MOSCOW: After two months of negotiations in Moscow, the Soviet Union and the Central People’s Government of China today [Feb 14] signed a 30-year treaty linking more than a quarter of the world’s population in friendship and amity. The Treaty which was signed by Soviet and Chinese Foreign Ministers, M Vyshinsky and Chou En-lai, on behalf of their Governments abrogates the Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1945, confirms full sovereignty of Outer Mongolia, gives China a long term credit, the Manchurian Railway and Port Arthur.

Under the Treaty the Soviet Union also gives up her interests in the port of Dairen and will hand over to China property acquired from Japanese owners in Manchuria. Moscow Radio added that both nations agreed “to prevent the resurgence of Imperialism and aggression of Japan or of any other Power”.

[Meanwhile, as reported by a staff correspondent in Karachi,] the Government of Pakistan have purchased 5,00,000 tons of coal from Poland, France and the United Kingdom, it was learnt … on Wednesday [Feb 15]. … Out of this 60,000 tons of coal will be shipped to East Pakistan and 80,000 tons to West Pakistan at regular intervals… .

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2025