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The Palace of the Republic (Palast der Republik) in Berlin

East Germany

Documents related to the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany.

The Palace of the Republic (Palast der Republik) in Berlin

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Popular Documents

July 18, 1973

Notice for Comrade Fischer, 'Document for a Conversation with the Ambassador of the PR China'

Documents related to East Germany's protest against the intended establishment of a Chinese trade representation in West Berlin. The East German Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that West Berlin cannot be regarded as part of West Germany. Therefore, by initiating diplomatic relations with West Berlin without considering the existence of the internationally acknowledged Four Power Agreement on Berlin between the US, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, China is deliberately acting against the interests of East Germany.

July 18, 1973

Letter, Oskar Fischer to Cde. Hermann Axen, 'Text of a Statement to be Presented Verbally to the Council of the Embassy of the PR China to the GDR'

Documents related to East Germany's protest against the intended establishment of a Chinese trade representation in West Berlin. The East German Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that West Berlin cannot be regarded as part of West Germany. Therefore, by initiating diplomatic relations with West Berlin without considering the existence of the internationally acknowledged Four Power Agreement on Berlin between the US, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, China is deliberately acting against the interests of East Germany.

June 11, 1971

GDR Embassy in Bucharest, 'Assessment regarding the Visit by the Party and Government Delegation of the RSR under the Leadership of Gen. Ceauşescu to the PR China from June 1 to June 9, 1971'

This document examines the visit of the general secretary of the Romanian Communist Party, Nicolae Ceauşescu, to China. This visit is seen by East Germany as evidence of anti-Soviet sentiments. The Romanian endorsement of Chinese politics is strongly criticized, as it is seen to strengthen China's position and to weaken the cohesion of the Warsaw Pact. Ceauşescu's visit to China is said to have met with a positive response in the US.

October 26, 1972

Draft of a Planned East German Demarche, to be Read to the Chinese Ambassador, Against Chinese Statements on the Occasion of the Establishment of Chinese-West German Diplomatic Relations and Walter Scheel's Visit

This document is a demarche to be delivered to the Chinese ambassador in East Berlin on the occasion of China's establishment of diplomatic relations between West Germany and the People's Republic of China (PRC). The demarche says the West German government is pursuing a revisionist policy and does not accept the post-war separation of Germany. It assesses the role of Bonn in international relations as detrimental to the entire Socialist camp and regards the visit of West German Foreign Minister Walter Scheel to Beijing, as well as diplomatic relations between China and West Germany, as damaging the interests of East Germany. The author asks China to reconsider this policy, with reference to East Berlin's support for the PRC's territorial claims to Taiwan/Formosa.

According to a marginal note, the demarche was never delivered.

March 10, 1980

Evaluation of Chinese Policies toward Eastern Europe by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

This document addresses China's alleged bid to undermine the unity of the Socialist countries while maintaining special relations with Romania, Yugoslavia, and North Korea. Chinese foreign policy is seen as interfering in the domestic affairs of the Socialist states. By maintaining contacts with Western countries and by encouraging further armament of NATO, China is undermining the position of the Warsaw Pact. The Soviet evaluation assesses China as an unreliable partner in international relations and advises that all contacts of the Chinese government with foreign organizations or authorities be closely monitored.