A Few Quotations from Premier Chou

From midnight until 3 a.m. one day last week, China's seemingly tireless Premier Chou En-lai talked with a group of visiting American scholars in Peking's Great Hall of the People. China-born Journalist John McCook Roots reported to TIME on the session --probably the last such meeting before Richard Nixon arrives on Feb. 21. Some of Chou's comments:

THE WAR. If the American Government continues to back President Nixon's eight points [which the Viet Cong rejected in Paris last week], then it will not be possible to end the war, particularly in Viet Nam. Then the popular movement against American aggression will and should continue.

THE POWER STRUCTURE OF THE WORLD.

Your President has noted five power centers [the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and the European Common Market]. We do not entirely agree. From the viewpoint of economic development there is such a trend, but from the viewpoint of the world's movements of popular liberation--which hold the key to the future--all nations regardless of size and all races regardless of color should be equal. Governments find it difficult to agree. For the people, it is easier to achieve a common outlook. We look to the people.

THE RUSSIANS. When we stated at the United Nations that we are not a superpower and would never attempt to be one, one superpower [the Soviet Union] laughed and said China could not exist without a nuclear umbrella. As our Chinese proverb has it, that fellow "does not know how high the sky is or how deep the earth."

THE AMERICANS. From our past experience, we in China place immense hopes on the American people. They are a very great people with many different beliefs and races but, we believe, a common aspiration. Their potential and prospects are boundless.

RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. Twenty or 30 years ago, many American friends visited us [the Chinese Communists] and exchanged views in a free way. Now that we have gained state power it may be thought that our views have become rigid. This is not the case. We will persist only in the correct things. Where we can improve, we will listen.

HENRY KISSINGER. How is it possible to have another Metternich appear in this present day? This man has his characteristics. He is a man with whom we can argue.

RICHARD NIXON. Your President has said neither too much nor too little. Who knows but he may alter his views? He may change them. He may not. It does not matter. All of us should make efforts.

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