Mao, Khrushchev, and the Moscow Conference, 1957

Abstract

This chapter discusses the 1957 Moscow Conference of World Communist and Workers’ Parties. The idea of convening a conference and issuing a joint declaration was proposed by both the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). During the conference, Mao played an important and unique role. However, Mao’s extemporaneous remarks at the conference shocked the Kremlin. His comments on the Soviet intra-party struggle, his outrageous comments on nuclear war, and his declaration that China would overtake Great Britain in 15 years created doubts and dissatisfaction in the minds of the delegates and cast a cloud over the conference. The Moscow Declaration revealed the Sino-Soviet disagreement, especially Beijing’s challenge to Soviet leadership of the socialist bloc. Thus, the Moscow Conference was a historical turning point in the Sino-Soviet relationship.