China's reply to Brezhnev sits well with the Kremlin
March 31, 1982
Moscow
The Communist Party daily, Pravda, indicated Moscow is satisfied with China's response to an appeal by Soviet President Brezhnev for better relations between the two countries. The newspaper published Peking's official reaction to the appeal along with reports of praise and support for the Soviet leader's remarks from around the world.
Peking reacted coolly to the Soviet move, and a government spokesman said China attached importance only to ''the actual deeds'' of the Soviet Union. Western diplomats said the fact that Pravda recorded the reply suggested Moscow had expected a rebuttal and was pleased with what it called a cautious and flexible response.