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Fri, Feb 21, 1997
Politics as Usual
stories about Jiang Zemin, calls for unity, and China's foreign relations
Jiang Zemin: the Chinese leadership is closing ranks in the wake of Deng's death, reports Inside China. Although the leadership may be 'steady for now', the paper writes, a power struggle could likely ensue.
We may expect more stories for the next few days, if not weeks, about Deng's death. 'People grieve loss of Deng'. is the headline from the leading story of mainland China's official English-language China Daily. Designed to demonstrate the unity of the nation in a period of transition, the story makes its point in some interesting ways:
1. the announcement of Deng's death was jointly issued by the main organs of government, including 'the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission', reported the paper.
2. the announcement was specifically made to the entire army and numerous ethnic groups. 'People of various ethnic groups across the country vowed to turn grief into strength, carry on Deng's unfinished cause, and work hard for the great undertaking of reform and the opening-and-modernization drive under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Jiang Zemin at the core', said the paper.
3. 'The Supreme People's Court issued a circular calling for strict law enforcement and safeguarding social stability', said the paper.
4. The various labour unions, which are essentially organs of the government, and officials from the offices responsible for relations with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao also 'expressed their sorrow'.
5. 'In Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, people of different ethnic groups gathered to remember Deng's accomplishments', wrote the paper. Indeed, a local official in Northern-most Xinjiang Province said, "We Kazakh people will remember in our hearts his great contribution." This quotation is particularly interesting in light of riots and violence in that region in recent weeks. [See related stories below pertaining to Ethnic problems]
People Urged to Rally for Party is a short piece highlighting the Chinese government's call for unity behind the leadership of Jiang Zemin and the Communist Party.
United States: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will shorten her visit to China by one day because of Deng's scheduled funeral on Tuesday of next week. The Chinese government has requested that foreign governments not send delegations to the funeral.
Deng Xiaoping: a glimpse into the lives of Deng's family is offered by the New York Times.
Burma: the New Light of Myanmar has announcements of official visits from Chinese religious and trade organizations. Such delegations have increased in frequency in recent years, as mainland China has sought closer relations with its southern neighbour. They have served the Chinese side in building trading relationships with partners in the Buddhist nation. In return Burma also receives extensive military and economic aid, as well as political 'friendship' despite its rather ugly and violent methods for dealing with vexing 'internal problems.'
Indonesia: Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian is in Indonesia as part of a process to build better relations with that country and ASEAN. Chi will cut his visit short by one day to attend Deng's funeral on Tuesday.