The pendulum already swinging back on mainland
Hardliners are gaining ground again
Red China's pendulum is swinging significantly further from the more liberal and progressive policies introduced after the fall of the Gang of Four in 1976. At the same time, a growing tendency to play down the damaging aspects of the cultural revolution is emerging.
Only last year this devastating Mao inspired political movement was still held to be one of the most calamitous events in Chinese history, so even the slightest pressure towards rehabilitation is important.
In the new situation, (Red) China's strongman, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, who introduced a wide range of reformist policies in 1978 and 1979, appears to have narrowed his sights to the key targets of restructuring the bureaucracy and giving the peasants and factories a wide measure of economic responsibility.
A People's Daily article early this month, composed of quotations from Mr. Deng's earlier speeches claiming to derive political authority from Chair man Mao Tse-tung and declaring war on inefficient bureaucrats, was a key event and should be seen as a challenge to the growing power of the hardliners.
It is a matter of argument whether this represents a willing compromise by Mr. Deng and his group with senior conventional Communists in the leader ship. The Army particularly has objected to the post-cultural revolution freedoms, on which there has been significant backtracking in the past two years.
Mr. Deng, some would argue, has never been a true liberal and merely exploited the surge of popular feeling against the cultural revolution in 1978 to get rid of his political opponents. That done, he is now happy to clamp down again, particularly as liberalisation brought unwelcome developments such as a loss of party power and a rise in crime and corruption.
But others view the trend towards portraying the cultural revolution in a less damaging light as an ominous sign of the growing power of the hardliners in the leadership and continuing instability at the top. This view is rein forced by the onset of tighter control over cultural freedoms. It is, in any case, difficult to see how bureaucratic reform and economic independence can be successfully implemented in an atmosphere of rigidity.
A shift to a harder line is not a complete surprise. The party Central Committee's apparent delay in reaching an acceptable solution on re-evaluating Chairman Mao in June was an early warning of this. That came after the final crackdown in April on the "democratic" movement which surfaced in 1978. But the line seems likely to get progressively tougher.
The incipient trend towards rehabilitating the cultural revolution has begun to encroach into the economic field. Although it is admitted that the cultural revolution was indeed a disaster, the October 1 issue of Red Flag, the party's theoretical organ, noted that the economy had made significant progress at the time. It even added that Chairman Mao was "comparatively careful" in economic work.
While some of the production figures for those years show rises in output, Chinese economists have been at pains since to indicate that the policies were wrong and the figures deceptive.
The importance of "proletarian ideology" - in effect, the recognition of the commanding role of the Communist Party and its policies - has also made a gradual comeback, after years of stress on the importance of economic motivation. Last month, Mr. Ni Zhifu, the trade union boss (himself a model worker promoted under Chairman Mao's leadership), stressed that "ideology and political work are the lifeblood of all other work."
Although the Chinese press explains that politics should not dominate to the exclusion of all other considerations, the theme of its importance has surfaced frequently of late in discussions of industry and education policy. This must still be uncomfortably reminiscent to many Chinese of the Gang of Four's watchword "politics in command."
The education and religious reform policies introduced in 1978 and 1979 are already being whittled down. Screening and selective schooling for bright children have been abolished in some provinces. Belief in religion, permitted by the constitution and tolerated in some areas, is not compatible with party membership, Fujian province has now said.
Two writers have recently fallen foul of the authorities. Early this month, the People's Daily criticized an author, Li Jian, for his novels of the past two years which contained vivid scenes of terror, violence and Red Guard rape. These events, the People's Daily said, were attributed to the "highest instructions" and therefore formed an attack on Chairman Mao's views.
This attitude contrasts sharply with detailed accounts in the People's Daily itself in 1979 of atrocities during the cultural revolution.
A Sichuan poet was recently attacked for describing a huge phantom "arrogantly" wandering over China. The local Shaanxi province paper said that seldom had Chairman Mao been vilified in such a way and took particular issue with the writer's portrayal of feudalism in socialist China. Until recently even the official Chinese press carried articles criticizing the legacy of feudal ideas.
This follows the seven-month-old campaign against Bai Hua whose film script, Bitter Love, outlined the tragedy of an artist who returned to the motherland only to be hunted down as an enemy in the cultural revolution.
The changing cultural wind is also discernible in the reappearance of two of the eight "model operas," master minded during her ascendancy by Jiang Qing, despite the scorn and ridicule heaped on these political works ...
None of this necessarily argues that Deng is not in full control. It does suggest, though, that there is widespread resistance to his ideas, and that he is not yet home and dry.
Peiping attacks proponents of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
U. S. Backers of ROC "Anti-Communist"
Communist China has attacked Americans supporting arms sales to the ROC for being "anti-Communist." An "official" Hsinhua News Agency commentary made the revealing statement.
The Chinese Communist rebuttal to a New York Times editorial, which said Peiping has no right to veto U.S. arms sales to the ROC, declared that the Times "brings into the open the anti-Communist, anti-(Red) China nature of those Americans who insist on the sale."
The Hsinhua commentary said the November 20 editorial, in trying to find a "pretext" for U.S. sales of fighter jets and other arms to the Republic of China, had resorted to distortion' of facts, "an absurd argument" and was "ignorant and ill-informed." Peiping, which has been offering "peaceful" unification to Taiwan, objects to Taiwan arming.
It quoted the New York Times editorial as saying, "Peiping has no legal or moral right to veto American sales" and responded to this assertion by exclaiming, "what arrogant and hegemonist logic." A further Times comment quoted as, "Why should its (Peiping) Communist regime define American ties with an anti-Communist ally?" said the Communist Chinese rebuttal, "brings into the open the anti Communist, anti-(Red) China nature of those Americans who insist on the sales."
Reds to 'Promise'
On arms use
The United States has assured the ASEAN countries - the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia - that it will consult them before selling arms to Communist China.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, John Holdridge, said the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should not worry about future arms sales to Red China as there were conditions imposed on the purchase, presumably referring to use limits such as those previously applied on Iran and Israel.
Speaking to reporters on a two-day visit to Malaysia, Holdridge said the arms were only for defensive purposes and would be sold on a case-by-case basis.
This would enable the U. S. to study the situation carefully and also to en able consultations with the ASEAN countries.
He added that any future sales to Communist China would not be in large quantities.
Holdridge said that his visit to Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur after attending the ASEAN-U. S. conference in Bali was to inform the ASEAN leaders on the American stand on the purchase of arms by Red China.
He said the discussion was necessary as ASEAN was the U.S.'s fifth largest trading partner in the world.
The United States values highly the existing relations with ASEAN, he added.
Don't really be friendly
Says Peiping
The Communist Chinese regime has again warned mainland Chinese to avoid contacts with foreigners as much as possible, reports from Communist China's two major cities said.
A foreign resident of Shanghai said a proclamation from the Peiping regime had been read in political meetings to all mainland Chinese having regular contacts with foreigners.
One version of the proclamation read to mainland Chinese workers at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai urged them not to sell themselves to foreigners.
Students at Chinghua University in Peiping also were summoned for a political meeting and warned against interactions with foreigners.
A foreign teacher in Peiping said he had detected a growing resistance to establishing personal relationships among foreign teachers and mainland Chinese students.
Arms for friends
Of Peiping
Communist China's military sales around the world increased rapidly in 1981 and are approaching the US$1 billion mark, a senior Western diplomat told UPI.
"Their arms exports have increased dramatically over the last year and their capacity to export has hardly been plumbed," the diplomat, who declined to be identified, said in a UPI interview.
Although Communist Chinese arms sales pale in comparison with those of the Americans or Soviets, Communist China's emergence as a weapons merchant is being watched carefully because of its ability to supplant Soviet arms supply arrangements.
"In terms of new commitments, it's probably up to the US$1 billion mark, up from very little previously," the diplomat said. "It's getting up in that range and doesn't show any sign of leveling off there."
Most of Communist China's military exports are lower-level technology such as AK-47 sub-machine guns, but Peiping also is selling tanks and jet fighters as well. Pakistan, for example, is receiving both tanks and jets, and the Communist Chinese helped build a factory in Pakistan for overhauling the jet engines.
AMPHIBIAN INVASION CRAFT
Mass production of hovercraft, exhibited recently in mainland China at a marine technology show, would increase Peiping's ability to cross the Taiwan Strait.
Sugar Bullets Ease the Way
Corruption-Widespread Disease in Red China
Corruption, labeled in Red China's ideological jargon a "a disease of the old feudal society" or an "excess inherent in capitalism" is today a wide spread disease so serious that nothing can be done against it, the Dutch NRC Handels daily commented.
W. Van Kemenade, the daily's Hongkong correspondent, said in the article that almost every day Red China's media have new disclosures about nepotism, theft of state-property, abuses of power and government authorities greasing their own palms and accepting money and gifts from foreigners.
Perhaps in no other place is nepotism so widespread as in Red China, the article said.
As if to underline the point Communist China revealed what it called the biggest fraud case since 1949.
The People's Daily newspaper said Chen Meng-hsiao had been arrested for cheating more than 50 departments and more than 200 government officials.
Chen, 57, forged documents showing he was a college graduate, a qualified engineer and member of the Communist Party enroute to forming the "China Furfural Research Institute." Furfural is a colorless liquid distilled from corn cobs that is widely used in industry.
"The institute was illegally formed through back door and under-the-table practices which fooled leading cadres and departments in charge," the news paper said.
"With false asset's of 750,000 yuan, he got the China Furfural Research Institute registered with industrial and commercial administrations, obtained business licenses for at home and abroad and opened a foreign currency account'"
Two of Chen's techniques were offering gifts and getting jobs for relatives of officials with whom he wanted to do business.
People's Daily said Chen bought peanuts, sesame oil, honey, dates, mutton, live chickens and other gifts whenever he came to Peking.
In another case a Communist Chinese official made an unauthorized trip to the United States where he spent most of his time touring.
A broadcast by Radio Changsha in central Hunan Province said Chao Ching-hua, party secretary and manager of Hunan Arts and Crafts Import and Export Company had violated foreign affairs discipline and Communist regulations.
During his overseas trip in May 1980, Chao allegedly made use of his function and business position, illegally swapped foreign exchange coupons and bought for himself and his relatives television sets, radio recorders, cameras, radios, electric hair driers, woolen clothes and other high-grade commodities, the broadcast said.
Not to be outdone, the former director of a co-op in southern Kwang tung Province netted US$40,000 from smuggling in less than two years, the Peiping Evening News reported.
Yao Ta-chian, former head of the "Peace" co-op corrupted leading cadres with gifts and bribes to smooth the way for his schemes, the newspaper said, Yao was involved in smuggling goods and made US$40,000 from the sale of items such as watches and ready-made men's suits.
The report note, "With sugar coated bullets Yao cleaned the way for his smuggling deals." Yao spent more than US$3,000 on gifts to seven county and commune units, the daily said, presumably to clear the way for his smuggling operation .
General
Army Corrupt
The Red army's top general accused it of ideological "paralysis," disobeying the Communist party, corruption, incompetence, mediocrity and lack of discipline, the party newspaper said.
"Army chief of general staff," Yang Dezhi, also indicated that older generals must yield to young men, obey the party and stop resisting retirement, People's Daily reported.
Mainland Economics
Story of a 10-yuan note
A 10-yuan note came into circulation. One day the note reached the accounting section of a factory. The section chief was deeply absorbed in counting the factory's losses when the 10-yuan note spoke: "Section chief, I am here to report my presence."
The section chief showed surprise at first but, upon seeing that it was only a 10-yuan note, said impatiently: "Beat it! Don't disturb me. Can't you see I'm busy?
"I am here in answer to the call of the four modernizations," the 10 yuan note declared. "I should have received your attention. And you must be aware that I'm the largest-denomination bill in circulation."
"You stupid fellow," the section chief said in anger, "What do you know? It's not that I don't like you personally. "What I mean is that you can't be of much help to this factory. You see, our losses amount to hundreds of thousands of yuan a year. Even eight or 10 notes like you coming here won't make any difference.
The 10-yuan note listened in stunned silence.
"Don't be surprised," the section chief continued. "Some factories cannot produce a single item after spending millions of yuan of state investment. Ours is better off in comparison."
Sometime afterwards, the 10-yuan bill was given to a clerk of the factory's supply section.
That night, the note asked his new owner: "Do you like me?
"Yes, I like you indeed. How can it be otherwise? the clerk replied. "I will make maximum use of what you are worth, and I can appreciate your value several times."
Looking puzzled, the 10-yuan note said, "I don't understand. I am a 10-yuan banknote. The law says I am worth 10 yuan, not more and not less."
"It shows you don't understand social conditions," said the clerk. "You know my job? I am in charge of many state-controlled items. Since I am the one in charge, ‘State control' means 'I control.' Whoever needs the state controlled items must first establish a connection with me. That's why I can do a lot of things. The shoes I am wearing are made of 'high-quality leather and are worth over 20 yuan in the market. But I bought them for only five yuan. That means I can make you worth four times more than your denomination indicates".
"So, I can fully develop my talent only when I'm in your hands," said the 10-yuan bill.
"No," replied the clerk. "Your value is floating, depending on the position and the number of connections your owner has. For instance, some influential person helps somebody else obtain two tons of steel, and later makes a large cabinet for him, charging him only 10 yuan, although the cabinet is actually worth 120 yuan. Then your value would be increased more than 10-fold."
The 10-yuan bill returned to the bank after completing the journey.
In answer to the bank president's question about its trip, the note replied:
"My impression is that I can be worth more than 100 yuan when I am in the right hands, whereas I would be insignificant in the public coffers."
Legion warns of 'Red Card' Danger
Not in best interests of U. S.
The American Legion does not accept the view that embracing the Chinese Communists at the expense of the Republic of China is in the best economic and strategic interests of the United States, the Legion's national commander said.
Commander lack W. Flynt also reaffirmed Legion support for selling advanced American jet fighters to the Republic of China, and for normalization of military and diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei.
Commenting on the illusion of mainland trade, Flynt noted that "any serious improvement in trade with mainland China is certain to be a long time in coming" because Communist China is "dirt poor."
The American Legion is convinced that Free China "is and will remain more important to U.S. economic interests than will Communist China for many years to come," he added.
As to the concept of playing the "Red China card," Flynt pointed out that advocates have failed to take into account "the essential reason for opposing Soviet expansion in the first place."
"Despite current ideological and territorial disputes, the Red Chinese and the Russians may determine that it is in their best interests to collaborate for the fulfillment of their avowed goals," Flynt warned.
"Thus," he continued, "while it may be advantageous for the United States to exploit any present differences between Peiping and Moscow, it would be dangerous to U.S. interests to become overly dependent upon the good will of the Red Chinese, especially if Americans were required to sacrifice other options or endanger our allies."
The American veterans leader said that, “Whoever controls Taiwan has the ability to either protect or interdict sea traffic between Northeast Asia and the remainder of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Western Europe. If Taiwan should fall into the hands of a hostile power, U.S. interests would be seriously and detrimentally affected.”
Danish paper picks
Biggest joke
The Borlingske Tidene, the largest newspaper in Denmark, has chosen a sarcastic cartoon piece from a Taipei newspaper - depicting the Chinese Communists offering the Republic of China economic aid - as "the best humour of 1981."
The Berlingske Tidene reproduced the cartoon, which showed a bankrupt cyclist asking a rich man sitting in a convertible, "Do you want financial assistance?".
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Free writers, Spaniards tell Peiping
The Spanish chapter of Amnesty International in Madrid has published a list of 20 editors and writers of publications on the Chinese mainland, who have been jailed by the Chinese Communist regime since April 1981.
In a report to Amnesty International, the Spanish group said the writers were arrested for exercising their rights of thinking, expression and association.
The 20 writers and editors imprisoned on the Chinese mainland are:
1. - Yang Ching, an editor of the April 5th Tribune in Peiping.
2. - Hsu Wen-li, another editor of the April 5th Tribune in Peiping.
3. - Fu Shen-chi, editor in chief of People's Voice in Shanghai and the national magazine Responsibility.
4. - Ho Chiu, editor of Free Talk, in Langchou.
5. - Cheng Yu-lin, editor of Outcry in Wenchou province of Chekiang.
6. - Chung Yue-chiu, editor of People's Voice and North River in Shaokuang, province of Kuangtung.
7. - Wang lung-ching, an editor of the Chi River it Hangchou, province of Chekiang.
8. - Sun Feng, editor of Foam of the Waves, in Tsintao province of Shantung.
9. - Wang Hsi-che, of the Learners Bulletin of Canton.
10. - Chen Er-chin, writer of a pamphlet "On The Proleterian Democratic Revolution" in the province of Yunnan.
11 - Yang Sai-hsing, a dissident in Kweiyang, province of Kweichou, who created the "Society of Enlightenment".
12. - Liu Eh-an, editor of Bricks of Democracy in Anyang, province of Honan.
13. - Chang Ching-sheng, editor of The Republican in Changsha, province of Hunan.
14. - Chu Chien-pin, an editor of The Bell in Wuhan, province of Hupei.
15. - Ching Yung-min, another editor of The Bell in Wuhan.
16. - Peng Kwang-chung, editor of the Fortnightly Review, in the province of Kweichou.
17. - Wang Tse-yuan, editor of The Review in Tientsin, province of Hopei.
18. - Hsing Ta-kun, editor of Friends Forum in Tsintao, province of Shantung.
19. - Yeh Tzung-wu, an editor of April 5th Tribune and the Chi River in Hangchou, province of Chekiang.
20. - Liu Li-ping, editor of Bulletin of Ideals in Changsha, province of Hunan .