s Republic of China were held in an atmosphere of cordial friendship and complete mutual understanding and were characterised by the reciprocal desire to discuss frankly the major international problems as well as questions pertaining to Sino-Ghanaian relations.

The exchanges of opinion revealed a community of views on such problems as imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, general disarmament, the complete prohibition of nuclear weapons, the settlement of international issues through peaceful negotiations and the strengthening of Afro-Asian peoples’ solidarity against imperialism.

The two parties noted that the greatest danger facing mankind at this time emanated from imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism. Both parties were of the opinion that there could be no lasting world peace, unless a resolute struggle was waged against the imperialist policies of aggression and war.  Accordingly, both parties pledged their full support for the anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist struggle in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Both parties agreed that all anti-colonialist movements in the world should close their ranks and wage a united struggle against the forces of imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism. It was considered that the convening of an Afro-Asian/Latin American/People’s Anti-imperialism Conference was desirable, and that the possibilities for such a conference should be explored. It was also considered that an Afro-Asian Conference was necessary and that active preparations should be made to convene it. Both parties were greatly encouraged by the significant - progress which had already been achieved in the anti-colonialist struggle. In Africa a large number of countries had already gained their independence and there were bright prospects of still others coming to swell the number. There were, nevertheless, a number of areas on the African continent where the forces of colonialism showed very little sign of yielding. Both parties expressed firm support for the peoples of Angola, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, French Somaliland, Gambia, Mozambique, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Portuguese Guinea, Southern Rhodesia, South West Africa and Swaziland, who are valiantly fighting for independence and freedom. Both parties were convinced of final victory for these peoples in their struggles.

The two parties condemned the colonial rule of the South African authorities and their policy of racial discrimination and, in common with progressive mankind, supported the struggle of the South African peoples for equal rights and national liberation. Both parties called on all countries to terminate any existing relations, particularly economic relations, with the gruesome regime of South Africa.

The two parties reviewed the situation in the Congo and agreed that everything should be done for the U.N. forces to be withdrawn from the Congo. After the withdrawal of the U.N. forces from the Congo, the African countries needed to heighten their vigilance against neo-colonialist intrigues in that country.

Premier Chou En-Lai solemnly indicated that in handling its relations with the African countries, China has consistently and unswervingly taken the following stand in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and the Ten Principles of the Bandung Conference:
1. It supports the African peoples in their struggle to fight imperialism and old and new colonialism and to win and safeguard national independence.
2. It supports the governments of African countries in pursuing a policy of peace, neutrality and non-alignment.
3. It supports the African peoples in their desire to bring about solidarity and unity in the manner of their own choice.
4. It supports the African countries in their efforts to settle their disputes through peaceful consultation.
5. It holds that the sovereignty of African countries should be respected by all other countries and that encroachment and interference from any quarters should be opposed.

The two parties also discussed at length, the efforts of the African peoples to establish African unity. These efforts had recently culminated in the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity at the Summit Conference of African States in Addis Ababa. The Chinese side expressed its support for the efforts of the African countries and peoples to promote African unity and solidarity aimed at defending their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. This was essential in eradicating all forms of colonialism from Africa; ensuring the economic and cultural development of the African peoples and achieving for them a better life. The Chinese party appreciated the Ghanaian leader’s active efforts to achieve liberation and unity in Africa. The Ghanaian party expressed its appreciation of the sincere sympathy which the People’s Republic of China had always maintained for the African people in their struggle towards liberation and unity.

On disarmament, the two parties considered that genuine general disarmament and the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons was the goal for which all peace loving nations and peoples of the world should strive. They were ready to make unremitting effort to this end in concert with all other peace-loving nations and peoples. The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for the resolution of the Summit Conference of African States on general disarmament and the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Africa. The two parties considered that a World Conference of Heads of Governments would be beneficial, if it could be convened for the purpose of signing an international convention prohibiting the development and use of all nuclear weapons and the complete destruction of existing nuclear weapons and their stockpiles.

The two parties discussed at length the state of the Sino-Indian border dispute since the Colombo Conference of Six Non-aligned States. They noted that the Sino-Indian border situation had relaxed, and they expressed full confidence and hope over the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the Sino-Indian boundary question. The Chinese side appreciated the peaceful efforts made by Ghana and other Colombo powers. Two parties expressed their determination to continue to support such peaceful efforts aimed at bringing about direct Sino-Indian negotiations.

Both parties declared that the foundation of good relations among all nation: should be the observance of basic principles of international life, namely, mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, equality and mutual benefit and the solution of all international issues by negotiation. Both parties also agreed that Afro-Asian countries should settle all their disputes in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and the Ten Principles of the Bandung Conference.

The Ghanaian side re-affirmed its support for the restoration of Chin legitimate rights and position in the United Nations as an indispensable requisite for the proper functioning of that Organisation, and objected to any attempts being made to create "Two Chinas."

The Chinese party, on their side, reiterated their support for increased Asian representation on United Nations bodies and agencies to reflect growing influence of the Afro-Asian countries in international affairs, and affirmed that this question of increased Afro-Asian representation should not be linked in any way with the question of the restoration of Chinese rights in the United Nations.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction that significant achievements had been made in the promotion of mutual friendly relations between their two countries. Contributory to this achievement was the satisfactory implementation of the various agreements Treaty of Friendship, Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, Trade and Payments Agreement and Agreement on Cultural Cooperation which were signed between the two countries during the Ghanaian leader’s visit to China in 1961.

Both parties pledged their determination to strengthen further, the existing bonds of friendship and mutual understanding as their joint contribution to the establishment of even greater trust among states and to the evolution of international peaceful cooperation.

Both parties were convinced that the visit of Premier Chou En-Lai to Ghana had conduced to the strengthening of the friendship between the Chinese and Ghanaian peoples and to the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, as well as to the promotion of Asian-African solidarity and the defence of world peace.

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