as international support from the world proletariat revolutionary forces. The fraternal relationship between the PRC and the Soviet Union embodied a socialist internationalism and coherent ideological framework which gave impetus to the signing of the treaty, and according to Stalin, China’s enrollment “formed a strong, united socialist camp to confront the capitalist camp” and constituted a socialist international cooperation framework more genuine than the capitalist one. Negotiation process Prelude to negotiations On December 6, Mao travelled by train to Moscow, along with Chen Boda, Mao's chief secretary for political and ideological affairs, Ye Siluo, Mao Zedong’s private secretary for secret affairs; Wang Dongxing, who was responsible for Mao's security and Shi Zhe, Mao's interpreter. The first official interaction between Mao and Stalin took place in the Kremlin on the night of the 16th. Mao first claimed that the most important concern for China was securing peace. China needed three to five years of peace to restore the economy to pre-war standards and stabilize the country. The resolution of China’s major issues depended heavily on the prospects for peace. Mao's concern resonated well with Stalin, who responded that there was no direct threat to China from foreign powers since Japan and the Germany was still recovering. Most Western countries, including the United States, were reluctant to wage another war. Stalin also claimed that if the two countries work together and maintain friendly relationships, they can guarantee peace for 20 to 25 years, or even longer. Hence, this view is consistent with the standpoint of the CCP Central Committee at that time. Diverging views Immediately following, Mao addressed his concerns towards the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance signed between the Nationalist Government and the Soviet Union in August 1945, which Liu Shaoqi also raised in July 1949 prior to Mao’s arrival. Therefore, the CCP attached great importance to this issue, and the conclusion of a new treaty with the USSR was one of the main goals for Mao. On the other hand, Stalin preferred the existing treaty with the KMT to remain in force. Stalin argued that the agreement in the treaty was regulated by the Yalta agreement, such as the administration of the Kuril Islands, Southern Sakhalin, and Port Arthur. In other words, the conclusion of the treaty was approved by the United States and Britain, so changes in any points of the treaty would give the United States and Britain