Deng Political Developments in China

Introduction Power struggle continuing between Leftists and Rightists Deng and supporters consolidate in 1981 – Felt party had been damaged by Cultural Revolution and Gang of Four Consistent desire to uphold one-party system – Repressive, rather than liberal – Best illustrated by Tiananmen Square

Democracy Wall, More open approach with Hua, many brought back from countryside Students put up big character posters calling for liberalization – One in Beijing known as Democracy Wall – Began to express views on past events Openly critical of Gang of Four and sometimes Mao – Deng encourages them, helps against Left – Some supported him and Four Mod, criticized Hua – Posters called protests revolutionary, not counter-

Democracy Wall, Dec. 1978, word had spread throughout China and the world Some posters began to criticize Deng, Democracy Movement begins – Pamphlets, criticism of the party and socialism – Appeals to Carter, recognition of human rights abuses Step too far for Deng, who did not support democracy Large numbers arrive from the countryside, organize in Tiananmen Square – Now criticizing recent past, Four Modernizations – Sought Fifth Modernization, political democracy

The Fifth Modernization Most famous of pro-democracy pamphlets, Wei Jingsheng – Intellectuals saw economic reform as opportunity to change political system – Wei openly critical of Deng, fascist dictator Arrested, 15 years, first martyr of Democracy Movement Deng claims demands for reform are ‘bourgeois liberalism’ Mar. 1979, Deng speech in favor of ‘Four Cardinal Principles’ – Socialist Road – Dictatorship of the Proletariat – Leadership of the Communist Party – Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought

The Fifth Modernization By the end of 1979, Deng’s position is strong, closes the Wall – Began to arrest and detain the Democracy Movement, 100,000 ‘Four Big Rights’ abolished in Feb – Speak out freely – Air views fully – Hold great debates – Write big character posters Clear warning to post-Maoist China that criticism would not be tolerated Ran pro-democracy groups underground, but stayed in contact with one another

Reform of the CCP Only real reform Deng favored was of CCP – Had been damaged since 1967 – Must restore credibility – Would not target anyone if party was accepted Deng saw advantages in breaking party from government – Capitalist features, authoritarian rule, the new Chinese socialism – Approved at Third Plenum in Sept Many party officials older and poorly educated – 1982, begins retirement campaigns Many promoted to Central Advisory Commission, old positions filled by younger members – Between , also purged 150,000 for bribery and corruption – Became younger, better qualifications – Removed those less enthusiastic about his economic reforms

Inner-Party Divisions 1982, Deng has full control over government and party – Never held premier, chairman, or GS – Chaired important committees to place supporters in these positions Hu Yaobang, GS of the CCP and Zhao Ziyang, premier Hu favored democratic approach to dissent – Announced rehabilitation of intellectuals, backing reform newspapers Zhao supported political freedom as well, has been removed during CR – Did introduce market reforms/open door, got him into Politburo, position as premier Deng not progressive at all, politics less important than economics

Renewal of Student Activism, Reagan visit in 1984, made two speeches referencing freedom and trust Resurrection of pro-democracy groups May 1985, student demonstration for reform May 1986, Deng ends repressive period, encouraged ideological flexibility – Wang Ruoshui, activist, returns from dismissal, stressed humanitarian strands Nov. 1986, changes to local elections – Further student demonstrations, supported by Professor Fang Lizhi, said socialism had failed

Renewal of Student Activism, Dec. 1986, demonstrations for further electoral changes – Deng worried that some workers were being attracted as well, spread to Beijing – Concerns about slow job markets, slow of the economy in the 1980s Deng condemned the protests finally in Jan. 1987, dismissing them as anti-socials – Dismissed Fang, critical journalists removed – Intellectuals continued to speak out, Hu encouraging them Main ringleaders were arrested – Third witch hunt in 1987, had been in 80 and 83 as well

Fall of Hu Deng needed a new purge, prominent target Hu Yaobang – Had been critical, aligned with students, dismissed as GS – Forced to admit he had made ‘serious mistakes’, dismissed from Politburo Zhao Ziyang takes over GS, Li Peng takes over premier Deng older, resigns from Politburo, forced other elder members to do the same – Remains chair of Military Affairs and ‘paramount leader’ – Part of the ‘Gang of Old’, continued to exert influence, still thought CCP was essential

Continuing Unrest 1987 events gave a clear signal of government attitude – Demonstrations still continued against poor living conditions – 1988, student petition, protests across China, serious Deng worried, feared another power struggle with remaining Maoists Ultimate showdown with democracy activists inevitable

Impact of Deng’s Economic Reforms Deng had implemented less state enterprise Mid-80s, commune system dismantled 1985, grain production had dropped as peasants decided to grow higher-paying crops Workers lost food coupons, free health care, free education Pressure of inflation, higher food prices All reduced real value of wages Government adopted austerity measures, large numbers forced into cities – Crime became popular again

Impact of Deng’s Economic Reforms By 1989, Deng’s popularity low Produced divisions in the CCP Deng now squaring off with Chen Yun, old-style economic planner – No intention of reversing economic policies Social impact of these policies was felt – 1988, economy out of control – Increasing amount of workers’ strikes and slow-downs – Farmers found it difficult to buy fertilizers, jobs in rural areas lost – Renewed student activism and character posters back illegally in 88-89

Neo-Authoritarianism Sent Chinese police abroad to learn about riot control Worked out ideological backing for Deng’s program of economy and CCP government – Necessary to ‘tame the masses’ Showed how much political debate had changed from 1978 when Deng re-emerged

Democracy Salons 1988, Marxists or intellectuals previously dismissed held informal lectures in Beijing Dec. 1988, Su Shaozhi, prominent intellectual, called for open debate Jan. 1989, Feng wrote an Open Letter to Deng, calling for the release of Wei Jingsheng and all political prisoners Democracy salons turned into regular demonstrations

Death of Hu Things moved faster with Hu Yaobang’s unexpected death, Apr – Renewed dissent, several marches held to mourn him – Speeches covering a range of issues, students staged sit-in demanding to be heard – Tried to break into Old Forbidden City, home to older CCP leaders – Numbers in Tiananmen Square grew – Government issued a ban on them, ignored, joined by workers

The People’s Daily Editorial, Apr. 26 Student leaders announced the formation of the ‘Autonomous Federation’ to co-ordinate activities Deng increasingly annoyed, wrote an editorial condemning the protesters, called them ‘plotters’ aiming to cause chaos Made students more unified and determined, fear of repression growing as well

The ‘Beijing Spring’ Apr. 27, 100,000 students took to the streets, marched on Tiananmen Square Split in CCP over the next course Zhao has links to pro-democracy groups, collision course with Deng

Tiananmen Square, May-June 89 Zhao tried to appease protestors by opening a dialogue, he was the minority – Anniversary of the May 4 th Movement in 1919, characterized the students’ demands as reasonable Student leaders no longer prepared to co-operate at all, strong rally with 300,000 in Tiananmen Square Deng still rescued any compromise, had support of the PLA 300-strong hunder strike, government made contact, worried that Gorbachev is visiting the next day

Gorbachev’s Impact Many Chinese influenced by perestroika and glasnost – Reforms in satellite states encouraging Students emboldened by international TV crews, problems becoming known worldwide – Thought his arrival would mean less repression May 17, 1 million protestors in Tiananmen now calling for Deng’s resignation – Forced Gorbachev’s to abandon part of his schedule, kept him indoors Right hardliners calling for Deng to take swift measures May 18, Politburo declares martial law, only Zhao voted against Deng here – Zhao makes a speech apologizing for the Politburo

Martial Law May 19, Li Peng broadcasted speech explaining martial law to deal with ‘rioters’ PLA took up positions in Beijing, many sympathetic, did not enforce laws May 23, over 1 million people gathered, constructed barricades to prevent military action Democracy Movement spread further PLA generals appealed to Deng, reminded him it was the peoples’ army Deng unsure, hoping they will disperse Students then joined further by workers, Deng’s concerns increased Soldiers confused, withdraw Protestors build ‘Goddess of Democracy and Spirit of Liberty’ statue

Repression Deng and Li decided to take action May 29, workers’ leaders arrested Politically reliable troops sent into Beijing – Democracy Movement began to crumble, large-scale demonstrations ceased, down to 5,000 – Protests moved to workers’ districts, but no real alliance here with intellectuals June 3, violence, trying to prevent soldiers from reaching Tiananmen Square – Out of sight where most casualties occurred – Deng orders army to take all measures In full view of cameras, June 4, hundreds killed in the square, but that afternoon, six-week occupation was over Unconfirmed casualties, fewer than 300 soldiers June 9, Deng says army had suppressed counter-revolutionary rebellion 40,000 arrested in June and July, leaders escaped abroad

Aftermath Most democratic Western states made little official reference to the repression – West wants to get involved in Chinese economy – Foreign investment and cultural exchanges only briefly suspended – Some democratic organizations advocate Why did the Democracy Movement fail? – Too many objectives, too little unification in groups, difficult to negotiate with – Some wanted the violent confrontation, made it easier for Deng to convince others he was right

Aftermath June 24, Zhao dismissed as GS of the CCP, replaced by Deng’s guy Jiang Zemin Increased criticism of Deng and his reforms – Resigned as chair of Central Military Commission – Continued to have huge influence on Chinese politics behind the scene until death in 1997 Showed clear direction of China – Four modernizations, not five – China becomes more repressive after 1989 than it had been throughout 1980s

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