SINO-SOVIET STATE RELATIONS ON EVE OF VANCE TRIP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00603A002900040018-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2002
• Sequence Number: 18
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For- RIeas
25X1A
02900040018-1 .25X1,
SINO-SOVIET STATE RELATIONS ON EVE OF VANCE TRIP
Moscow embassy reports that Soviet foreign ministry
officials have seen no noticeable changes in Chinese policy
toward the Soviet Union. The Soviets continue to express
pessimism about any marked improvement., in Sing-Soviet
relations and they,reportedly believe that instability in
the Chinese leadership will continue,:ruling out the
possibility of significant shifts in Chinese foreign
policy toward either the US or the USSR.' Consistent with
Soviet pessimism, there have been unconfirmed reports of a
Sino-Soviet border incident in July in which one Soviet
was killed. Moreover, Sino-Soviet border-talks continue
but remain deadlocked.
In contrast,"Moscow embassy also reports that, in
probable anticipation of cretary Vance's trip to Peking,
a high-ranking ~ Chinese officia .told visiting -1'''former
Australian--NI and a Japanese business deleg`~.tio'n that
there will be improvements in Sino-Soviet state relations.
While these. Chinese hints may be mere straws in the wind,
they may also be attempts to influence the US to be more
forthcoming in i
P rEpnrS4 b y p
Sources:
s relations with China.
1. Moscow 12132, 20 August 1977, Confidential
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