16 November 1978

Nov. 5, Speaking to Thailand’s PM in Bangkok, Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping says a fall of Phnom Penh to Vietnam wouldn’t be a problem. Fighting will continue for a long time, providing aid can be sent continuously. He then asks permission for Chinese planes to overfly🇹🇭.

China sends Wang Dongxing, a deputy chairman of the Chinese Communist Party & former commander of Maos bodyguards, to Cambodia to prepare Khmer Rouge leaders for its refusal to directly defend🇰🇭militarily. Instead it favours financing a guerrilla type conflict.

In a speech to a Chinese delegation, Pol Pot says

The only and best way for Vietnam is to immediately put an end to their aggression against Cambodia and accept to conclude a friendship and non-aggression treaty.

In a letter, the United States urged the @UN Security Council to consider “appropriate” measures to deal with the intensifying border war between Vietnam and Cambodia. US intelligence reports project a Vietnamese offensive, when the rainy season ends in December.

The 5th Central Committee Congress of the🇰🇭Communist Party confirmes Nuon Chea as Deputy Secretary of the party in charge of propaganda, public health, culture & education. Khieu Samphan is listed as Committee Secretary in charge of Unit 870.