chi@vlsi.uwaterloo.ca (Bo Chi) (12/08/89)
| +---------I __L__ ___/ \ -------I +----+----+ | ___\_\_ | \./ | | -----+- | | | | | __ \/ | --+-- |--- | |---| | I----+----I | I__J/\ | __|__ | | | |---| | | | _____ \ | /| \ | | | L__-| | I I---------J / J \/ | | V | J * C h i n a N e w s D i g e s t * (ND Canada Service) -- Dec. 8 (I), 1989 Table of Contents # of Lines 1) Zhao Ziyang In Hospital With Heart Trouble ................. 67 2) China Economist Ill ........................................ 25 3) A Global Concert about Chinese Prodemocracy Movement ........ 30 4) Masses Ordered To Love The Army ............................ 74 5) Back To Business for JLG Experts ........................... 79 6) "If I Have To Go Back, I'll Feel Scared' Because Of 'Re-Educ.. 87 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Zhao Ziyang In Hospital With Heart Trouble --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hkucs!kwchan@uunet.UU.net Source: South China Morning Post, Tuseday, December 5, 1989 [From Seth Faison in Beijing] Mr Zhao Ziyang, the deposed Communist Party general Secretary who fell from power last spring, has been admitted to hospital to be treated for heart trouble, Chinese sources said yesterday. Describing his condition as "fair", the sources said Mr Zhao's sudden illness has alarmed china's top leaders, who are aware that a premature Zhao death could have potentially explosive consequences. Mr Zhao turned 70 in October. He entered hospital late last month, the sources said, but they did not know whether he had actually suffered a heart attack. The senior leader, Mr Deng Xiaoping, who groomed Mr Zhao to be his successor before ousting him in a bitter power struggle in May, has ordered priority medical treatment for Mr Zhao, on source said. The former party leader, blamed by conservatives for supporting the student-led protest movement, became the hero of many ordinary Chinese when he lost his position and opposed the decision to declare martial law. It was heart trouble that felled Mr Hu Yaobang, Mr Deng's other chosen successor, whose death in April sparked the first student demonstrations that eventually led to the Beijing massacre on June 4. Mr Zhao is not known to have a history of heart trouble. But one source said that "lack of sufficient blood supply" was the official medical reson given when Mr Zhao entered hospital on May 19, the eve of the martial law declaration in Beijing. At the time, it was widely believed that Mr Zhao had voluntarily disappeared into hospital in order to distance himself from the decision made by other leaders to order troops into the capital. Mr Zhao has not been seen in public since he appeared in Tiananmen Square before dawn on May 19 where, with tears in his eyes, he bade farewell to the students. He was formally stripped of his position, kicked out of the Politburo and removed from the Central Committee in late June at a party plenum which formally considered his lengthy self-defence. Before he fell ill, Mr Zhao's fate was sometimes described by political analysts as the issue that would define the Communist Party's outlook, hard-line or moderate. The outcome has been inconclusive. Six months after he was sacked, the leadership has been unable to agree on how to handle his case, saying that it is still being investigated. It even took until early autumn, one source said, before Mr Zhao was removed from Zhongnanhai, the compound where most of China's leaders live and work. In an odd coincidence, he was moved to the residence in Fuqiang alley where Mr Hu Yaobang lived in the late 1970s before he became party leader. Mr Zhao is said to have resisted the move. To date Mr Zhao has never conceded any wrong-doing and has vigorously denied the official charges that he "split" the party or supported the "turmoil", according to several sources. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. China Economist Ill --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hkucs!kwchan@uunet.UU.net Source: South China Morning Post, Tuseday, December 5, 1989 Veteran communist Chen Yun, the conservative economist behind China's austerity drive, is seriously ill and his death could alter Beijing's fragile balance of power, diplomats said yesterday. Informed Chinese sources said a foreign doctor had recently flown in to treat Chen who was badly ailing. But they could not confirm accounts that he was dying of leukaemia. Mr Chen ,84, is chairman of the party's Central Advisory Committee and widely recognised as the architect of an austerity program launched last year to curb inflation and cool the over-heated economy. He is famous for his concept of the "bird-cage economy" - the cage in which the economy operates can be enlarged but never removed. An outspoken opponent of Western-style reforms, Mr Chen has been at odds with the paramount leader, Mr Deng Xiaoping, 85, over economic policy but backed him in time of crisis when the army crushed mass pro-democracy protests in Beijing six months ago. [Reuter] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. A Global Concert about Chinese Prodemocracy Movement --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: TIANANMEN NOTES <IZZYR48@UCLAMVS.BITNET> Source: November 30, 1989, Los Angeles Times A global concert is in planning for early May of next year in memory of this year's prodemocracy movement in China, Tiananmen Notes has learned. The concert, called "Freedom Belongs to the People", is orginating from Los Angeles, California and Barcelona, Spain on a Saturday in May, 1990 with a finale in Hong Kong on the next day. This event will a a "live" satellite feed to over 1.5 billion people all over the world and has the support of today's top performers. To our knowledge, a seperate account is set up for donations to Chinese prodemocracy movement. All the rest of revenue goes to another account. No money will be taken from the donation account to cover expenses for the concert. And no money from ticket selling, advertising fees, or anything else will go into the donation account. Upon completion of the concert, donations will be disbursed by a board which is formed by six Chinese people and six fair-minded world citizens. There is no constrain imposed by the organizers of the concert upon the board, except the money is for Chinese prodemocracy movement. At current stage, organizers of the concert need letters of testimonial to make the concert happen. To show your support or for more information: The Freedom Task Force FAX: (818) 508-1332 Tel: (818) 508-1740 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Masses Ordered To Love The Army --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hkucs!kwchan@uunet.UU.net Source : South China Morning Post, 12/6/89 China ordered its 1.1 billion people yesterday to love the Army - six months after troops and tanks crushed pro-democracy protests in Beijing - and called for more political training in the military rank and file. The People's Daily published government instructions on how localities should lionise the "heroic" People's Liberation Army (PLA) so that the masses could learn to love them. And in contrast to earlier reports of barrack-room dissent, the New China News Agency (NCNA) said the Government has now commanded that soldiers be taught the "fine traditions of the PLA and increase their respect for the Government". The orders came from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the PLA's top political department. They said that people's love and support for the Army should be seen to blossom during Lunar New Year celebrations from the end of January, the agency said. But citizens in Beijing, many of whom mutter oaths at the mention of martial law troops that still patrol the capital, say the latest reconciliation drive will be hard to swallow. A stall owner at a free market said: "Everyone hates them. We will go along with ceremonies of loving the army only because we have to. "We have no guns. They have guns. You'd be a fool not to co-operate." On June 4, tanks and troops shot their way into Beijing to crush student- led demonstrations for more democracy. Western diplomats say hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people died. China puts the death toll at 20 civilians and scores of troops. Unconfirmed estimates say 20 to 30 soldiers have been murdered since June. The capital buzzes with stories of sniper shots after dusk and the stabbing or strangulation of soldiers in toilets and dark alleys. Reports in China's official press of dissension in Army ranks have appeared occasionally and some junior officers have described unhappiness with China's hard-line policies. The People's Liberation Army newspaper said:"A small number of our comrades are ideologically mixed up and dither their political stance because they lack the solid foundation of Marxist teachings." Some junior officers have also said they were uneasy with the growing clout of a faction aligned with the President, Mr Yang Shangkun, appointed first vice-chairman of China's Military Commission in November. The government directive published in the People's Daily said:"The military rank and file must be taught patriotism, collectivism, socialism, and self- reliance. IT recommended the resurrection of a famous Chinese propaganda icon, Lei Feng a selfless, philanthropic and probably fictional soldier who was worshipped in the days of Chairman Mao Zedong but slipped into obscurity later. Study sessions on Lei and worthy deeds would be organised during the New Year celebrations, the People's Daily said. The NCNA said:"(New Year) get-togethers of soldier and civilians will be held and delegations will be organised to show concern for martial law troops and troops on frontiers and coastal cities. "During the festival season... local governments should mobilise the people to render services to soldiers and give preferential treatment to the families of soldiers and martyrs," it said. [Reuter] [Associated Press] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Back To Business for JLG Experts --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hkucs!kwchan@uunet.UU.net Source : South China Morning Post, 12/6/89 [By Fanny Wong] Relations between Britain and China started to return to normal yesterday with the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group(JLG) resuming expert group sessions to deal with practical issues. After opening a four-day plenary meeting in the territory yesterday, experts from both sides met in the afternoon, the first such group session since Britain broke off diplomatic talks in the summer. Technical subjects such as Hongkong's future participation in international organisations and the localisation of laws were discussed. The session signalled a return to the workman-like approach which characterised the JLG before June 4, and raised hopes that progress might be made during this, the 14th round of talks. However, little headway is expected on politically sensitive issues such as China's opposition to Britain's attempts to internationalise the territory, the stationing of troops and the pace of democracy. China views the internationalisation issue as a British ploy to hold on to Hongkong sovereignty after 1997. British officials, however, are expected to tell their Chinese counterparts that China's repeated criticism of internationalisation will affect Hongkong's confidence. The left-wing Ta Kung Pao newspaper yesterday published a lengthy commentary on internationalisation, reiterating China's stand that it would not accept international political interference in Hongkong. The commentary criticised British officials for playing the "internationalisation card" since autumn and accused them of asking the United States to interfere in Hongkong's political affairs. Inviting the US to participate in Hongkong's politics was allow it to share in Hongkong's sovereignty to China as stated in the Sino-British Joint Declaration." "As long as it touches on China's sovereignty, any form of internationalisation, be it in the political, economical, cultural and educational aspects or in social activities, will be rejected by the Chinese side." By playing the "internationalisation card", Britain has stirred up the controversy on sovereignty, making the Chinese side react strongly, the commentary said. "Taking into account the future of Hongkong and the interests of Britain and other countries, playing the "internationalisation card" will not achieve any good results," it added. As the morning session opened, Chinese JLG team leader, Mr Ke Zaishuo, welcomed his British counterpart, Mr Anthony Galsworthy, as the the new British team leader. Mr Galsworthy replied he was happy that he had the opportunity to talk to old friends. Their opening remarks, veiled as comments about the weather, seemed to show that relations had begun to ease. Mr Ke described Hongkong's weather as better than it had been during the summer, a reference to stormy relations with Britain. "Hongkong's summer is very hot, November is more comfortable. i hope that after the New Year when spring comes, it should be even more comfortable." In reply, Mr Galsworthy said the current session was held at the best time of the year in Hongkong. Afterwards Mr Galsworthy described the morning session's "extremely good". Other members attending yesterday's meeting included British team members, Mr Doug Martin, Mr Alan Paul, Mr William Ehrman and Mr Zheng Wei-rong, Mr Qiao Zonghuai, Mr Wang Jiaji and Ms Zhang Youyun. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. "If I Have To Go Back, I'll Feel Scared' Because Of 'Re-Education." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "J. Ding" <IZZYQ00@UCLAMVS.BITNET> Source: Los Angeles Times (LT) - WEDNESDAY December 6, 1989 Edition: Home Edition Section: View Page: 1 Pt. E Col. 4 WORLD IN A SPIN: FOREIGN STUDENTS REFLECT ON TUMULT China: 'If I have to go back, I'll feel scared' because of 're-education.' [By: ELIZABETH LU] Wu Fang, a UCLA graduate student, had hoped to return home to China to do research on early childhood education. But the bloody crackdown in Beijing last June changed all that. "Now, absolutely, I can't go," says Wu, who has participated in pro- democracy rallies and is active in the Chinese student association on campus. Wu, 35, believes that if she goes back, she will be interrogated and perhaps even arrested for expressing her political views in this country. Even if she is spared arrest, Wu says, she is afraid of being forced to attend "re-education" meetings, which she suspects are more like brainwashing sessions. Friends in China have told her that since June, the meetings have been required for returning students. Like many of the 40,000 Chinese students in the United States, Wu is disappointed that President George Bush last week vetoed a bill that would have allowed students with J-1 visa status to stay in this country indefinitely. More than 30,000 students have such status, given to visiting scholars who receive financial aid from the Chinese government. Bush's veto means the students would be required to return to China for two years after completing their studies. Wu, who expects to receive her doctorate in two years, says, "If I have to go back, I'll feel scared." Other students echo her fears that going back will be unbearable. "Your mind will be tortured because you will have to say things that go against your conscience," says Ding Jian, 24, a UCLA library science graduate student. Because returning students will be barred from speaking freely, they won't be able to share their ideas about freedom and democracy, he says. Among those who would be sent back is Xu Youyu, 28, a UCLA mathematics major. Xu says the two-year return requirement has discouraged students 3rom participating in pro-democracy activities here. "There have been some who feel intimidated," he says, referring to a Nov. 26 rally near Westwood. More than 200 Chinese students from local schools attended, but countless others stayed home because they feared government retribution if they are eventually sent back to China, he says. Now, after Bush's veto, the students feel even more vulnerable, Xu says. "They feel sold out," he says. As an alternative to signing the bill, Bush has proposed administrative measures he says would offer the same protection. But Xu, who notes that such measures do not have the force of law and can be revoked at any time, says Chinese students are not assured. "We don't think it's an acceptable compromise," he says. In China, government rhetoric after the crackdown has been reminiscent of that during the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s, when thousands were persecuted for activities judged counter-revolutionary, Wu says. The Chinese government's retaliation could extend to a returning student's family, Wu says. Relatives might be denied the chance to take college entrance examinations or be passed over for job promotions, she says. The Chinese describe the harassment as "wearing little glass shoes," Wu says. The targeted person appears to be living and working freely, but the government pressure is always there, making life as uncomfortable as wearing shoes that pinch, she says. "Other people can't see it," Wu says of the subtle acts of retaliation. "Only you can feel it." Despite Bush's veto, Chinese students say they are not defeated yet. "We hope Congress will correct this mistake," says Xu, who is optimistic that when legislators reconvene in January, they will override the President's veto. Otherwise, Ding says, Chinese students will have to live with an ominous message from the Chinese government: "You will be coming home sooner or later. You better be careful." CAPTION: Photo: Chinese students, from left, Sen Qi, Chun Shen, Wu Fang, Hui Feng, Songren Cui and Ding Jian. ROSEMARY KAUL / Los Angeles Times +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Executive Editor: Yaxiong Lin E_mail: aoyxl@asuacvax.bitnet | +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor's note: Thank you for your concern and reading News Digest. To keep more of concerned people informed of China, you are kindly asked to help introduce the News Digest to more of your close friends. Have a very nice weekend! Best regards -- Bo Chi, on behalf of NDCanada. ========================================================================== News Transmission chi@vlsi.uwaterloo.ca (or) -------------------- --------------------- Local Editor: Bo Chi chi@vlsi.waterloo.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fri Dec 8 10:31:54 EST 1989