PEKING: President Z.A. Bhutto, who arrived here to a ... rousing welcome at 2 p.m. today [ Jan 31], began his talks with a high-powered Chinese delegation led by Premier Chou En-lai... . In his speech of welcome at the reception at the Great Hall of People, Premier Chou pledged China’s strong unwavering support to the people and Government of Pakistan in their bid to safeguard their national independence and overcome the ... crisis caused by ... military occupation of a part of the country. … The fall of Dacca, he said, was not the end of the matter; it was the beginning of a series of new contradictions and explosions.

The Premier noted that the Muslim countries had without exception lent support to Pakistan. This was unprecedented since total unanimity was lacking even in the case of Israel. … The Chinese Premier ... announced a moratorium on the repayment of Pakistan’s debt to China for 10 years, to be extended if necessary by another 10 years. Then he smilingly, added that Pakistan could go on postponing the payment of the interest-free loan until the dawn of the 21st century.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2022