Be wary of Soviet hegemonic ambitions (1976)
March 14, 1976 People's Daily Electronic Edition new.zlck.com " People's Daily" Calendar < March 1976> 123456 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 01 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 92 02 12 22 32 42 52 62 72 82 93 03 11 2 3 4
Not long ago, we visited the Veneto region in northeastern Italy. We are deeply impressed by the friendly feelings of the people here towards the Chinese people, their glorious tradition of resisting foreign aggression and fascism, and especially their vigilance against Soviet hegemonic ambitions today.
By plane from Rome, it takes less than an hour to reach the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, which borders the Adriatic Sea.
We visited Venice, the capital of the Veneto region, the famous water city. As early as many centuries ago, the people here have had friendly exchanges with the Chinese people. The author of "Marco Polo's Travels", which introduced the situation in China during the Yuan Dynasty to the Italian and European people, was born here. During our visit, Italian friends talked to us about the time-honored ties between the people here and the Chinese people, and expressed their hope to further develop the friendly relations between the Italian and Chinese peoples.
In mid-February this year, the provincial government of the province of Trevizzo in the Veneto region held a photo exhibition reflecting the new achievements of China's industrial and agricultural production. Han Kehua, Chinese Ambassador to Italy, was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Accompanied by Governor Bernini and other officials, he toured local factories, villages and schools, watched famous Renaissance buildings and frescoes, and met with people from all walks of life. He was warmly received in a friendly atmosphere between the Italian and Chinese peoples.
The Veneto people have a glorious history of struggle against foreign aggression and fascism. This is the place where eastern and central Europe enters the Apennine Peninsula. After the decline of Italy at the end of the 18th century, Veneto was occupied and divided by foreign countries. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that the Italian people fought against foreign occupation and unification of the motherland, and the region returned to the embrace of the motherland. During the Second World War, Veneto was occupied by the German fascist army again, and the people here fought a heroic struggle against the German fascist occupying forces and the Italian fascist rule. The head of a Veneto magazine told us: "In ancient and recent history, we have always fought against foreign oppression and for freedom." He also meaningfully emphasized: "In the face of the military threat of superpowers It is of practical significance to review the history of the Veneto people's resistance to foreign aggression."
Like the rest of Italy, Veneto suffered severe damage in both world wars, and the people really wanted peace. However, in the face of the fierce competition between the two hegemons, especially the military expansion of the Soviet Union, more and more people have no illusions about peace and security. A philosophy professor who has been engaged in political activities for many years told us: "According to historical experience and today's reality, a world war will one day break out. Due to the importance of Europe's strategic and economic status, the Soviet Union is likely to attack Europe first." He He pointed out that the so-called detente did not bring security to Europe, but increased the danger of war. A politician who spoke to us, in response to some in the West's dream of "détente" and the Munich idea, said: "The Soviet Union is now pursuing a purely imperialist policy. It threatens the security of Europe more than it threatens the security of the rest of the world. More serious. It is very dangerous to have illusions about the Soviet Union or to show weakness." The politician is concerned about the intensification of Brezhnev bloc's political, economic and cultural infiltration into Italy. He said that because Italy occupies an important strategic position in southern Europe, the Soviet Union has been eyeing Italy.
Veneto is just a stone's throw away from the Balkans. People here are particularly anxious about the frenzied expansion of the Soviet Union in the Balkans. An Italian friend said: "The military expansion of the Soviet Union is a serious threat to Italy's security." He pointed out that the Soviet Union deployed heavy troops in the northern Balkans and often imposed brutal military and political pressure on certain Balkan countries. It sent warships into the Adriatic Sea several times. Once the Soviet Union thought the time was right for a military occupation of the neighboring Balkan country, its tanks were just three hours away from Trevizzo. "In the face of military threats from superpowers, we should strengthen our own defense capabilities," he said.
Xinhua News Agency reporter
----The above is the original content of "People's Daily"----
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