Peiping moved on toward the "national people's congress," which most observers thought might be convened in March to approve the Mao Tse-tung "constitution" and name a "president" to succeed Liu Shao-chi. The process of choosing new Communist Party Committees, begun in Mao's home province of Hunan, was continued in Kwangtung, Kiangsi, Kiangsu, Shanghai and Liaoning.
The story was much as expected-confumation of the overwhelming control of the military. Only in Shanghai was the "people's liberation army" pattern broken. Chang Chun-chiao, the chairman of the "revolutionary committee" for the mainland's largest city, became the party first secretary. Shanghai, however, is the exception to prove the rule. Some soft-pedaling of the Shanghai military is to be expected as the result of worker domination and the sophistication of an industrialized metropolis.
"Revolutionary committees" were supplying the leadership and deputy leadership of the party committees. The rapid rise of the PLA chief of staff, Huang Yung-sheng, was expressed in the early selections. He formerly commanded in Hunan and Kwangtung and was born in Kiangsi. Three leading members of the new committees are his proteges. Some observers saw the possibility of a power struggle between Huang and Hsu Shih-yu, commander of the Nanking military region and the first secretary for Kiangsu.
Thus far no member of the masses or Red Guard organizations has won a leading place on the party committees. There was no information on the selection process, nor any indication of the future relationship among party committees, "revolutionary committees" and the military commands.
The 1971 New Year's joint editorial in People's Daily, Red Flag and Liberation Army Daily was a pedestrian document without surprises. Generalities dominated and specifics were rare. Sweeping claims of progress were made but without any supporting evidence, not even a statistic. Apparently 1971 is still to be the first year of the fourth five-year plan. Also pledged was convening of the "people's congress."
Peiping and Moscow had their differences about what happened at the 16th conference on border rivers. The Russians said a protocol had been signed. There was an implication of agreement. But when the Chinese Communists specified that there was no accord, Peiping said each side issued a report and gave no indication that these were in agreement.
What had happened to Chen Po-ta? The No. 4 man in the hierarchy had not been heard of since August and did not attend the October 1 "celebration." Mao's old henchman was believed to have collided with opponents over the new "constitution" which will be considered by the "people's congress."
Also out of sight was Hsieh Fu-chih, who has been the security chief. He hadn't been seen since last March and there have been changes in the security apparatus since then. The mainland power struggle appeared to be still in progress.
Internationally, the Chinese Communists had reached a point of slowdown. They did, however, send their new mission to Ottawa. Mao seemed more interested in getting representatives into position along the U.S. border than in opening diplomatic establishments in Italy or Chile.
Peiping has not been able to pacify Tibet. New reports told of guerrilla activity by a force as large as 800 operating not far from Lhasa. Most Tibetan freedom fighters are young and many of them were educated in mainland China.
Despite Communist claims of a prosperous year, the influx of refugees into Hongkong showed a sharp increase in the last half of 1970. Without exception, these freedom-seekers told of shortages in food, clothing and other necessities. They were not starving but malnutrition was common and clothes were patched and worn. Mainland distribution appears not to have shown much improvement. Goods may be relatively plentiful in some areas and woefully short in others.
Tens of thousands of Europeans were receiving copies of a "Little Green Book" answer to Mao's "little red book." The publication espoused a conservative democratic point of view and urged a stand against Communism. Among those receiving copies in Great Britain were members of the Chinese Communist mission.
Namecalling was resumed by both Peiping and Moscow. The Chinese Communists continued their war preparations from Canton in the south to Peiping in the north. Visitors to the Communist capital said streets and yards were torn up by the incessant shelter digging.
Following are developments relating to the Chinese mainland and peripheral matters for the month from December 20 through January 19:
December 20
Peiping and Moscow signed a protocol on border rivers, including the Ussuri, where Chinese Communist and Russian troops clashed in 1969. Radio Moscow said the protocol was signed at the final session of the 16th regular conference of the Joint Commission on Navigation of Border Rivers. Also covered were the Amur, Aigun and Sunghuachiang Rivers and Lake Khanka. No other details were given.
Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia said his government was "not out to establish diplomatic relations with (Red) China." He said Malaysia was prepared to accept Peiping's entry into the United Nations but expressed regret at continued Chinese Communist support of terrorists operating along the Thai-Malaysian border.
Tenth anniversary messages were sent to the Viet Cong by Mao Tse-tung, Lin Piao and Chou En-lai. The continued support of the Peiping regime was pledged for Communist forces in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
December 21
The Peiping-based correspondent of the Japanese newspaper Asahi wrote that the Chinese Communists are prepared to intervene in the Indochina war if requested.
A dispatch from Peiping said goals of the "fourth five-year plan," mentioned by Chou En-lai last October, might be announced at the end of 1971. The details are expected to incorporate undertakings of a new "leap forward."
S. Mintaredja, chairman of the Indonesian Moslem Party (Parmusi), said millions of Moslems are being suppressed by the Chinese Communists in Sinkiang. He urged the conference of Moslem countries at Karachi to decide on measures to help those of Islamic faith who are oppressed by Chinese or Russian Communists.
December 22
Lashing out at the Soviet Union for the first time in months, Peiping charged that the Russians had sent troops to Poland and were colonializing Eastern Europe.
December 23
Okinori Kaya, a senior member of the Japanese Lower House, said the United Nations would collapse if Red China were admitted. The former justice and finance minister met with President Chiang Kai-shek during a visit to Taiwan.
Answering Chinese Communist charges, Radio Moscow said Peiping had distorted events in Poland and betrayed the socialist camp. The broadcast said Peiping's propagandists were "more venomous than the imperialist propaganda machine."
"New China News Agency" said Pai Hsiang-kuo, who became vice chairman of the Kwangtung provincial "revolutionary committee" in April of 1969, had been named "minister of foreign trade." He succeeds Yeh Chi-chuang, who died in 1967. Lin Hai-yun, the "vice minister," had been acting chief.
Arriving in Peiping was a Communist Party delegation from Great Britain. Chou En-lai was at the airport and Yao Wen-yuan, member of the Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau, attended a dinner in honor of the visitors.
December 24
An article in the London Times told of the "silent war" against the Chinese Communists in Tibet. Paljor Kusang, a Tibetan who worked for the Chinese Communists as an intelligence agent before his escape to India, gave details of an attack on a Chinese Communist garrison at Nemo, some 32 miles west of Lhasa, last May by a force of 800 Tibetan guerrillas. Some 250 Chinese Reds were killed. The guerrilla force then escaped to mountain hideouts. The article said unescorted Communist vehicles are frequently ambushed. Guerrillas are described as young people of good education. Anti-Communist slogans show up on the streets of Lhasa with regularity.
Peiping claimed no agreement was reached with the Soviet Union at the 16th conference of the Joint Commission on Navigation of Border Rivers. The broadcast said the 17th meeting would be held in the Soviet Union in 1971 on a date to be decided later. Moscow had reported the signing of a protocol. The Chinese Communists said "each side made a report."
Assistant Secretary of State Marshall Green told a U.S. House subcommittee that Peiping has admitted none of the 900 Americans granted passports for travel to Red China and has not responded to other U.S. attempts to relax tensions. The testimony given to the House Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee October 6 also said: "Peking has sought to cast us in the devil's role for the purpose of maintaining domestic cohesion in the face of an alleged foreign threat." Most of the testimony was censored. "It is going to be virtually impossible for us to find any solution" to the U.N. problem, Green said, so long as Peiping insists on the expulsion of the Republic of China. "It would be impossible and unthinkable to force Nationalist China into the hands of the Chinese Communists."
December 25
Released after 28 months in Chinese Communist prisons, David Johnston, a British banker, said he had been forced to sign a confession he "might have done something against the law." He said the Communist vaguely accused him of spying but never lodged any specific charges. He was manager of the Shanghai branch of the Chartered Bank at the time of his arrest.
December 26
Reporting on the Chinese Communist military forces, Col. Li Chang-hao, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China, said there had been no reduction of forces along the southeast coast of China. He attributed this to continuing fears of counterattack from Taiwan. Preparations for war with the U.S.S.R. include the removal of factories to the interior and dispersal of populations, he said. MIG 15s and 17s have been phased out by the enemy's air force, Col. Li said, and some ships added to the navy. Size of the Communist armed forces remains unchanged.
Chinese Communist news media made no mention of Mao Tse-tung's 77th birthday. However, Peiping radio told of foreign visitors going to Shaoshan in Hunan, where Mao was born.
Peiping said its "ambassador" to Albania, Keng Piao, 61, was being recalled for reassignment. The new post was not announced.
December 27
"New China News Agency" told of an agreement with Nepal for construction of two power transmission lines in the mountain kingdom. They will feed power from the Sinkosi hydroelectric plant to Chautara and Barahbise. No dates or costs were stipulated.
Foreign Minister Ihsan Sabri Caglayangil told the National Assembly that Turkey would consider recognizing the Chinese Communists but not at the cost of expelling the Republic of China from the United Nations. He said a Turkish mission had gone to Hongkong to explore trade possibilities with the Chinese mainland.
December 28
Anti-Communists set fire to a navy storage compound at Canton in October, a Hongkong newspaper said. Three hundred persons were arrested after the blaze, which raged for three days and caused US$12 million worth of damage.
Eight persons were arrested by the Hongkong authorities as they crossed the border from Red China. The Chinese Communists were reported to have stepped up patrolling along the Shum Chun River on the mainland-Hongkong border.
Peiping claimed that 40 per cent of fertilizer output came from small plants in 1970 versus 21 per cent in 1965. Timber output for the year was reported up by 13 per cent.
December 29
Chinese Communists claimed that good stocks of food and daily necessities were available in the markets of Peiping, Shanghai, Tientsin and other big cities on the eve of the New Year. Peiping boasted that despite a cold winter, it had summer vegetables grown in the green houses of suburban communes. Most refugees escaping from the mainland wear patched garments, but an NCNA article maintained sales of cotton knitwear were up 52 per cent, woolen yarn 59 per cent and cotton cloth 14 per cent. The Communists never give figures, only percentages.
December 30
U.S. Representative John Schmitz said the fall of the Chinese mainland to the Communists was the worst catastrophe of the 20th century. U.S. policy mistakes on China, he said, led to the Vietnam and Korean conflicts.
A circular issued by the Chinese Communist "state council" called for a mass movement to "support the army and give preferential treatment to servicemen in keeping with Mao Tse-tung's teachings." The document, distributed throughout the mainland, said defense was "greatly strengthened" in 1970 but gave no details.
Another year-end claim by Peiping was of a 20 per cent increase in transportation volume. Railways were said to have fulfilled their annual quota 34 days ahead of time and inland waterways 11 days ahead.
Claiming that 1970 was the ninth straight year of good harvests, NCNA said total and per hectare grain output set new records. Surpluses were reported from Hopei, Honan and Shantung provinces for the first time.
December 31
Pravda assailed Chinese Communists for charges growing out the Polish riots. Reports that Russian troops were massed along the Polish border were "lies," the Communist Party newspaper said.
Taipei sources said the Marxist government of Chile would establish relations with the Chinese Communists. President Salvador Allende recognized Cuba November 12 and North Korea November 16.
Fifty-seven bodies of freedom seekers were found in Hongkong and Macao waters in November. Hongkong police announced that two more had been washed ashore.
Peiping will relax restrictions on mainland tourism in the fall, said a Hongkong travel magazine. Group tours will be arranged for nationals of countries which have diplomatic relations with the Chinese Communists, the article said.
January 1
Radio Peiping told of the establishment of Chinese Communist Party committees in Kwangtung, Kiangsi and Kiangsu provinces. The Kwangtung committee has 75 members and 25 alternates, that in Kiangsi 89 members and 16 alternates, and that in Kiangsu 56 members and 33 alternates. The first provincial committee was established in Hunan in December. This left 25 committees to go before the expected convocation of the "national people's congress."
The 1971 joint editorial in People's Daily, Red Flag and Liberation Army Daily declared that the Chinese Communists were leading the "world revolution against United States imperialism and Soviet social imperialism." The statement declared that the "national people's congress" would be convened in 1971 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party and the 100th anniversary of the Paris Commune. The year will also mark start of the fourth five-year plan, the editorial said.
January 2
Thirty-seven Chinese Communist technicians arrived in Khartoum to study establishment of fertilizer, agricultural machinery, paper, weaving and textile industries in the Sudan. Another project will be petroleum exploration.
January 3
An Italian Communist journalist returning from the mainland said Peiping has the appearance of a wartime city. Red Guards and soldiers are conspicuous in the streets, said Alberto Jocoviello of L'Unita, and air raid shelters are being dug or extended. "The crowds of Peiping are indescribable," he wrote. "It is like a continuous migration of tens of thousands of people, on foot, on bicycles, on buses, on trams. One does not see a single girl without trousers."
Canton's Southern Daily told of anti-Maoist activity in Kwangtung. "The counterrevolutionaries or class enemies must be dealt a fatal blow," the paper said.
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said Canada may review its support of the "important question" formula on China representation at the United Nations. He said: "It can hardly be denied that China's membership in the organization is an important question and as such, a decision should not be forced on the United Nations by a scant plurality. At the same time, however, we did make it clear that we would reconsider our position on this type of resolution should we think it were merely a procedural device to frustrate the will of a majority of the membership."
French reports said that the Shah of Iran was considering recognition of Peiping in an attempt to persuade the Chinese Communists to stop backing revolutionary movements in Persian Gulf states. Teheran was also said interested in selling fertilizer and petrochemicals to the mainland.
Six freedom-seekers reached Hongkong from the mainland after rowing a 17-foot sampan for 11 hours and dodging Communist gunboats in the dark for the first 5 hours. They represented three generations of a single family.
January 4
Commercial sources in Hongkong said mainland trade probably reached US$4,000 million in 1970.
Prime Minister Eisaku Sato said Japan cannot change its China policy without regard to the views of the Republics of China and Korea, the United States and the Soviet Union. He said the Japanese government might be "more flexible" about using Export-Import Bank funds to finance trade with the Chinese Communists.
Documents captured from Communist guerrillas in West Kalimantan (Borneo) show the rebel activities are directed by Peiping, said Brig. Gen. Sumadi, commander of West Kalimantan forces. He said 800 guerrillas had infiltrated into West Kalimantan from Sarawak.
January 5
A letter to the New York Times from George Yeh, Republic of China minister without portfolio and former foreign minister, said the free Chinese government had never made any commitment to the United States in which it abandoned the right of self-defense. He denied a Times report by C. L. Sulzberger that a "secret and binding commitment" was reached with the United States restricting any action against the Chinese mainland.
Moscow Radio said reorganization of the Chinese Communist Party has been proceeding at snail's pace because of a power struggle. The broadcast said that only about 100 of 2,000 mainland counties had completed party reorganization. Moscow told of struggle between party and military leaders, and between old Communist cadres and new ones.
Hongkong sources said the Chinese Communists may be delaying orders for Australian wheat in an effort to force down the price. Peiping has been buying 30 to 40 per cent of the Australian crop. Purchases totaled A$118 million in 1970. After Ottawa's recognition of Peiping in October, the Chinese Communists ordered 2.5 million tons of wheat worth C$160 million from Canada.
Foreign Minister Adam Malik said Indonesia has no plans to normalize diplomatic relations with the Chinese Communists. He said that any improvement would depend on Peiping's recognition of President Suharto's government and the termination of subversive activities in Indonesia.
The foreign policy committee of Japan's ruling Liberal-Democratic Party will review its policy toward Peiping in February, it was announced in Tokyo.
January 6
Sources in the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Chile's recognition of Red China would not lead to similar actions by other Latin American countries. Austria is expected to begin recognition talks with Peiping soon, the same sources said.
Some 30,000 influential Parisians received copies of a "Little Green Book" attacking Mao Tse-tung's "little red book" and urging "work, duty, life, freedom and tolerance" as the core of man's existence. The book was printed in Holland by the "Green Force," identified as a "secret organization defending parliamentary democracy and private property." Copies of the booklet have turned up elsewhere in Europe and in Great Britain.
January 7
Reports from Badhdad said the Arab Liberation Front of Iraq was urging closer ties with Peiping. Peiping was reported providing arms for Al Fatah, the main Arab commando group, and dispatching some guerrillas to the Chinese mainland for training.
President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines was examining the possibility of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union but not with Red China, North Korea and North Vietnam.
January 8
Communists in Canton said "traitors and spies" of the regime and the military had passed "state secrets and confidential documents" to foreign intelligence agencies. Travelers reaching Hongkong said traitors and agents were to be found in "all units."
Peiping Radio lashed out at the United States as a "bean curd tiger." Red Chinese propagandists said the U.S. imperialists would be smashed by the "American people's revolutionary violence."
Four U.S. planes intruded into Yunnan air space, the Chinese Communists charged in their 4 79th "serious warning" to Washington.
London announced the raising of its Peiping representative from "acting charge d'affaires" to "permanent charge d'affaires." Sources in Britain said Keng Piao, outgoing Chinese Communist "ambassador" in Albania, probably would head the Peiping diplomatic offensive in Latin American, possibly as "ambassador" to Chile.
Hongkong sources said that Chinese Communist border forces have been ordered to shoot to kill anyone attempting to escape. A newspaper reproduced the first page of a Kwangtung document giving such an instruction.
January 9
Reports in Tokyo suggested that the "people's liberation army" is firmly entrenching itself in positions of mainland civilian power. Seen in both Peiping and Canton was an emblem combining the Communist hammer and sickle with a rifle.
Pravda denounced Chinese Communist "nationalism" as damaging to the "entire socialist movement." The editorial said the displacement of Marxism-Leninism by Maoism has split the struggle against imperialism and turned the national liberation movement away from the socialist community.
Mainland exports of narcotics are running at a rate of US$500 million annually, said Hongkong sources. Taipei sources put the amount at US$800 million. Opium poppies are reported grown in Kansu, Shensi, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, Kweichow and Kwangsi. Outlets include Macao, Cuba, North Vietnam, North Korea, Albania and some African countries.
Freed after 17 months of detention on spy charges was Masato Saito, an interpreter aboard a Japanese freighter. He was arrested in Tientsin. He was sentenced to three years but released early because of ill health.
January 10
When opportunity arises, "a world-shaking change will occur on the Chinese mainland overnight," said Chang Pao-shu, secretary-general of the Kuomintang, after a five-day conference to review the working platform of the Central Committee of the Nationalist Party for the first half of 1971.
Maoist publications announced a theoretical guideline for Communist Party reconstruction. It originated with members of the party's Hunan provincial committee.
Rebels controlling mountainous areas of the Persian Gulf sheikdom of Oman are led by 140 guerrilla warfare advisers of the "people's liberation army," according to information from the Middle East. The first Chinese Communist "people's warfare" specialists reached Oman two years ago to head up the attempt to overthrow Sultan Qabas bin Said, whose forces hold the cities. Rebels were said to be in control of the agricultural plain of Dhofar.
January 11
Tass said dates for the "national people's congress" may be set in January and that the meeting is likely to announce a successor to Liu Shao-chi as "chief of state."
January 12
Peiping agreed to open talks with a Japanese mission for renewal of an unofficial trade agreement. Only a small amount of Chinese Communist-Japanese trade is conducted under the accord. The rest is through so-called "triendly companies."
January 13
Shanghai's Communist Party committee was established at a conference January 4 to 10, NCNA announced. Chang Chun-chiao, chairman of the Shanghai "revolutionary committee," was named first secretary. Peiping observers said the "people's congress" would be convened in February or March, internal political requirements permitting.
Travelers reaching Hongkong said the Chinese Communists were rebuilding the Tien Ho airfield at Canton into a military base as part of the war preparations campaign.
Moscow Radio accused the Chinese Communists of trying to drive a wedge between Russia and North Vietnam and slowing down the flow of Soviet aid to Hanoi.
January 14
Representatives of the Chinese Communist mission in London visited the headquarters of the British Labor Party. Included were the first secretary, third secretary and commercial counselor. The gesture was unprecedented since start of the "cultural revolution."
Athens reported negotiations under way for a US$20 million barter deal with the Chinese Communists. Greece would exchange 20,000 tons of tobacco for mutton.
January 15
Leonid F. llychev, chief Soviet negotiator in the border talks with Red China, returned to Peiping from a visit to Moscow.
Reports from Singapore said Malaysia had received a response from Peiping to its proposals for the neutralization of Southeast Asia. The Chinese Communists were said to have asked for further information on the proposal by Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak.
Still labeled "whereabouts unknown" were Chen Po-ta, No.4 in the Chinese Communist Party hierarchy in recent years, and Hsieh Fu-chih, "minister of public security." Hsieh last made an appearance March 19 when he was among those welcoming deposed Prince Sihanouk to Peiping. He was one of the 21 members of the Politburo, a "vice premier" and chairman of the Peiping "revolutionary committee." Not long after Hsieh's disappearance, the Peiping police he had controlled stopped carrying weapons and the job of guarding foreign embassies was taken over by soldiers.
Chen Po-ta was last mentioned in August and failed to show up for October 1 "ceremonies." He was Mao's private secretary for years and is supposed to have written some of the articles appearing under Mao's name and many of the principal Maoist documents. He was director of the "cultural revolution" group and rose to the No. 4 spot following Mao, Lin Piao and Chou En-lai. As the principal author of the 1954 "constitution," he played a role in writing the new "constitution" debated by the Party Central Committee in August and September. There was speculation that Chen may have been defeated in struggle over some aspects of the new draft.
Peiping's new acting charge d'affaires in London, Pei Chien-tsang, paid his first call on Anthony Royale, parliamentary undersecretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
January 16
One article of the draft "constitution" to be considered by the "people's congress" would set up Peiping as the international headquarters of international revolution. It promises political asylum to any foreigner "persecuted for supporting a just cause, for taking part in the revolutionary movement or for engaging in scientific activity." Also provided is Peiping's control over any Chinese national, no matter what the person's place of residence or formal nationality.
January 17
Liaoning, Manchurian province bordering North Korea, got its reorganized Communist Party at a meeting in Shenyang from January 9 to 13. NCNA said the provincial "congress" elected a party committee of 81 members and 28 alternates and a standing committee headed by military men. This raised the provincial committee score to 6 out of 29.
Intelligence sources in Taipei said Huang Yung-sheng, chief of staff of the PLA, may succeed Lin Piao as defense chief. Huang could already be acting for Lin, who has been reported seriously ill of tuberculosis.
State Department officials said basic U.S. policy toward Red China remains unchanged. They said President Nixon deliberately omitted the word "diplomatic" when he vaguely spoke of relations with Peiping at some time in the future.
The Japanese announced a new unofficial fishing agreement with the Chinese Communists. No more than 15 Japanese fleets, each with 6 purse seiners, are supposed to operate in the East China Sea for periods of three months from August 1 or four months from September 1, depending on the area.
January 18
NCNA charged the Zaibatsu had made a comeback in postwar Japan and gained control of the economy. Monopoly capital is more concentrated than before 1945, said the Peiping agency. The "big 10" of prewar Japan ( Mitsui, Iwasaki, Sumitomo, Yasuda, Nomura, Okura, Asano, Nakajima, Furukawa and Ayukawa ) have become the "big 6" of Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Fuji, Daiichi and Sanwa, NCNA said.
Minister-Counselor Richard Sneider of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo confirmed that the United States and Japan were discussing China representation at the United Nations. He said talks centered around analysis of the 1970 votes at the U.N.
January 19
Miss Yuan Mao-ju, an engineer who escaped from the China mainland, said Peiping's progress in nuclear weapons development was not indicative of all-around scientific advance. She said that in general, science education is backward on the Chinese mainland. The 29-year-old Miss Yuan is now a student at the University of Illinois in the United States.
Secretary-General U Thant said the United Nations was preparing for the possibility of Chinese Communist membership but that no change in China representation was to be expected before 1972.