FONG DING teaches English at a Peking school. At the end of last month he spoke about the China-Vietnam conflict to Claudie and Jacques Broyelle while on a visit to Europe. The interview is taken from the French magazine L'Express.
What have been the reactions to conflict?
Disapproval and approval together with many shades of opinion in between - are all to be found in the same current which gives 'critical support to Deng Xiaoping and the present "liberalisation' Those who are against the war fear setbacks diplomatic and commercial level. Especially after cultural revolution, say 'opponents', China present a humane, reasonable, pragmatic image.
Those who support it think that the war will only have On both sides, however, there is condemnation of the huge error made in supporting the Kampuchea of Pol Pot.
The support for Pol Pot and the Red Khmers is condemned? seen grotesque. China enough of Maoism, and yet here it was supporting the only country in the based itself on Maoism at its worst. most This was so much so that the the visit of Chou En-lai's widow to Phnom Penh really tarnished her image, which up till then had been excellent. The mistake even rebounded husband, one of the few leaders whose memory is respected.
What arguments are used by those who support expedition against Vietnam? the They could have put up with the the conquest of Kampuchea, the the ingratitude of the Vietnamese must and their arrogance, but they say that the aggressiveness of the Vietnamese, the treatment they inflicted on their citizens of Chinese origin, much to be tolerated. ridiculous, The responsibilities in this has had war are argely shared. Given the impasse we're all caught in in Kampuchea, we think that world which there's only one solution left — to appeal to Sihanouk.
You are prepared for a prolonged war against Vietnam?
Those in favour of the war foresee on between one and three months Then, on't they tell that down, but they there's not much risk of that and we'll eventually end up as the the victors. The others, in contrast, think that after a week of fighting the was too prospect victors nor vanquished.
intervention Union.
But which conflict lasting think war has already gone on too long. They are haunted by the prolonged conflict which will see neither Neither side seriously envisages the possibility of an armed the Soviet are the HOTe numerous - the supporters or opponents of the conflict? In my opinion it's the latter, the opponents. It was the opposite at the beginning, but unease has been gaining ground. ORLD ISIS For a united front of all the