§ 25. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of China, Mr. Chou En-lai, to this country to discuss international problems, including the problems of Formosa; and whether he will offer to visit China for this purpose.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Chinese Government failed to take advantage of an excellent opportunity of making their views known when they rejected, it seemed rather scornfully, the invitation to attend the proceedings at the Security Council.
In the prevailing circumstances, I doubt if the visits suggested would be fruitful or even helpful.
§ Mr. LewisMr. Chou En-lai and the Chinese People's Government have already stated that one of the reasons why they resent this is that they have not their rightful place in the Security Council. As the Foreign Secretary got on so well with Mr. Chou En-lai at Geneva, does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that perhaps personal contact on this issue and on the question of the Chinese People's Government being represented on the Security Council might bear fruit?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I thought my answer rather implied that interpretation.
§ Mr. G. ThomasDoes not the Prime Minister realise that it is nonsense to expect the Chinese People's Government to come to a conference with Chiang Kai-shek present, and when will the right hon. Gentleman realise that peace is bigger than the pride of Chiang Kai-shek?