| Current edition | Previous edition | News Index | Contents | |
| Current edition | Previous edition | News Index | Contents |
Wed, Feb 19, 1997
Deng Xiaoping Dies at 92
news stories probe his legacy and significance to modern China
Deng Xiaoping: we have a couple more links on the Deng story. This evening's News Hour on PBS devoted 20 minutes to the story. Four guests spoke: Michel Oksenberg of the Asia Pacific Research Center at Stanford University and noted scholar on modern China; Arthur Hummel, former U.S. ambassador to China and foreign service officer; Pei Minxin, a political science professor at Princeton University; and Jim Hoagland, columnist and associate editor of the Washington Post. The News Hour had a background file on Deng's life. And a RealAudio file of the entire conversation and background piece can be heard, as well."Deng Xiaoping, Architect of Modern China, Dies at 92" is the headline at the New York Times.
Jiang Zemin: Nicholas Kristof has a well-written and thoughtful piece on Jiang Zemin, his background and his place in recent Chinese politics. This story should be read.
A CNN piece describes Jiang as a 'tenacious' politician with little ideology and no agenda. It is also noted that unlike most senior politicians in China, Jiang has never served in the military, although the story does not note that he has successfully reshuffled the military ranks in his favour. The story does note that Li Peng and Qiao Shi are themselves also technocrats who lack strong ties to the military.
A news analysis by Patrick Tyler says that Deng provided a stabilizing force in a political system rife with factions. Having been given the 'Mandate of Heaven', says Tyler, it is unclear whether Jiang will be able to maintain his power in the absence of his most powerful backer, Deng Xiaoping.
Deng Xiaoping: CNN has a story, and excerpted audio files of the official pronouncement (in English) can also be heard there; it is interesting to note that CNN does not broadcast the entire message, cutting short of the 'communist' language used to describe Deng. Many of the major on-line news organizations have not added the story to their pages, but the South China Morning Post has expansive coverage of his death and its implications for China. Other stories include:
"Master strategist who changed the course of modern China" provides an overview of his life .
Historical perspective is also offered here.
Analysts disagree on the future for political change within China, now that the last 'emperor-like' figure has passed from the scene.
Then, there is a story on the 'economic legacy' of Deng.
China's thriving stock markets are viewed as the product of Deng's thinking: to use capitalist tools for 'broader' goals.Announcement of his death came after yesterday's statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry that there had been no 'major change' in Deng's health. Also in the same story is a clarification by the U.S. State Department, that they have no independent information about the situation.
Taiwan: across the strait, Taiwan watches closely for changes in Deng's health.
Ethnic problems: the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that calm has returned to the northern Xinjiang town of Yining where, according to authorities, nine people were killed and nearly 200 injured in rioting on Feb. 5-6 The Ministry said that a small group of 'thugs' had instigated the riots. A short distance across the border in Kazakhstan, however, exiled Uighur nationalists said that the riots erupted after China executed 30 Uighur earlier this month. 'Chinese officials dismissed the allegation'.
Analysis: Inside China comments on a People's Daily lead story, entitled "Soldiers of All Xinjiang Nationalities Cooperate for Ethnic Harmony".
Taiwan: President Lee met today with a US Congressman, and the two discussed a wide range of issues.
United States: The U.S. State Department publishes background information on China. Such information may be useful for those preparing for a trip or business there.
Information resources: The PRS Online page has a wealth of current statistics available for China, but unfortunately there's a price for access.