Picture|Chen Yi
Foreword
In March 1958, after Chairman Mao ordered, Chen Yi became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Chen has always spoken very distinctively. He is both funny and humorous, and also very sharp. He speaks sharply to the nail on the head. Almost everyone familiar with said that listening to Mr. Chen's speech his broad vision, three-point perspective, open mind, unique seclusion, and unrepeatable language left a deep impression on him.
But when he took office, Mr. Chen was once worried that he could not do well.
"I, Chen Yi, sometimes speaks very destructively, and sometimes is very emotional. Whenever I speak, I blurt out, regardless of the severity. Within us, what harm is done to comrades can be explained to comrades; In terms of diplomacy, if you do this, it will be a mess."
"I am the foreign minister, there may be four results."
At the beginning of the founding of new China, the foreign minister was always concurrently served by Premier Zhou.
As the first foreign minister after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Premier Zhou created , a historic new diplomatic situation of independence and peace in New China, and ended a century of humiliating diplomatic history since modern times. also played an important role in promoting world peace. Contribution.
Zhou Enlai,With his unique personality charm, he has won the respect of the world and will be included in the history of mankind forever.
However, after the founding of New China, government affairs were complicated and Premier Zhou had to do everything personally, so Chairman Mao began to consider asking Premier Zhou to step down as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Thinking about it, Chairman Mao thought of Chen Yi, an old comrade-in-arms in the period of Jinggangshan .
Picture|In 1957, Chairman Mao and Chen Yi met foreign guests in the Palace of Qinzheng in Zhongnanhai
As a general on the battlefield, Chen Yi had never worked in foreign affairs before, and he was a little worried about finding Mao Yu. The chairman talked about his thoughts:
"Chairman, I am very emotional in doing things, so how can I do diplomacy? What can I do if I say the wrong thing by then?"
worked with this former co-worker For many years of old comrades-in-arms, Chairman Mao still believes in him very much.
"Fear on the spot is your characteristic, and you need this attitude when doing foreign affairs work. I think you are the most suitable."
Whether he can provoke this diplomatic burden, Chen Yi still thinks There is no bottom, he knows his character very well, and he has always had the shortcomings of being affectionate. For a foreign minister, this is a fatal "shortcoming".
In addition,Chen Yi’s psychological pressure is high, and there is a deeper reason. , that is, since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Premier Zhou, who is mainly responsible for foreign affairs, enjoys a high reputation in the world. He is worried that he is incapable of creating the result of the Premier’s painstaking efforts. The situation is very good.
After the Bandung Conference in 1955, the Party Central Committee decided to allow Chen Yi to participate in the party group meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation for taking over diplomatic work.
Chen Yi, who was supposed to have taken over the burden of diplomacy in 1956, was affected by altitude sickness during an investigation in Tibet. Soon after returning to Beijing, he fainted at a film reception hosted by the Indian ambassador to China. Work had to be postponed because of this.
Picture|Old photos of Chen Yi
In February 1958, Chen Yi formally took over the work of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Even so, Chen Yi is still very worried. He once said to his wife:
"I am serving as foreign minister this time. There may be four results: the first is to achieve results, the second is to generalize. The third is a serious mistake, and the fourth is a serious illness."
However, what Chen Yi did not expect was that there were no problems at work, but problems at home.
After Chen Yi served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was too busy to take a break due to his busy foreign affairs work. Zhang Qian persuaded Chen Yi many times to drink less and take more rest. Chen Yi always agreed.I forgot afterwards.
Once Premier Zhou invited Chen Yi and He Long to a banquet. As it was an old comrade-in-arms meeting, everyone at the table was very happy. Zhang Qian was very anxious watching from the side by pushing a cup on the wine table. After all, her husband already After 60 years of age, I don't know if my body can hold it.
To remind her husband, Zhang Qian quietly stepped on Chen Yi under the table to remind him to drink less.
I was enjoying drinking and drinking. Suddenly I was kicked by his wife. Chen Yi was very upset and yelled: "Oh, what are you kicking me for?" He shouted again:
"Usually you just care about me. Today is a drink with Premier Zhou. You still care about me. Don't step on my feet."
Rounding off the field:
"If you can’t drink, drink less. Don’t lose your temper with Zhang Qian and disrupt family harmony! Zhang Qian, you don’t have to worry about it today. I’ll take care of you outside, so don’t worry."
Once again, Chen Yi returned from a visit abroad, but his butt was still hot. After returning home, several delegations held a banquet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chen Yi hurried to attend. Before leaving, Zhang Qian was worried about her husband’s health, so he reminded him to come back early. Chen Yi fully agreed.
Picture|In 1954, Chen Yi and Zhang Qian were in Qingdao
. At the banquet, Chen Yi drank again, so he ignored Zhang Qian’s instructions.He didn't come back until two o'clock in the morning.
Zhang Qian has been waiting anxiously for her husband's return at home. Seeing that Chen Yi refused to listen to advice, she was very angry, so she locked her husband out of the door. No matter how Chen Yi knocked on the door, Zhang Qian would not open the door.
Mr. Chen was also on fire. After calling the secretary directly, he said with a drink of spirit: "Divorce, this time you will have to divorce anything you say."
"Even afterwards they met. I stopped talking, and the divorce turmoil became more and more troubled.
In order to mediate the conflicts between the husband and wife of the old comrades, Premier Zhou specially invited the two to the banquet and invited Luo Ruiqing and his wife to accompany him. During the dinner, Premier Zhou patiently persuaded Zhang Qian:
"Comrade Zhang Qian, I have to I would like to suggest to you that you are Mrs. Chen’s wife, and you should take care of him, but you must pay attention to the method and method. It is like flying a kite with the thread in your hands. You must not pull the rope loosely. Tight. If the rope is too tight and the rope breaks in the end, the kite will fly away."
After the patient persuasion of Premier Zhou, Chen Yi and Zhang Qian are back together.
Mr. Chen reviewed to Premier Zhou: "I am guilty, but I didn’t put a shot..."
Mr. Chen has been in charge of foreign affairs for many years. He has always been conscientious and has made great achievements, but occasionally he also commits. Confused".
In June 1965, Premier Zhou passed through Cairo,The original plan was to fly to the capital of Algeria Algiers to participate in the Asian-African Conference .
At this time, Premier Zhou received a telegram:
"A military coup took place in Algiers, Bumedin overthrew President Ben Bella, seized power, and established a provisional government."
2p _blockquote
2p _blockquote Since all the news is unclear, Premier Zhou reported to Chairman Mao through Deng Xiaoping in Cairo. After the Party Central Committee's research, Chairman Mao agreed to Premier Zhou's temporary stay in Cairo for a visit and inspection in order to observe the situation before making plans.
Figure | When Chen Yi was young (August 1928)
At that time, Mr. Chen, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, had already arrived at Daqian Station in Algiers first. Due to the sudden incident of the coup, whether or not the Asian-African conference originally planned to be convened should be held. At that time, the representatives of Asian and African countries did not have much confidence in their hearts. Out of respect and trust for China, they approached Mr. Chen, hoping to understand China's attitude.
Mr. Chen’s temperament, just like what he said, is very affectionate, and when his temper comes up, no one can persuade him. He saw the anxious and nervous emotions of the representatives of various countries, so he "fired" without controlling it:
"This Asian-African conference must be held, and it must be held well..."
Mr. Chen said such a sentence without hesitation. Later, because of disagreements and turbulence, the Asian-African Conference could not be held, and Premier Zhou also returned directly from Cairo.
Mr. Chen said this time, but he failed to fulfill his promise. This caused a very bad effect. Premier Zhou was very angry and paced again and again:
"
Mr. Chen also knew that he had made a mistake this time, and as soon as he returned to Beijing, he rushed to West Flower Hall and said to the staff:
Mr. Chen was very disturbed, and when he arrived at the door, he quietly asked the Premier Zhou guard: "What is the prime minister doing?"
"Waiting for you, I'm angry."
quietly asked the guard Chen Yi Feng, Chen Yi took a deep breath, stepped in the door, and reported to the Prime Minister in a unique military posture: "Prime Minister, I am here."
"You are unorganized and disciplined." Premier Zhou saw him coming over. , He immediately became angry, and saw him pacing back and forth, taking a few more steps, looking at Chen Yi with scorching eyes, and struggling to pat the table a few times: "This is not allowed."
Chen The boss bowed his head to review to the prime minister: "I am guilty, but I didn't put a shot at it..."Mr. Chen is very casual most of the time, unlike when he met Chairman Mao. After all, the two have known each other since the Nanchang Uprising. Old comrades-in-arms don’t need too much politeness, but this time Mr. Chen realized that he did commit a crime. Big mistake.
"It's over like this?" Premier Zhou's anger remained unsettled:
"You are the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. If you don't ask for instructions or report, you dare to set off guns there, and you have to pay it back like you did. Yes? Who gives you the power? This is a matter of international influence."
"I was wrong, I review to the Prime Minister."
"Not to me," Premier Zhou said loudly: But to review with Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee."
Seeing President Chen lowered his head to admit his mistake, Premier Zhou’s mood gradually recovered and he patiently told him:
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is different from others. Your party will bring international influence, and you must be cautious in your words and deeds. When I got off the plane in Cairo, I reported to Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee for instructions. When you were in Algiers, you dare not report without asking for instructions. Don’t even have this organizational discipline?"
Figure|Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao
Afterwards, someone asked Premier Zhou: "Prime Minister, did you approve span 8 too much?"
Premier Zhou sternly looked at the people present.Speaking earnestly: "They are all princes from all walks of life, here I do not severely criticize him, who would dare to criticize him when I return to his vassal country?"
After this incident, Mr. Chen was in diplomacy. At work, it becomes more and more handy.
"We are engaged in the atomic bomb, and the ultimate goal is to eliminate the atomic bomb."
In the autumn of 1965, the situation in Asia changed, and China is about to face severe tests. Chairman Mao believes that Chen Yi should be asked to come out to Chinese and foreign reporters. Talk about it.
At that time, Chen Yi was out of town. Hearing the chairman's order, he immediately set off back to Beijing and made sufficient preparations on the train.
On September 29, 1965, on the eve of National Day, Beijing also began to dress up to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At that time, many international friends and journalists from various countries gathered in Beijing. After Mr. Chen returned to Beijing, he immediately set about The Great Hall of the People held a Chinese and foreign press conference.
At two o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Chen Yi, accompanied by the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others, boarded the podium and accepted questions from reporters.
After Chen Yi's simple opening remarks passed, he said humorously:
"Reporters from all over the world should be vigilant! You come to China, there is a risk of brainwashing. "
There was a burst of laughter at the reception. The term "brainwashing" is usually seen in many Western media newspapers.Most of them were unkind. Mr. Chen used it humorously, and his wisdom won the admiration of all the reporters present.
Picture|The then Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Yi met with Myanmar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs U Dihan
At the huge venue that day, three or four hundred journalists blocked the surroundings, and everyone was confused. Tongue raised a lot of questions, including various international situations and foreign relations. Mr. Chen was composed and answered one by one.
Also at the press conference, many reporters mentioned the "nuclear issue."
A Japanese reporter stood up and asked: "China has exploded two atomic bombs. When will the third atomic bomb explode."
Mr. Chen humorously answered:
"China exploded two times" An atomic bomb, I know, and you know. The third atomic bomb may also explode. Please wait and see the communiqué when it will explode."
"China does not decide its foreign policy based on whether there is an atomic bomb or not. " Mr. Chen said:
"We reiterate that countries large and small come together to agree to destroy the atomic bomb and prohibit the use, manufacture, storage, and testing of nuclear weapons. China makes atomic bombs to eliminate atomic bombs, yes. For self-defense, China promises not to use the atomic bomb first at any time." This is undoubtedly a policy statement of our party and country on the issue of nuclear weapons.
Picture|January 1961,Zhang Qian accompanied Chen Yi to visit Myanmar
Another reporter stood up and asked: "According to some nuclear experts, there are currently atomic bombs in the world that are enough to destroy the earth several times. What is your opinion on this?
"It’s not just nuclear experts who say that. Someone (referring to Khrushchev) uses this thing to scare people. The atomic bomb is powerful, but Chairman Mao has a famous saying: The atomic bomb is a paper tiger. This is Defeating it strategically, the atomic bomb is nothing great. The anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggle in Asia, Africa and Latin America is the best "atom bomb"."
"What is the goal of China's nuclear program?" The reporter stood up and asked.
Mr. Chen calmly replied:
"Well, this atomic bomb can neither be eaten nor worn. What's the use of doing so! China only does a little bit. We are very poor, and different people engage in competitions." As for the "target", we are engaged in the atomic bomb, ultimately to eliminate the atomic bomb."
Before the end of this press conference, a reporter asked China about international disputes, especially the threat of Chinese war. , Chen Yi delivered a long speech impromptu, boldly showing that the Chinese people are not afraid of threats.
"If the imperialists are determined to impose war on us, they are welcome to come early, and they are welcome to come tomorrow."
"We are waiting for US imperialism to come in.Have been waiting for sixteen years! My hair is all white! Maybe I don't have the "lucky" to see US imperialism enter China, but my son will see it. They will fight it resolutely! "
"Please don't reporters think that I, Chen, is a militant and that the US imperialism is extremely vicious and deceived too much!"
"Good is rewarded for good, evil is rewarded for evil, not not reported, the time has not come, when the time comes, everything will be reimbursed!
Picture|July 16, 1962, Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi attended the Geneva conference on Laos issues in the rain
Chairman Mao listened to the recording of Mr. Chen's answer to the reporter's question in Zhongnanhai and heard Mr. Chen When I said the last sentence, everyone said with admiration:
"Good job! Mr. Chen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is a real Minister of Foreign Affairs; foreigners also know this now. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs is not very easy to mess with!
The next day, Chairman Mao met with the Indonesian delegation and once again praised Mr. Chen:
"We have a foreign minister who is not very easy to mess with... he is a great marshal in our army!" "
"If you don't hold back, you can't become a talent."
Mr. Chen has a straight-forward temperament, and he has no arrogance.
The former president of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ke Hua 9span, recalled: The ministry took office without even a secretary, and came all alone.
This incident left a very deep impact on Ke Hua, but whenever some cadres are transferred, they always have to bring some familiar old men with them, but Mr. Chen does not have these rules, and he never appoints cadres. He is close to each other, so after working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the staff around him respected him very much.
Li Jingxian mentioned some short stories about Mr. Chen when he was working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an article published in the " Ta Kung Pao " in Hong Kong.
Picture|Chen Yi and Kenzo Matsumura
In the autumn of 1964, Mr. Chen suddenly came to the Translation Office of the Education Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inspect. During his busy schedule, Mr. Chen took the time to visit and follow His translators.
"Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, your high fans follow me almost every day. It is my other indispensable "mouth". Without this "mouth", I would be a foreigner I became a "dumb" in front of me. Therefore, no matter how busy I am, I have to come to see everyone, say "Thanks" and say "Thank you"."
Mr. Chen went to the translation office this time, in addition to visiting and condolences to follow him For many years of translators, another important task is to ask them to give him more suggestions.
For these translators, they have long been accustomed to Mr. Chen's speech "eclectic", clear-cut, eclectic, vivid and natural. Of course, if people who understand Chinese sound natural, there is no problem, but sometimes, they suffer from translators.
Once, the Mongolian ambassador to China held a reception for the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.President Chen was invited to attend as the main guest. The translation office dispatched four foreign language translators from English, French, Spanish and Arabic to follow, and they would come forward to act as translators when needed.
Picture|The return of Premier Zhou and Chen Yi from visiting Asian and African countries on July 2, 1965
Before leaving, Mr. Chen explained to them, and he stopped reading the speech prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Feel free to say a few words as appropriate. After the Mongolian charge d’affaires finished speaking, Mr. Chen couldn't close the chattering box as soon as he came on stage. Especially for the complicated international situation at the time, Mr. Chen's words were like a line of guns. What? The viper is so fierce and the evil dog is so big that it can kill people with just a few bites..."
This vivid metaphor seems to us no problem, but it is not easy to translate it into Mongolian for people to understand. .
The person in charge of Mongolian translation at the time was a Mongolian youth from the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Originally, this youth was very good in Mongolian and Chinese, and the translation did not make any mistakes. But when it was Mr. Chen’s turn to speak, he was so nonchalant. As soon as the one-pattern style was opened, the Mongolian youth suddenly became a little bit overwhelmed.
At first, the translation could barely keep up. Later, as the problem gradually became "concretized", the Mongolian youth began to sweat, and his speech began to become unfavorable. He lost everything, and even experienced long-term problems. Stupefied state.
Picture|In 1971, Chen Yi and his wife Zhang Qian were in Beijing
Mr. Chen shook his head again and again, and yelled: "A large Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have a better Mongolian translation?
"Yes, yes."
Another Mongolian translator shouted again and again, and he was about to go up between the talks, but when Mr. Chen waved his hand at him, he shook his head and said:
You’re a big driver! Let him continue to tell me. The old saying goes:'You can't become a talent if you don't hold back.'Young people, you have to hold him back. Just hold it ten times eight times. What makes him comfortable, he won't be a talent for a lifetime! "
Mr. Chen is such a man of true temperament. He occasionally criticizes harshly, but it does not make people too ugly. Sometimes he warns everyone with his mistakes. This kind of self-criticism is indeed commendable.
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