Top Secret Memorandum to Comrade Joseph V. Stalin from Andrey Vyshinsky

Vyshinsky informs Stalin of Zhou Enlai's suggested amendments to Sino-Soviet agreements and mutual aid.

In a message to Stalin, Vyshinsky describes Soviet negotiations with Zhou Enlai on the Sino-Soviet agreement on alliance and mutual aid.

Following their meeting on 10 February, Soviet Ambassador to China Roshchin reports to Vyshinsky with a list of outstanding questions that Zhou Enlai intends to discuss the next day. These matters include determining how many Soviet technical specialists will be sent to China; settling on the specialists' pay during their time abroad; arranging for a signing ceremony; and other related issues. The letter also references Mao Zedong's scheduled visit to the Soviet Union from 13-16 February, during which he and his delegation intend to visit a collective farm and attend a ballet at the Bolshoi Theater.

Vyshinsky reports to Stalin that Zhou Enlai wishes to publish the completed Sino-Soviet agreements. Doing so, Zhou believes, will legitimate the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China in the eyes of the world, particularly the democratic countries. However, because an agreement on publication had not previously been made, Vyshinsky tells Zhou that this is not yet possible. Vyshinsky informs Zhou that he will consult the Soviet government on this matter and report back without delay.

Vyshinsky reports to Stalin on his talks with Zhou Enlai held the previous day. Discussion focused on a number of affairs, including minor Chinese amendments to Molotov's draft of the Sino-Soviet agreement; the prospect of negotiating a bilateral agreement on trade and technical exchange; outstanding issues regarding Soviet specialists in China; settling a date on which to sign the agreement; and other matters.

Roshchin, Soviet Ambassador to China, reports on his conversation with Zhou Enlai regarding the territory of Xinjiang; plans to draft an agreement on the transfer of Manchuria from the Soviet Union to the People's Republic of China; and settling the issue of payment for Soviet specialists in China. Zhou Enlai has also asked Roshchin to inform his Soviet counterparts that 14 February would be the most convenient date to sign the Sino-Soviet agreements, as that will allow the media sufficient time to report on the treaty prior to the Chinese new year celebrations beginning on 16 February.

Vyshinsky reports to Stalin that Zhou Enlai, having considered the proposed draft of the Sino-Soviet trade agreement, has no objections. However, there remain some discrepancies between the Soviet and Chinese drafts. Vyshinsky describes these inconsistencies in detail and recounts his subsequent negotiations with Zhou.