World Notes COMMUNISTS

On the plus side, Moscow and Beijing share a need to bring their stagnant economies into the modern era. On the debit side, they hold contrasting visions of reform that set them at odds. But last week Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Chinese Premier Li Peng put the accent on their mutual interests to play up a year-old rapprochement that has eased tensions between the communist giants after 30 years.

Li's visit to Moscow marked the first by a Chinese head of government in 26 years. The four-day visit resulted in the signing of six accords modestly expanding economic, technical and scientific cooperation until the year 2000 and committing both countries in principle to further troop reductions along their common border. While their ideological differences prevented any return to the close friendship of the past, both leaders stepped delicately around that sensitive ground.