PEKING: The Chinese Government and the people have reaffirmed their support for the struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for attaining their right to self-determination. The reaffirmation of the Chinese stand was contained in a joint communique issued at the end of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visit to the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese Premier Hua Kuo-feng, the communique says, reiterated that the Chinese Government and people will, as always, firmly support the Pakistan people in safeguarding national independence, State sovereignty and territorial integrity. The communique says that the two sides emphasised that relations among all countries in South Asia must reflect the principles of sovereign equality of States... . — News agencies

[Meanwhile, according to news agencies from Peking,] Chairman Mao Tsetung, though frail because of old age, is in good health. This was stated here today [May 30] by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at a Press Conference. Mr Bhutto paid a courtesy call on the Chairman which lasted for 20 minutes. He was asked by a correspondent about the state of health of Chairman Mao “as there were a lot of rumours”.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2026