The Internal Publication "Reference News" (Cankao Xiaoixi 参考消息)
Reports mentioning the Democracy Movement (in Chinese)
(Original texts of "Reference News" cited from the website http://www.laoziliao.net/ckxx/ that does not provide facsimiles but transcripts)
The analysis of how the "Reference News" (Cankao Xiaoxi) reported on the activities of the "Beijing Spring" is based on a study by the Australian sinologist and political scientist Andrew Chubb (University of Western Australia, Perth). Special thanks to him for allowing this website to use his material and some of his translations.
- Front page of Dec. 17, 1978, citing international news reports on the announcement of official diplomatic relations between China and the US
Only those parts of the "Reference News" reports are translated into English that relate to the Democracy Movement (marked in yellow in the Chinese texts), containing key words such as "dazibao" or "democracy wall". The English translations follow the Chinese wording (and not necessarily the original text in foreign languages). It can be noted that "Reference News" has substantially shortened and adapted original texts to Chinese "official" views and propaganda goals. Nevertheless these reports from international media give some insight to the readers into the contents of dazibao and the activities of the Democracy Movement.
"Reference News", Oct. 17, 1978
Editorial by the US newspaper "Baltimore Sun" on Oct. 13: "China Steps Into the World"
... Edward Wu from this newspaper's Hong Kong bureau saw dazibaos bitterly denouncing unfair treatment that occurred during the Cultural Revolution, and which has still not been resolved in a just manner. Nowadays the People's Daily is also reporting such incidents. One has to say that the People's Daily today is a leading newspaper world-wide in exposing such things. It has extensively reported human rights abuses against dissidents, the suppression of ethnic minorities and the maltreatment of educated people. All this has of course happened under the Gang of Four and disappeared by now. Its biggest news was that the deceased Zhou Enlai has warned 29 years ago that people should not worship Chairman Mao like a "god". ...
"Reference News", Oct. 18, 1978, p.1
Kyodo News, Beijing. Nov. 16 (Reporter: Henmi): Welcoming the Beijing Municipal Committee's wise decision. After the official announcement that the Tiananmen Incident was now considered a "revolutionary movement", big-character posters appeared in Beijing's main Chang'an thoroughfare, with celebratory slogans: "Long live the great Tiananmen revolutionary masses," full of joy.
Tong Huaizhou of the Beijing No. 2 Foreign Languages Institute which surreptitiously edited and published "The Tiananmen Poems", immediately pasted up a dazibao eulogizing the wise decision of the Beijing Municipal Committee under the new leadership of Lin Hujia. It said, "This decision shows that the struggle to expose the Gang of Four has entered a new phase." But the dazibao called for continued struggle, saying: "Although honor has been restored to the name of the Tiananmen Incident, the struggle is absolutely not finished. We must gather closely around the Party Central Committee under Chairman Hua, to launch even fiercer attacks on the clique of the Gang of Four."
Jiji Press, Tokyo, Nov. 16: Welcoming banners in front of Tiananmen
News from Beijing: In the early evening of the 16, two large banners welcoming the rehabilitation of the "Tiananmen Incident" were pasted in front of the Tiananmen.
The two banners read "Heartly welcome the exoneration and rehabilitation of the Tiananmen Incident!", "May the great spirit of April Fifth (referring to the date when the Tiananmen Incident occurred) shine forever!" They are all signed by Tong Huaizhou. Tong Huaizhou is the name of the author of an underground print of a collection of "Tiananmen Poems" that will be published in mid-December. It is the pseudonym for the Chinese Language teaching and research section of the Beijing No. 2 Foreign Languages Institute.
Reference News, Nov. 29, 1978
Jiji Press Report: Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping talks to Sasaki
Jiji Press, Tokyo, Nov. 16: There is no need for a new decision on the Tiananmen Incident - the main points of Vice Chairman Deng Xiaoping's remarks
Beijing, 26th: The Party's Vice Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Deng Xiaoping made the following main remarks during his meeting with the second Democratic Socialist Party's delegation to China:
...
9. During the Cultural Revolution, there were people who suffered from unjustice, ill-treatment and persecution. The present big-character posters therefore naturally also contain incorrect statements. Now the dazibaos are all about the Tiananmen Incident, the Party's center can easily declare their position on them. But there is no need to publish it in the newspapers. What I am saying now, follows a decision by the Central Committee. It is not my personal opinion, but a collective opinion.
10. The Party Central Committe does not suppress or contradict people that express opinions or their right to post dazibaos. Sometimes it is still necessary to use this method to incite a people's movement. Because of the dazibaos, foreigners are getting nervous, but we are sitting firmly in place.
11. A large majority of the people who have gone through the Cultural Revolution know how to distinguish between right an wrong. The masses will not agree with raising Chairman Mao's name on posters. Our leadership organs are certainly opposing this, I do not agree either. But we cannot suppress the desire of the people to speak out.
12. The posting of dazibaos has created doubts, making some think that China's situation might be problematic. But it is the contrary, it is very normal. When things are explained, people can understand. The question is how to guide them well. This problem will be resolved shortly. When their minds are clear, they will not post dazibaos any more. So this is a temporary problem. ...
15. After the Gang of Four had been crushed, people were happy. More than 99 percent want stability and unity. Maybe there are also some bad persons who joined those who write dazibaos, but the large majority are good people. ...
Jiji Press, Tokio, Nov. 26: Vice Chairman Deng Xiaoping is telling Committee Chairman Sasaki that in the question of the "two decisions" the Chairmen Mao and Hua bear no responsibility
Beijing, 26th: ...
Vice Chairman Deng also spoke about the the recent decision by the Beijing Municipal Committee on restoring the reputation of the Tiananmen Incident and on the issue of big-character posters, which means that, using the meeting with the DSP delegation to China, he tried to explain the basic positions of the Central Committee and the government.
Foreign agencies comment: Vice Chairman Deng Xiaoping's statement while meeting American and Japanese friends / Jiji Press comment: "Stability and Unity Is Most Important for China Now"
Jiji Press, Tokyo, Nov. 26: "Stability and Unity Is Most Important for China Now"
Beijing, 26th: How do the Chinese top leaders want to handle now the issue of actions like putting up big-character posters that demand to restore the reputation of the Tiananmen Incident? The doubts people had on this question, have already been basically dispelled by the statement of Vice Chairman Deng Xiaoping on the 26th. ...
Associated Press, Nov. 27 (Report by John Roderick) Xinhua has reported today in exceptional detail on the talks of yesterday's meeting of Deng Xiaoping with Chairman Sasaki of Japan's Democratic Socialist Party: ...
A brief news item that was sent out by the Xinhua Agency yesterday, said that Deng had stated in a meeting with the US columnist Robert Novak that every Chinese knows that without Mao Zedong "there would be no new China."
He also said that in the process of the Four Modernizations, "on must be good at completely and correctly mastering and applying Mao Zedong Thought." ...
Deng pronounced that putting up big-character posters should not be forbidden, as it conformed to the rights stipulated by the constitution, "when people are angry, they should be allowed to let off steam." He added that the opinions of the masses were not necessarily all well-considered.
He said "this is nothing to be afraid of", adding that people are very capable of distinguishing right from wrong. People wanted stability and unity.
Reference News, Nov. 30, 1978
A Reuters correspondent in Beijing is quoting a diplomatic observer who points out: The modernization of China needs a high degree of internal stability and unity
Reuters, Beijing, Nov. 28 (Report by Ian MacKenzie) ...
Chinese newspapers reported today on the conversations of Mr. Deng during the meetings of the last two days with a Japanese politician and a US newspaper columnist. In the talks Deng has strongly emphasized the internal unity among party and state leaders. He also expressed his acceptance of the big-character posters movement that has already been going on for ten days. Even so, he said, "the people's comments are not necessarily all well-thought-out, neither is it possible that all the demands were correct."
He added: "This is nothing to be afraid of."
Today actually is the first time in more than a week, that no controversial posters have appeared on the "Democracy Wall" at Chang'an Avenue. ...
US newspaper's special feature: "USA Worried that an Unstable Situation Might Occur Again in China"
(Own report) The US paper "New York Times" published on November 18 a special feature entitled "USA Worried that an Unstable Situation Might Occur Again in China, Closely Watching the Current Ssituation", here some translated excerpts:
An official of the Carter administration said today that they were closely watching the political disturbances in China, as they were worried that these might cause again an unstable period there.
But the official noted on the recent situation, including the new wave of posting dazibaos in Beijing, that they had not received any intelligence reports that went beyond the information in the press. ...
Reference News, Dec. 1, 1978
Jiji Press report: Main points from Vice Premier Deng's talk with Takeiri
Jiji Press, Tokyo, Nov. 29, Main points of Deng's talk
Main points in Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping's remarks to Komeito's delegation to China: US-China relations. ...
4. Parts of the dazibaos are not good, as they do not have the overall picture in mind. But writing big-character posters and making speeches are both rights protected by the constitution. They are good as they show the active minds of the people. If something is really inappropriate, it can be made clear through explanation. And if an individual person is still unhappy, this does not harm the overall picture. ...
US columnists Evans and Novak report: "Meeting China's Deng Xiaoping"
(Own report) The US "Washington Post" on November 28, printed a report from Beijing by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak, headlined "Meeting China's Deng Xiaoping", here some translated excerpts:
Deng Xiaoping, the most powerful figure of today's Communist China, heartily endorsed the free speech on the posters appearing on Beijing's streets, even though he does not agree with some of their viewpoints. He also thinks that this is reviving the ways of the short-lived movement "Let Hundred Flowers Blossom" twenty years ago. ...
This is the first time Deng has spoken with journalists since the poster campaign broke out on November 22. He expressed his endorsement without being asked. He said there was nothing to fear in this, if the masses have opinions, let them speak out. Answering to a question he said, this was a return to the Hundred Flowers campaign initiated by Mao in 1957. That campaign ended in the suppression of dissident opinions.
Deng pointed out to us the limits that Mao had set (in the words of a translator, the distinction between poisonous weeds and fragrant flowers). But it was remarkable that Deng did not ask to suppress inappropriate posters. He disagreed though with a long poster that had been put up near the Mao Mausoleum saying Mao was at 70 percent right and 30 percent wrong. Deng contested this, saying 70 percent of successes was too low. ...
Deng said, although the opinions expressed in dazibaos were basically correct, the masses maybe were not aware of the whole situation, so they were not necessarily completely correct. ...
Deng stressed that he hoped that political turmoil would not happen again, as China has suffered in the past from such political turmoil during the 29 years since the establishment of communist power. He stressed the need for stability instead of purges and power struggles. ...
Agence France Press, Beijing, Nov. 27 (Reporter: Georges Biannic) When Deng Xiaoping met the "Washington Post" special correspondent and columnist Robert Novak, he defended the deceased Chairman Mao Zedong saying that without Chairman Mao "there would be no new China."
The Vice Premier also hinted that Peng Dehuai, the former Minister of Defence, would be rehabilitated. The Vice Premier expressed his approval of dazibao currently posted by people at Tiananmen Square and Changan Avenue and of various demands raised during this movement. Some opinions though were not correct, especially the view that Chairman Mao was 70 percent right and 30 percent wrong. Mao's contributions were bigger than that, Deng said.
"Reference News", Dec. 2, 1978
"Blooming Socialist Democracy in China", editorial by Japan's "Yomiuri News"
(Own report:) Japan's "Yomiuri News" carries an editorial entiteled "Blooming Socialist Democracy in China", here some translated excerpts: ...
In his speech, Deng for the first time announced the party leadership's basic position, namely that it opposed content on posters in Beijing criticizing Mao Zedong and repudiating the Cultural Revolution, but that the right to expressing views through big-character posters was a "normal thing" protected by the constitution, and there were no plans to suppress it. These words can be said to represent the leading party organs' thinking, namely that the mistakes of the Cultural Revolution had to be corrected, and deification of Mao Zedong and the abosolutization of Mao Zedong Thought undone, but that the principal ideas and basic achievements of the Cultural Revolution should be appropriately appraised. ...
AFP reports that the French Foreign Trade Minister has written a dazibao addressed to Minister Li Qiang, saying that France hoped for some orders of goods, and that friendship should be fostered by contracts.
Agence France Press, Nov. 29 (Reporter: Georges Biannic)
The "Beijing Spring" openly debated by the people, has inspired French Trade Minister Jean-François Deniau today to imitate the Chinese "people" by writing himself a big-character poster demanding Chinese Foreign Trade Minister Li Qiang to sign more trade contracts.
Deniau put up a poster addressing Li Qiang. It was written in black ink on white paper, saying: "To our Chinese friends: We are hoping to receive some orders of goods. Friendship should also be fostered by contracts."
When Li Qiang received the message about this dazibao transmitting the wish of the French government, he burst into laughter. ...
A Japanese enterprise has beaten the French Alter [?] company in signing a contract to build a nitric acid factory, while Alstom-Atlantic, despite being the leading company in this field, missed out the opportunity to build a hydroelectric power plant. Observers point out that Deniau's action to post a dazibao can be easily understood from this background.
"Reference News", Dec. 3, 1978
Foreign agencies comment: Chairman Hua and the Vice Chairmen Ye, Deng, Li and Wang have met a Chinese sports' delegation participating in the Asian Games
Tanjug, Beijing, Dec. 1
Some Chinese politicians who have been criticized on big-character posters, have appeared in public during the last few days. People think that this is a quite reliable indication that in the near future there will be no major changes in the inner circle of the Chinese leadership. Chinese sources that can be trusted say that it was normal and permitted that posters express individual opinions and evaluations. But conclusions on the fate of certain politicians should not be made on the basis of some sporadic mistakes by them, but take into account their overall contributions to the Chinese revolution. ...
Associated Press reports: "Very Calm in the Streets of China"
(Own report) The US paper "New York Post" on December 1, carried a report by Nigel Wade from Beijing, headlined "Very Calm in the Streets of China", here some translated excerpts:
The recent rush of young dissidents in Beijing putting up large numbers of big-character posters and making speeches is apparently calming down. ...
In accordance with the supreme goal of rapid modernisation expressed by the leadership wanting stability and unity, the demands by some younger would-be reformers to make more changes in the politburo have been dropped.
Officials are just spreading words like this: Although "democracy" and "freedom of speech" cannot be disputed as principles, they should not be exercised to an extent that may affect the international trust in China's ability to leave behind sectarianism and turmoil. ...
Agence France Press, Beijing, Nov. 30 (Reporter: Georges Biannic)
A recent novel thing in the life of Beijing are political gatherings in front of the dazibao wall at Xidan Street attracting the attention of people. But the organizers have already proclaimed they would stop them in order to achieve "stability and unity". One poster says: "We have organized democratic gatherings on November 25, 26 and 27 at the Xidan Democracy Wall and on Tiananmen Square." "More and more people joined these meetings. But in order to not affect the revolution and production, and also to not allow bad elements to abuse the gatherings to destroy stability and unity, we have decided not to use this method any more." The decision by these young organizers not to call for meetings any more, is directly related to Vice Premier Deng's remarks last weekend, when he said that some opinions were not in accordance with "the goals of stability and unity and the Four Modernizations."
Kyodo News Agency correspondent comments: "Stability and Unity as Guiding Principles"
Kyodo, Beijing, Nov. 29 (Reporter: Henmi), commentary: "Stability and Unity as Guiding Principles" ...
As the movement advocating democratization has reached the people, there already is a healthy tendency for self-restraint of unreasonable action. In a situation where even demands to "make Deng prime minister" are becoming loudly voiced, Vice Premier Deng and Chairman Hua Guofeng are presenting themselves to the public in and outside China as a collective force in the party that is solid as a rock.
This "strategy" seems to have already been successful.
"Reference News", Dec. 4, 1978
A US newspaper article "Big-Character Posters Show Frank Attitude" says that the Chinese leadership's policy of modernization was popular, but the wariness, lack of knowledge and weakness of mid-ranking cadres were obstructing the realization of this policy, and people were complaining about them.
(Own report) The US paper "Christian Science Monitor" on November 30, carried an article from Hong Kong by correspondent Frederic A. Moritz, headlined "Big-Character Posters Show Frank Attitude, Beijing's Criticism Talks about Past and Present", here some translated excerpts:
The number of posters put up on Beijing's "Democracy Wall" has dramatically increased, drawing people's close attention to the changes that have occurred in China since Chairman Mao Zedong's passing away two years ago, and to changes that have not taken place yet.
During the last couple of months, the big-character posters have been a symbol for the relatively relaxed atmosphere everywhere in China.
Some young people are very audacious, even demanding an end to dictatorship and praising the economic successes of the United States and Taiwan. It is the reassessment of former policies by the current government that makes some people so courageous.
During the last few weeks, in personal contacts with travelers, diplomats and journalists, Chinese have expressed a new frank attitude towards the problems in their country, and they have showed a new curiosity towards ways of doing things abroad.
Behind all this there seems to be a deep conviction: The changes that have occurred in China are not yet enough. Chinese express support for their highest leaders - Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and Chairman Hua Guofeng. At the same time they complain that mid-ranking cadres would not thoroughly implement the changes set out from above. But some Chinese also tell foreigners that such attempts by the leadership are coming to fast.
Tolerating such a large number of opinions also carries a risk that views spontaneously expressed in public could go too far. This is one of the reasons why Mr. Deng is publically defending Chairman Mao and urging authors of posters to pay attention to the need of unity. ...
Still, from what tourists returning from China are saying, the wariness and low ability of mid-ranking officials - some even expressing open objections - is obstructing the implementation of other political measures, such as the bonus system of wages or stimulating elements to raise agricultural production. ...
Foreign agencies report that we have already stopped jamming the "Voice of America"
United Press International, Dec. 1
A high official of the Voice of America said today that China has already stopped jamming the Voice of America and even encouraged students to listen to VOA programs as a way of learning English. VOA's person in charge Peter Straus said: "For the first time, the Voice of America is not suffering from interference from anywhere on this planet."
Straus said that it was not clear from which moment China had stopped jamming the Voice of America. VOA programs for China broadcast in Mandarin, regular English and Special English, the latter being pronounced very slowly and using a vocabulary of less than 2000 words.
British newspaper article "A Bright Star Rising in the East"
A Hong Kong bank manager is saying, if there is a new Cultural revolution happening in China, British banks would not grant large amounts of credits.
(Own report) England's "Daily Express" on November 29 carried an article headlined "A Bright Star Is Rising in the East", here some translated excerpts: ...
A Hong Kong expert has said "It seems that the changes that have occurred in China after Mao are very popular. Only a bold leadership could attempt to set the clock back, but such plans might cause widespread resistance. I do not believe that we can turn back to these old days." Or the question put in a different way: With all these posters published in Beijing every day, and people playing like crazy with words like democracy and freedom, does this mean that Chinese communism will face radical changes? ...
"Reference News", Dec. 25, 1978
Article by Jay Mathews: "China Indicates It Wanted to Liberalize Its Legal System"
(Own report) The US paper "Washington Post" on December 16, carried an article sent from Hong Kong by its correspondent Jay Mathews headlined "China Indicates It Wanted to Liberalize Its Legal System", here some translated excerpts:
After the Chinese leadership has taken a serious of controversial and sometimes contradicting steps, it has begun to gradually introduce a Western style legal system that could even protect politically persecuted people like former landlords.
Foreign analysts who study China's laws do not know to which extent communist party officials, by abandoning punishment of such people, would restrain the power of those in charge of the punishments. But the mood expressed in recent articles by official newspapers and in big-character posters repeatedly demanding human rights, seems to signal the will to revive the less arbitrary legal system that the Chinese people enjoyed for a short period in the 1950s. ...
There is little official response to the calls for human rights expressed in dazibaos in numerous Chinese cities. But one reaction that has drawn attention, was an article in the "People's Daily" that said "every citizen, including elements from hostile classes, is equal before the law."
Since the Communist Party has established its own judicial system from the early 1950s, former landlords, capitalists, anti-communists, rich peasants and other "black elements" and their offsprings, have always been object to official discrimination in China. During the regular criticism movements, they were always the first to be sent to labor reeducation, often without giving a thought to present any legal proofs. ...
"Reference News", Dec. 29, 1978
"Sankei Shimbun" from Japan carries a report by Yoshida Noboyuki: "Dispatches from Beijing: Why They Want to Put Up Dazibaos"
(Own report) Japan's newspaper "Sankei Shimbun" on December 9, 10 and 11, carried a series of reports from Beijing by special correspondent Yoshida Noboyuki headlined "Dispatches from Beijing: Why They Want to Put Up Dazibaos", here some translated excerpts: ...
The scarcity of TV and radio sets is beyond imagination. According to the TV programs printed in the "People's Daily", broadcasts only begin at 6 pm, and at the latest they finish at 11 o'clock. The newspapers represented by the "People's Daily" are "official papers". It is in this environment you find the big-character posters. When I saw people late at night using flashlights to read dazibaos, hardly anything else could have made me feel happier.
In a Beijing that makes people somehow depressed, I can understand that Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping who receives support from many dazibaos and people, does not pursue a short-sighted policy, but faces realities and does everything to improve the living standard of the people. A leader who struggles for this, is a very important asset to me.
Writing big-character posters fits this environment of actual life in Beijing. Even more, as it is possible in a socialist country to allow to express this kind of opinions, such accomplishments cannot be seen in Soviet Union style socialist countries. The question is "the limits of freedom". Regarding these we must obtain further verification in accordance with Chairman Mao's spirit of seeking the truth from facts.
Referring to dazibaos, one may easily see them as a political thing. But reading them in Wangfujing Street, one is stunned by the big variety of standpoints on these posters. We should not think that reaching this degree just depends on the intentions of those in power, and an assumption that "all posters are written under the guidance of the authorities" cannot really be confirmed.
Coming to Beijing this time, the situation I have seen has completely changed from before. I could make my investigations on dazibao in complete freedom. Looking at the places where things happen cannot be compared to the time of the Cultural Revolution under the reign of the Gang of Four, the limits of freedom are being lifted - this is my real feeling, and it is also a fact. ...
Every time I see these bulks of bicycles and masses of people gathered in front of big-character posters, such ideas come up from the depth of my brain. ...
"Reference News", Jan. 4, 1979
An article in the Egyptian paper "Akhbar el-Yom" (Today's News) says: A star has risen in China in 1978
(Own report) Egypt's "Akhbar el-Yom" on December 30, published an article that says: In 1978 a star has risen over the horizon, that is China. Just mentioning the following changes in China sufficiently explains this:
-- For the first time China is allowing Western dances.
-- They are now building hotels and paying attention to tourism.
-- Chinese diplomats are not obliged to wear Mao suits any more. If they want, they may also wear Western suits. They can also express personal opinions, as speaking out is not a crime any more.
-- For the first time there have been big-character posters criticizing Mao, his ideas and viewpoints.
At the same time a bright star has risen in China - the whole truth is now clear. The Chinese Communist Party has acknowledged that Deng Xiaoping is innocent, that all those accusations against him were fabrications. The latest surprise from this advancing China, is its decision to establish diplomatic relations with the United States.
"Reference News", Feb. 11, 1979
Hong Kong newspaper report: An American engineer of Chinese descent speaks out
(Own report) Hong Kong's newspaper "Ming Pao" on February 2 and 3, carried an article by Li Pei headlined "What a Californian Guest Tells", here some excerpts: ...
A traveler to the Chinese mainland often experiences the bureaucratic ways of employees, this is a stumbling block not to be neglected. Even less we can imagine, how can a country that lacks democracy, legality, human rights and freedoms achieve modernization? Only because they enjoy all these, the American people can bring into play the enthusiasm and creativity that leads to the prospering of its society and the creation of powerful advanced science and technology.
Dogmatic thinking is a heavy burden that only buries valuable human talents! Beijing recently saw the emergence of big-character posters at the Democracy Wall, but democracy is still very limited, so let's hope that this is a good start that may continuously expand in the future. As for the legal system, I am afraid, it is even further away. Although the communists always say that the United States is a rotten capitalist system, at least nobody there can be above the law, the Watergate affair also proved this. After thirty years of Marxist-Leninist leadership, China has still not gotten rid of the yoke of the feudal dynasties, people are just as poor as before, and this ideology can hardly convince people.
