Cryptogram No. 1801/II/1254 from Beijing

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

After use the cryptogram must be destroyed

in accordance with the rules for the use of

classified documents.

{“SECRET” stamp}

CRYPTOGRAM No 1801/II{/1254}

From: Beijing 04.05.1988

(-) Cekiera

{T. Klockowski ?}

{T. Góralczyk}

{AU ?}

{88.05.05}

{illegible signature}

Com.[rade] Stawiarski

Cde Dembowski writes in a telegram no. 197 on 3 May:

Between 18 April and 3 May this year a delegation of the DP PPR stayed in China as provided for in the agreement to increase contacts with the DP PRC. The delegation was received by vice-director of the Department of Propaganda of the Central Committee, Zeng Jianhui.

He presented the role of the propaganda and information apparatus in stimulation of economic and political reforms – in particular by rejecting dogmas, breaking the mould and influencing the socialist democracy. He noted that the main directions of the mass media reform comprise of: providing a greater amount of more open information, taking part in social consultations and dialogue, relevant criticism and social control. The interlocutor remarked that China does not intend to follow the West in its informational liberalization, nor will it reintroduce the so-called great freedom of the “cultural revolution”. The media must always take into account the wider social interest, including “stability and unity”, [and] the leading position of the party. He admitted that Western radio propaganda, especially the Voice of America, reaches deeper and deeper into the Chinese society and requires counteraction, i.e. rapid reaction with own information, [and] polemics.

The delegation was also received by members of the leadership of cities and provinces. Part of the route coincided with the route of the planned trip of Cde Messner (Nanking, Xiamen).

During the talks the hosts emphasized convergence of the reforms in Poland and the PRC. They also mentioned certain international issues (e.g. about further cooperation with KS EW^[1] and USSR, they were interested in Comecon and current activities of the MOD^[2]). They expressed eagerness for wider cooperation with DP PPR.

We informed the delegation that according to us Polish journalists publish a lot more after visits to the PRC than Chinese journalists after their visits in Poland. To call our hosts’ attention to this discrepancy we also suggested to include this issue in the talks between the associations.

Carbon copies to:

Cde Czyrek

Cde Główczyk

Cde Orzechowski

Cde Kucza

Cde Tabkowski

Cde Górnicki

Cde Sarewicz

Cde Majewski

Cde Staniszewski

Cde Stawiarski^[3]

Cde Rapacki

1801/II/2

^[1] Unclear but could stand for “Kraje Socjalistyczne Europy Wschodniej”, or the Socialist Countries of Eastern Europe.

^[2] Unclear; I would guess that’s a mistyped version of “MOP”, a Polish acronym for the International Labour Organization.

^[3] Name underlined with a red pen.