PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: ETHIOPIA'S HAILE SELASSIE GIVEN TUMULTOUS WELCOME IN PEKING

Record ID: 622592

  • Title: PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: ETHIOPIA'S HAILE SELASSIE GIVEN TUMULTOUS WELCOME IN PEKING
  • Date: 9th October 1971
  • Summary: 1. GV Emperor down steps of aircraft 0.05 2. GV Children playing musical instruments in welcome 0.08 3. GV Chou En-lai greets Emperor 0.14 4. SV Dancers 0.18 5. SV Emperor greets officials 0.24 6. LV PAN Parade 0.29 7. SV Emperor & Chou En-lai greet crowd (2 shots) 0.37 8. GV Travelling shot, past girls in local costume 0.54 9. LV Haven square 0.58 10. GV Congress house with Mao portrait 1.09 11. GV Lenin & Stalin portraits 1.12 12. GV Emperor & Chou En-lai with others enter hall & greet officials (4 shots) 1.44 13. SV PAN Emperor TO Chou En-lai 1.49 14. GV & SV Banquet 2.02 Initials SGM/0221 SGM/0211 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th October 1971 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peking, People's Republic of China
  • Country: China
  • Reuters ID: LVA3SG0BPIHJ5AI8KPZUUZN9IOJA
  • Story Text: The People's Republic of China has further broadened its contact with the rest of the world, with the arrival of the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie. The state visit began on Wednesday (6 October), when the Emperor was given a tumultous welcome in Peking and was greeted by Chinese Premier Chou En-lai. The 79-year-old monarch, first emperor in history to visit China, heaped praise on the People's Republic later that evening, at a banquet hosted by Premier Chou En-lai.

    During his visit, the Ethiopian Emperor was to hold talks with the Chinese Premier and other officials, but on Friday (8 October), he was received by Chairman Mao Tse-tung -- his first appearance in two months. The Chairman took the Emperor by the hand and the two elderly leaders retired for talks lasting one hour and 40 minutes in the Peking Room of the Great Hall of the People.

    SYNOPSIS: Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia arrived in the People's Republic of China last Wednesday to begin a six day official visit.

    The Emperor was met by Premier Chou En-lai. As the People's Republic further broadens its contacts with the rest of the world, it opens its arms for the first time to an Emperor. A tumultous welcome awaited Haile Selassie, who numbers among his titles king of Kings and Elect of God.

    Emperor Haile Selassie's stand in the thirties against the fascism of Mussolini is much praised in Peking, where he will now represent the voice of the developing countries of Africa. About a quarter of a million cheering boys and girls met him, contrasting with the almost deserted Haven square.

    Congress House with a huge portrait of Chairman Mao. The Emperor later met Chairman Mao, who was reported to have been in a jovial mood as the two elderly leaders talked for almost two hours.

    Haile Selassie met Chinese diplomats and leaders before a grand banquet in the evening. Toasting the health of Chairman Mao, Haile Selassie said it had long been his cherished desire to visit this great land, which had given birth to man's most enduring civilisation. During his stay, Haile Selassie also had talks with Prince Sihanouk, the deposed head of the Khmer Republic. Premier Chou En-lai gave a banquet in the Emperor's honour.

    At a reception given on Friday, Haile Selassie publicly thanked China for its support of the elimination of colonialism in Africa. The Emperor, whose country supports Peking's membership of the United Nations and the expulsion of Taiwan, left for Iran on Saturday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register