Prescribed Subject 3 Communism in Crisis 1976 1989

Prescribed Subject 3: Communism in Crisis 1976 -1989 Area 3: China under Deng Xiaoping: political changes 1979– 89

Hu Yaobang v Two days after Hu Yaobang’s death in April 1989, thousands of students from Beijing universities marched to Tianamen Square and laid wreaths at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in honor of the former CCP Secretary-General who had been forced to resign his post in January 1987.

Zhao Ziyang v Communist Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang urging students in Tianamen Square to end their hunger strick. Later he would tearfully admit, ” I came too late, ” but he assured them that “The problems that you have raised will eventually be resolved. ” v They weren’t resolved. Zhao Ziyang would be purged by the hardliners in the Politburo

Political Changes v Economic Reform brought demands for Political Reforms – – 1978 on 1000’s sent abroad to college “Centers of Excellence” got the best teachers, facilities, students Return of merit based exams Cultural Revolution Victims are Rehabilitated • Both the dead (Liu) and the living found not guilty • 110, 000 released • Qingming Demonstrations 1976 are legitimate and revolutionary

Democracy Wall Nov. 1978 to March 1979 v v v Underground movement appears on a 200 -metre long brick wall along next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing Magazines as well Many posters criticized Mao/Cultural Revolution – Demand punishment – Deng tolerates it as most is aimed at the left v Crisis emerges – most memorable poster was simply entitled ‘Democracy – the Fifth Modernization’ – message of the poster was that the Four Modernizations were only worthwhile if proper democratic reforms were introduced at the same time – democracy was a universal right and that the CCP should not deny this right to the people.

Democracy Wall Nov. 1978 to March 1979 v The poster was the creation of a former Red Guard, Wei Jingsheng an electrician at Beijing Zoo. v instant media sensation world-wide thanks to the many western journalists frequenting the Democracy Wall and the growing numbers of people posting items v Deng’s attitude towards the so-called Democracy Wall was ambivalent v consented to the Wall for Red Guards to post their opinions, as a way of criticizing the Cultural Revolution and the Gang of Four, but it soon became more than this. v On the one hand, protesters like Wei were supportive of Deng’s efforts to modernize China economically v On the other hand, demands for democracy were far too radical for Deng Wei and others arrested in Feb. 1979 and sentenced to 15 years – Released 1993 Arrested again in 1995 14 year sentence and exiled 1997 v v

The ‘Four Cardinal Principles’ v v In 1979 Deng laid down the four cardinal principles of PRC political life. These were: • socialist road • the Peoples democratic dictatorship of the proletariat • the political leadership of the CCP • Marxism– Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. – – Argued that key elements of Marxist political thought should not be challenged under any circumstances Deng trying to impose economic reform while legitimizing Mao as an important party leader Although Deng convinced many in the CCP, many citizens were not persuaded People like Wei objected that the four cardinal principles prevented democratic change.

The ‘Four Cardinal Principles’ v v v Deng wants reform of CCP not an end to one party system Does reassure the people v No harassment of “revisionists” who accept Party authority v The Democracy Wall was pulled down in December v This crackdown occurred only three months after Deng had said that some criticism was allowed and it effectively quelled pro-democratic protests v Deng made it clear he supported economic liberalization v He also intended for the CCP to continue PRC dictatorship v Any hopes for democratic reform were ended for the time being. 1981 6 th Plenum reassess Mao a great leader right 70% of the time but did make serious mistakes Cultural Revolution Condemned but Maoist thought is still valid

Reformers v. Conservatives Appoints Zhao Ziyang and Hu Yaobang to implement modest reforms v Both men were far more critical of Marxism than Deng had ever been v Zhao considers privatizing SOE’s v Says socialism has failed to deliver on the economy v Most Mao portraits removed (Cult of Mao discouraged) v Fixed terms of office v Premier and Party Chairman maximum 2 five year terms v Zhou wants to separate Party and State v Party sets priorities, state executes policies v National People’s Congress strengthened and can modify legislation not just approve it v 1980 Local Peoples Congresses have multi-candidate elections v Ends when delegates critical of Gov’t elected v

Reformers v. Conservatives v v Limitations v 1980, the so-called ‘four freedoms’ of the PRC’s constitution were removed v had guaranteed certain rights such as freedom of assembly, protest, expression and to go on strike v Deng was not prepared to allow Zhao and Hu to transform PRC politics Rise of Student Movement v v v Reagan urcges democracy during 1984 visit, demonstrations force Marcos (Philippine Dictator) out in 1986, and force free elections in Taiwan January 1987 Hu Yaobang forced out v Dec. 1986 -Jan. 1987 Pro-democracy student demonstrations in 15 cities v Professor Fang Lizhi is a leader (world famous Physicist purged during 100 Flowers Spreads to Wuhan, Shanghai, Hefei, Beijing

Reformers v. Conservatives v Protests triggered by alleged manipulation of elections to the People’s Congresses v poor boarding conditions for students v Began as a gathering to commemorate an official student event in 1935 v became a protest lasting for several hours v postponed the People’s Congress elections v Since the protests were not crushed, they quickly spread to Shanghai, Wuhan and Beijing, v soon pro-democratic banners were displayed, Beijing, 4000 students marched on Tiananmen Square and publicly burned copies of communist newspapers v Shanghai, 30, 000 students marched through the centre of the city carrying prodemocracy banners Cautious Response, but Deng eventually sides with hardliners, Modest # of arrests, Fang fired, banned from teaching Hu Yaobang fired for “tendency towards complete Westernization’ v v v

Reformers v. Conservatives v v Conservatives dislike Hu and Zhao fails to support him Zhoa made Chairman and Li Peng, conservative is made P. M. a new Central Advisory Commission for the oldest generation of party leaders, was created v acted as a ‘solidly anti-progressive bloc v Deng Resigns in 1987 but Zhao has to clear decisions with him Foreign Policy Changes v v US cuts aid to Taiwan, Deng promises no force and Taiwanese autonomy if they reunite with PRC Normalize relations with US (not allies but both view USSR as main threat): 1970’s US high tech to PRC USSR: tension over Vietnam invasion 1979 not resolved until Gorbachev in 1986 Hong Kong to return to PRC in 1997 but as a Special Administrative Region with autonomy and separate economy (one country– two systems policy)

Toward Tiananmen Square v WHY? v v Gorbachev reforms in USSR encouraged Chinese Reformers Key issues were: v Frustration over lack of political reforms v Fear that student grants will be devoured by inflation (Only 5% can get into fiercely competitive college system) v Jobs no longer guaranteed with economic change v Economic slump hurts employment v Corruption : Ex: Hainan Island smuggles cars and luxuries and resells them (Also Deng’s son’s company closed down) v Farmers resent favoritism for SEZ’s v Writers and artists write about abuse of the CR v One Child policy deeply unpopular

Toward Tiananmen Square v Trigger of Tiananmen Square protest is death of Hu Yaobang 1979 v Portrayed as democratic martyr although he never was a true democrat v April 15 th small demonstrations like Zhou Enlai’s daeth v. G 4 v Grow Rapidly and 10, 000 by 17 th chanting democracy slogans v 7 Demands follow v v v v Exonerate Hu Yaobang Free speech Publish income of party leaders Control inflation Amnesty for protestors Publish reports of the demonstrations Negotiate with the students 20 th 400 arrested but spreads to Shanghai, Nanjing (Down with Deng poster in Changsha)

Toward Tiananmen Square v Other groups like Beijing Workers Autonomous Federation join in v v v v v Blame corrupt CCP for problems At Hu’s funeral 10’s of thousands chant “dialogue, dialogue” Zhao leaves to vist N. Korea and hardliners dominate P-buro discussions Li Peng goes to Deng’s house and Deng declares protests an organized anti- socialist plot (Clearly sides with hard liners) Students demand end of one party monopoly, more money for education and no violence Deng orders People’s Daily to condemn movement and Zhao telegram concurs Zhao returns but can’t stop protest march Li Peng wants force, Zhao argues for modest reforms (major clash) 4 May Fang writes Deng demands release of political prisoners like Wei Jingsheng

Toward Tiananmen Square v v v v v May 4 150, 000 in square Zhao promises peaceful resolution (50 cities also rally using faxes to coordinate) 2 nd Week of May hunger strike of 300 (eventually grows to 1000) Gorbachev arrives May 15 and signs saying Zhao is China’s Gorbachev appear Gov’t fears a Solidarity (Poland) type outcome 2 nd Meeting at Deng’s house and he wants martial law to avoid chaos Zhao opposes this but is isolated and powerless May 18: 1 mi. In Tiananmen Square Li Peng gives stern lecture Student leaders are divided as some believe no assault will occur others feel it is time to back off Bring in 350, 000 troops from remote provinces

Toward Tiananmen Square – Failure of May 19 • Local population blocks the streets of Beijing (2 mi. estimate) • Gov’t is humiliated • May 20 Martial law declared, May 21 Zhao fired and replaced by Jiang Zemin • Protestors erect 40 ft. Goddess of Democracy statue May 30 • Poster says “it doesn’t matter if a cat is white or black as long as it resigns”

Toward Tiananmen Square – – – Massacre of June 3 -4 Li Peng and Deng have not given up after May 19 June most students leave due to heat and sanitation problems • – Fear spread of disease June 3 200, 000 PLA occupy Beijing • Fire on remaining protestors (Tanks v. molotov cocktails) • Most fighting is in Western suburbs and 1 mi. defy orders to stay inside • 1000 -2000 dead • Most victims are workers not students • Hunt down 4000 leaders and 29 executed, Fang flees to US embassy (leaves in 1990) • Jiang Zemin given party chairman and military because he cotrolled Shanghai protests without PLA (Li Peng and Zhao both blamed)

Toward Tiananmen Square – – – Martial law til Jan 1990 International condemnation Trade sanctions v. China (quickly abandoned however) Deng fights off conservative efforts to end SEZ’s Focuses on convincing unhappy youth to be proud of PRC’s achievements as a Communist Country