No Repeat of ’89 Protests--China Premier

Premier Li Peng, on the first visit by a Chinese head of government to the Soviet Union in 26 years, said today that there will be no repeat of last spring’s pro-democracy demonstrations in China.

Li did, however, acknowledge “minor unrest” in the far western province of Xinjiang, where Xinjiang TV reported that 22 people were killed in rioting April 5 and 6. It was the first such admission by the Beijing government of the riots, which the regional television blamed on Muslims trying to start a holy war.

In a news conference, Li called his visit to Moscow a success because both nations agreed to reduce military forces along their border and continue “good-neighborly, friendly relations.”

Yet in a clue that the two longtime Communist rivals could not resolve all their differences, Li said there will be no joint communique. Such a document is customary for summit meetings.

Li said no joint statement will be issued because his four-day visit is so short and “more time and effort would be needed” to work out a communique. He said each side’s concluding statement will have “no radical differences.”

Li said he sees no problems with preserving the “political stability” in China this spring.