Although the relations between China and the Soviet Union had deteriorated during the recent years, Mao's words still carried great weight in the Kremlin, and they were frequently in contact during the crisis.
Kuigi suhted Hiina ja Nõukogude Liidu vahel olid eelnenud aastatel märgatavalt halvenenud, omasid Mao sõnad jätkuvalt kaalu Kremli silmis.