A CHINESE WEEKLY OF NEWS AND VIEWS

Vol. 30, No. 11 March 16, 1987 Gorbachev's Economic Blueprint China's Stand on Narcotics Control I Want to be a Soldier When I grow up. Photo by Wang Wuyi

After Class. Photo by Gao Jinlong BeijingRfvir HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

VOL. 30, No. II MARCH 16, 1987

CONTENTS

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS 4 P-5 p. 14 Income Tax Cms Down Disparilv EVEKtTS/TRENDS 5-9 Shuilz Finds an Unchanged China Goal Set to Ensure Agricultural Scientific Revolution and Reform Growth liniri^m l.rvalTccicd b\t • This speech by the Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen discusses Struggle the development of the scientific, technological and social Policy Guides Anti-l.ibcrali/ation revolutions in the world today and the tasks confronting Drive scientists. It is to be published in two instalments (p. 14). Classical Music in C rescendo Wc.-klv ChroniJc (March 2-«) Soviet Economic Reform: Theory and Practice INTERNATIONAL 10-13 Arms Control: Constructive Concessioni Prom Moscow • This overview of the current Soviet economic reform Pak-Alghanifitan: indirect Talk.s analyses changes in both theory and practice compared to End in Failure earlier reform campaigns. It also examines the obstacles and Korea: A Smccic Proposal lo Break opportunities Moscow is facing in this attempt to spur the Dc.idlock economic development (p. 18). The West: Unen-plcument Remains a Headache Sliultz in Beijing Scientific-Social Revolution and Reform 14 • Chinese officials told US Secretary of State George Shultz in Economic Reform in the USSR — Beijing that, despite speculation abroad, China will continue to An Overview 18 carry out reforms and its open policy. However, the struggle China's Attitude Towards Narcotics against bourgeois liberalization will last for a long time (p. 5). Control 21 Divorce: Traditional Ideas Receding 23-24 Avoiding Great Personal Income Disparity Facts & Figures: Income of Farmers on the Rise 25-26 • To reduce income disparity, China has published the provisional regulations on personal income regulatory tax, FROM THE CHINESE PRESS g7-28 under which a 20-60 percent progressive tax is levied on BUSINESS/TRADE 29-30 monthly income over and above 400 yuan. Because the tax only CULTURE/SCIENCE 31-34 applies to very high incomes and has numerous exemptions, Cover: Scieniist Qian .\iiesen only a small minority have found the tax increasing their Zhang Tongsheng burden (p. 4).

General editorial Office Tel: 8*3860 US$22.00 Pwblished every Monday by Sub«riptinn prices (1 yeorji USA £^lish Oepnrtmeni Tel: 890951-S4d Con.$21.00 BEUiNG REVIEW Australia A.$33.00 Canado rjii'nhj'tcl ill Cliiiici Inlernatiofiol Book New Zealand NZ.$30.00 24 Boiwomhuang Rood, Beijing Trading Corporation (GOOJI SHUDIAN. The People's Repubtk of China f^.O. Sox 399, Beiiifig, Oiino UK £12.00 NOTES FROM THE EDITORS

Income Tax Cuts Down Disparity

by Liu Jianjun

he provisional regulations on thusiasm, hindered the develop• and above 400 yuan. If someone's Tpersonal income regulatory tax ment of productive forces and thus overall monthly income is 1,000 went into effect January 1. It is made it impossible to eliminate yuan, the personal income tax he aimed at avoiding great disparity poverty. Under the new policy, pays should be 260 yuan, leaving in personal inconie. those who become prosperous his net earning at 740 yuan, still far Income structures have changed First can help those lagging behind higher than the current average. and incomes generally increased, to catch up and thus gradually At the same time, the tax mitigates with the economic structural attain the aim of common the personal income gap, and reform and the development of the helps uphold the principle of socialist commodity economy in common prosperity. the last few years. Before the With regard to personal income reform, city people relied on wages gained from writing, translations, for their expenses, now many have new personal income transfer of patent rights, licence incomes from other channels, tax seeks to reduce inordinate fees for patent implementation, including contracting businesses, gap between living standards supply and transfer of non-patent leasing, transferring patent rights among individuals while not technology, if that income is less and shares. This change eliminates than 4,000 yuan at a time, a 20 absolute egalitarianism and helps affecting people's percent tax is levied on everything break the "communal pot," motivations. Common over 800 yuan; if more than 4,000, motivating people, encouraging prosperity remains the final the tax is on 80 percent of the their creativity and boosting the goal. amount. With regard to interest, development of the economy. bonus and dividend, tax will be levied at a 20 percent rate in A small number of people, proportion to the amount of however, have incomes which are prosperity. This is one of the income each time. much too high, and a }arge income major tenets of the socialist No tax is levied on interest on gap has appeared. A survey of system, which also include the personal state treasury bonds, and 4,937 people in Xindu County in dominance of public ownership, other bonds issued by the state, southwest China's Sichuan Pro• the principle of distribution to interest on savings deposits in vince shows that only 82 people, or "each according to his work" and state banks, credit co-operatives 1.66 percent of the sampled, made the people being masters of the and post offices, welfare funds, more than 400 yuan a month, with state. Because China aims at pensions for the families of the the highest income being 2,080 common prosperity, it encourages deceased, relief funds, insurance yuan. The better-off people are some people to become well-off cash indemnities, settling-in al• mostly employees of village-run first, and needs to avoid an lowances, severance pay and enterprises and members of inordinate personal income gap. retirement pensions issued to specialized households. In 1986, There is no contradiction cadres and workers according to the average monthly wage for an between levying the personal unified state stipulations. urban worker was 111 yuan and income regulatory tax and allow• Chinese citizens residing within the average annual income of a ing a group of people to make a the territory of China are subject farmer was 424 yuan. fortune. According to the provi• to the personal income regulatory The policy of encouraging some sional regulations, regulatory tax tax. But because the tax only people to prosper through hard on overall personal income begins at a high rate of personal work which China has been (wages, bonuses, contracts, sub• income and tax exemption pursuing over the last few years contracts, services and property involves many items, very few has achieved good results. For• leasing) is progressive. For people people are within the scope of mulated on the basis of past working in Beijing, no tax is levied income taxation. The overwhelm• experience, it discarded the former on monthly income under 400 ing majority of Chinese citizens absolute egalitarian distribution yuan — a 20-60 percent progress• are not affected by the personal method which dampened en• ive tax is levied on the income over income regulatory tax. g

BEIJING REVIEW. NO. 11 4 •i EVENTSARENDS ^••^—1

Shultz Finds an Unchanged China

mission of the Central Committee of the CPC. At the top of the agenda of talks between Shultz and his counter• parts was China's openness to the West. In their meetings with Shultz, Zhao, Li, and Deng repeatedly assured the US Secre• tary of State that a shift from the present policies is out of the question. "We will never change our set policies. Why should we change the policies that have been so effective in recent years?" Deng told Shultz. Reform and opening to the outside world, however, do not mean abandoning the Party's leadership or the socialist road. "China's political line and policies implemented since 1978 have two aspects, upholding the four cardinal principles (adherence to the socialist road, the people's democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the Chinese Commu• nist Party, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought); and carrying out reforms and opening the country to the rest of the world," Zhao said. "Some foreign friends have worries about the current situation in China mainly he visit to China by US which led to the complete because they have perceived the Secretary of State George normalization of diplomatic rel• T adherence to the four cardinal Shultz from March 1 to 6, his third ations between the United States principles as contradictory with visit during his term in office, and the People's Republic of China's reform and open policy," came at a time when some Western China in 1979. he continued, adding, "In fact, countries, particularly those that The importance both China and adherence to the four cardinal have direct interests in China, are the United States attached to principles and the reforms and beginning to worry about whether Shultz's visit can be seen in the open policy are one unified whole, China's open policy will change as composition of the US side, which with adherence to the four basic a result of the change in China's consisted of a large group of principles serving as a guarantee top leadership. Many Westerners journalists and such high-ranking for the continuation of China's are also concerned about the officials as State Department reforms and open poUcy." current struggle against bourgeois spokesman Charles Redman. The liberalization — a term frequently weight of the discussions can also Talking about China's internal used in Chinese press these days to be inferred from the list of Chinese situation, Deng said to Shultz, "It describe attempts to negate the Leaders Shultz met; Wu Xueqian, is impossible to accomplish leadership of the Communist state councillor and foreign socialist modernization and rid Party of China (CPC). Shultz minister. President Li China of its backwardness without arrived in Beijing on March Xiannian, Zhao Ziyang, premier political stability." He added that 1, just one day after the and acting general secretary of the in a big country Hke China with a 15th anniversary of the Sino-US CPC, and Deng Xiaoping, population of 1 billion, capital• Shanghai Communique of 1972, !;"t:hairma n of theAdvisory Com• ism can get nowhere. As for the

MARCH 16. 1987 5 • EVENTS/TRENDS

current move against bourgeois economic and technological ties. reforms and more investment, by liberalization, Deng said, "We are At a press conference in the both the state and farmers, to not going to start a campaign. The Great Wall Hotel after his formal improve the material and techn• fight against bourgeois liberaliz• talks with Chinese leaders, Shultz ical conditions for agricultural ation will last through the entire said that he was convinced that production. process of socialist moderniz• recent political events in China To lay the groundwork for ation. This is a long-standing would not cause abandonment of sustained agricultural growth, the matter. Education is the basic the reforms and that he had no proposal says that price dif• method we will use." reason to question the sincerity of ferences between industrial and Shultz also exchanged views on the Chinese leaders in their agricultural products should be international issues of common assurances. narrowed to ensure that farmers concern and bilateral relations Shultz also visited picturesque make a profit in their endeavours. with Chinese leaders. Wu reaf• Guilin and the Lijiang River in During the Seventh Five-Year firmed that just as China's Guangxi, Dalian, the port city in Plan period (1986-90), further domestic policies will remain Liaoning, and Qufu, the birth• reforms and experiments will be unchanged, its foreign policies will place of Confucius in shandong. tentatively conducted on the purchasing and marketing system not change either. "We will firmly by She Duanzhi carry out our independent foreign for agricultural products, such as policy for peace. We will support grain, cotton, edible oil and pigs, whatever benefits the efforts to so as to introduce a more rational safeguard world peace and to Goals Set to Ensure price system for agricultural consolidate the independence and Agricultural Growth products. state sovereignty of third world The proposal also suggests the countries." rapid spread of new agricultural y year 2000, China's grain In his toast at the welcoming techniques, including the use of B output will average 400 plastic film to cover the land to banquet on March 1, Shultz said, kilogrammes per person and the "In all three documents (the keep the soil moist and prevent income of rural residents will the growth of grass. It also calls Shanghai Communique of 1972, approach that of urban dwellers, the Joint Communique on the for wide use of new strains of according to a proposal made by grain, cotton and fruit. establishment of diplomatic rel• five of China's central ations of 1979 and the Joint departments. As China's cultivated land Communique of August 1982), the The proposal describes the two decreased by an average of United States makes clear that its goals as vital for China's 466,000 hectares a year during the policy is based on the principle economic growth by the end of Sixth Five-Year Plan period that there is but one China." "We this century. It was put forward (1981-85), the country's agricul• have no intention of pursuing a recently by the Rural Policy tural production is getting more policy of 'two Chinas' or 'one Research Office of the Secretariat and more restrained. In the years China, one Taiwan.' We under• of the Chinese Communist Party to come, the proposal says, stand and appreciate that striving Centra] Committee, the Ministry effective measures should be taken for a peaceful resolution of the of Agriculture, Animal Hus• to control non-agricultural Taiwan question is also a bandry and Fisheries, the Forestry occupation of farmland, gradually fundamental policy of the Chinese Ministry, the Ministry of Water halt the reduction of cultivated government. These principles of Resources and Electric Power, land, increase the output of 3.33 one China and a peaceful and the State Council's Rural million hectares of low-yield resolution of the Taiwan Question Development and Research farmland, raise the acreage of remain at the core of our China Centre. irrigated fields by 2.6 million policy," he said in another toast hectares and to prevent flooding in during his visit in Shanghai. The proposal urges Chinese farmers to make efforts to increase another 2 million hectares of land. However, President Li express• the nation's current grain output According to the proposal, ed his hope that the United States of 390 milUon tons first to 450 farmers will be encouraged to would do something about the million tons and then to 500 expand grain production. It also Taiwan issue, the main problem in million tons by the end of the calls for readjustment of the rural Sino-US relations, which remains century, and to narrow the gap of industrial structure to enable 100 to be solved completely. income between urban and rural million farmers to work in people. factories and service trades so as to Both sides have identical views solve the problem of surplus on the importance of the healthy The proposal stresses that the development of relations between attainment of the two goals will labour in rural areas — one the two countries, especially the depend largely- on in-depth ( of the basic reasons for low

6 BEIJING REVIEW. NO. 11 productivity and poverty among Tourism Unaffected built with a total of 140,000 farmers.The state will provide the rooms. This should help alleviate necessary industrial and mineral By Current Struggle the shortage of accommodation, resources to rural industries. he said. The national competition To enhance the technical force for quality tourist service impro• in rural areas, 200,000 agrotechni- ved the economic returns from the cians will be sent to work in the he development of China's industry and provided a catalyst countryside over the next five tourist industry will not be for the development of transport, years. Taffected by the current struggle telecommunications and urban The proposal says the construc• against bourgeois liberalization, public facilities. tion of farming-related industries said Han Kehua, director of the With regard to the tasks for this should be speeded up to ensure State Tourism Administration, at year, the director said that the that 100 million tons of chemical a recent national conference of competition for quality service fertilizers will be applied annually tourism bureau directors. will be further encouraged and across the country by the year Han said that China's tourist efforts will be made to raise the 1995. It suggests that the country industry is still in its infancy and moral and professional standards build another 10 large chemical the country welcomes tourists of those employed in the industry. fertilizer plants. from around the world to come As the first step, tourist centres The proposal also suggests and visit China. will be set up in the airports, ports making efforts to solve the and railway stations of Beijing, problem of food and clothing for In 1986, China's tourist indus• Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, people in poverty-stricken areas in try made rapid progress, and the Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guilin, the next five years. nation witnessed an unpre• Chengdu, Kunming and Dalian. Having been approved by the cedented enthusiasm for develop• These centres will provide consult• CCP Central Committee and the ing tourism. ant services in English, Japanese State Council, the proposal is now Around the country, Han said, and Guangdong dialects and help being carried out nationwide. • more than 900 tourist hotels were the tourists solve accommodation

Policy Guides Anti-Liberalization Drive a negation of socialist democracy, but is intended to further develop t present, Chinese enterprises the contract responsibility system it, and strengthen the positions are conducting political educ- are meant to invigorate enterprises and roles of the workers as masters : Aation for their workers in through the division of the of the enterprises. upholding the four cardinal enterprises' ownership and oper• (5) Criticisms by the workers principles and in opposing ation. They are not meant to and staff of bureaucracy and of bourgeois liberalization. But they follow the capitalist road, nor are unhealthy tendencies among off• are urged to acquire a clear they manifestations of the trend icials, and workers' just demands understanding of the following towards bourgeois liberalization. to safeguard their lawful rights points: On the contrary, they represent a cannot be considered a tendency (1) Advocating factory director useful means of exploration in towards bourgeois liberalization. responsibility system does finding a road to build socialism Officials must not use the policy of not mean weakening and negating with unique Chinese characteris• opposition to bourgeois liberaliz• the leadership of the Party, nor tics. ation as a pretext to suppress does it mean advocating bourgeois (3) The import of technology, workers' criticisms and turn down liberalization. Rather it is to investment, trained personnel and their just demands. emphasize the supervisory role of useful managerial know-how (6) Disciplinary problems the Party organizations in the cannot be equated with "complete among workers and staff should enterprises, strengthen the Party's Westernization." It is to step up be solved through ideological political and ideological work in China's socialist modernization education and administrative the enterprises and uphold the drive and uphold the fundamental measures. They cannot be linked socialist orientation. state policy of opening to the with bourgeois liberalization. The outside world. workers should not be criticized (2) The enterprise reforms and (4) The opposition to bour• under the pretext of opposing experiments such as leasing and geois liberalization does not mean bourgeois liberalization. •

MARCH 16, 19X7 7 EVENTSARENPS

and transport problems. In addition, efforts will be made to introduce some special tourist programmes, such as fishing, horseriding and mountain climb• ing, with strong Chinese national flavours, and provide more of a "night life." State Councillor Gu Mu attended the conference. He stressed that China will not waver in its determination to energeti• cally develop tourism and the state annual investment for tourism will not be reduced. He called on localities to continue to give energetic support to the develop• ment of tourism. by Han Guojian More than 800 musicians give a mass performance of symphony music in Beijing's Capital Gymnasium.

Classical Music mance. He had been nervous of promising future for China's the possible quality of the result — classical music," said Li. In Crescendo but was delighted with the sound. Meanwhile, recorded music has "None was there just to make up been growing side by side with the t seemed a second spring festival the numbers," he said. "Every live music. Beijing's audio store, was offered to Beijing music I musician pulled his weight." earned 40 percent more from the lovers on March 1 —in the shape importation and sale of classical of the mass concert at the Capital China Daily, the English music cassette tapes last year than Gymnasium. language paper, saw the event as a the year before. 1986 saw the shop The 18,000 strong audience "rare opportunity for the audience gain 1 million yuan despite eight experienced a truly mighty to hear and compare Beijing's other stores in town beginning the rendering of Tchaikovski's 1812 orchestras." Li prefers to see the same trade last year. The cost of Overture and the Prelude to Spring evening as an exhibition of one tape is 10-20 yuan, about 10 Festival (by popular Chinese China's classical music power, percent of a worker's monthly composer Li Huanzhi) by an both the musicians' own, and that salary. Yin Hongrui, manager of orchestra of 800 musicians. of their audience. the Beijing audio store is Classical music has gained a That orchestra was an incorpor• convinced they could sell more if tremendous following in China ation of a dozen of the capital's the price were lower. top symphony orchestras, and was over recent years. In October the climax to an evening in which 1985, when Beethoven's 217th There is evidence that not only the individual orchestras played birthday was being marked by a intellectuals are supporting the some of the most popular themes concert of his music at the growth of classical music as it was from composers like Beethoven, Shanghai Concert Hall, a queue in 1950s or 60s. Mozart, Bizet, Dvorak and Zheng encircling the hall three times Lucheng. Each of their conductors had formed by the time the box A worker living on Beijing's led the individual orchestras, but office opened in the morning. The western outskirts came to the shop the honour of conducting the popularity of classical music is last September asking for guidan• awesome 800 was reserved for Li manifested in ticket touts who ce on beginning his classical music Delun, the 70-year-old conductor have been able to sell their tickets collection. The assistant chose 10 of the Central Philharmonic for three or four times their face tapes for him — as an introduc• Society. While he is considered value. It has also been expressed in tion to the greatest masterpieces China's most august conductor, the enthusiasm of children for the available. The next day, the man he has been limiting his public art. For example, 60 youngsters, returned, thrilled with his pur• performances in recent years. average age 15, from the school chases and asking for more. Li told Beijing Review that the affiliated to the Central Conser• The larger cities, Beijing and 800 musicians had only rehearsed vatory of Music, were in the mass Shanghai for example, have a together once before the perfor• orchestra, ; "They represent a variety of music appreciation

8 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. II circles which were formed to Weekly Chronicle breakthrough China has made in promote music in China. These (March 2-8) superconductivity research within circles contain not only the the last 10 days. The result is said obvious professional musicians to be at the same level as an but also students, workers scho• POLITICAL advance made by Japanese lars and even mayors. scienfists, announced by a Japa• The musicians have been taking nese radio broadcast on the same their music out to offices, schools March 5 day. and factories to introduce the • Acting CPC Central Com• Western classical sound to the mittee General Secretary and FOREIGN RELATIONS masses. Composers and conduc• State Council Premier Zhao tors have embarked on the lecture Ziyang meets 16 scientists who circuit. Li Delun himself has given have made great contributions to March 3 several hundred basic intro• research into superconductors and ductory talks on classical music pledges to create an atmosphere of • Chinese President Li Xian- since 1980. He has travelled to democracy, unity, harmony and nian meets a delegafion from the over a dozen cities to conduct, liveliness in which intellectuals can Japanese Democratic Socialist train and organize local continue to make contributions to Party led by Ryosaku Sasaki, orchestras. the country and to the people. permanent advisor and former chairman of the party, and tells the "Our work is its own reward," guests that the leadership of the he says. "People need music." He Chinese Communist Party is a sees classical music as the best ECONOMIC collective, and personnel changes musical answer to China's needs in China's leadership will not March 2 as it undertakes the four change thf, x^o^ntfy's: general modernizations. He believes principles and policies. people need this product of the • Renmin Ribao (People's West to liberate their cultural Daily) reports that Shanghai is thinking from 2,000 years of now able to build large nuclear • Premier Zhao Ziyang meets feudalism. Li has taken spreading power station equipment with a John Swire, chairman of the classical music in China as his generating capacity of 1,000 Brifish Swire Group, and reaf• mission. megawatts. firms to him that China's policy of "one country, two systems" Li has his regrets, and perceives • Xinhua says that the first concerning Hong Kong will problems. "We have wasted too class of senior managers and remain unchanged and Hong much precious time," he says of directors of China's major enter• Kong's capitalist system will be the neglect and hostility classical prises is initiated. A senior maintained for 50 years after 1997. music suffered in China during the government official announces at chaotic "cultural revolution." the initiation meeting that the March 4 Although China has produced more than 35,000 managers and directors of the country's 8,000 big talented musicians over the years, • A Foreign Ministry spokes• and medium-sized enterprises will and their general standard has man says at the weekly news receive in-service training in the been rising, the country is still in briefing that the reduction of coming four years. need of better music, especially in medium-range missiles deployed the countryside and small cities. in Europe and Asia by the Soviet He sees a drain of talented Union and the United States musicians out of China, and an should be simultaneous and economic imperative that leads CULTURAL balanced and be carried out in players away from classical music accordance with a unified prin• and into the more popular studios March 4 ciple until their total elimination. where they can earn as much as 30 • An experiment by some times what is available to them on physicists at Beijing University "The negofiaUons between the the classical stage. confirmed that a superconductor Soviet Union and the United Li believes the healthy develop• made of oxides of yttrium, States on the issue of medium- ment of China's music depends on barium, copper and other range missiles concern the security the country's stability and reform materials has zero electrical of both European and Asian of its musical management, "Of resistance at 91 degrees Kelvin. countries," he says, adding that course," he adds, "it also depends The transition range is quite the security of Europe and that of on more concerts to fund the art." narrow and the drop in resistance Asia are equally important and by Wang Xin is steep. This, is the second should be given equal attention.

MARCH 16.1987 9 INTERNATIONAL

ARMS CONTROL United States allies to the "broad interpretation" of the 1972 Anti- Ballistic Missile treaty (ABM). Constructive Concessions From IVIoscow Such a reinterpretation would permit expanded testing of space The new Soviet disarmament proposal has captured attention weapons. After formally receiving the all over the world, leaving the United States seeking a way to Soviet proposal, Washington has return to the limelight. presented its own draft treaty on removing medium-range missiles from Europe and agreed to oviet leader Mikhail Gorba• Atlantic Treaty Organization prolong the current round of talks S chev announced early this (NATO), said in Brussels that in Geneva with Moscow on month that the Soviet Union is Gorbachev's proposal appeared medium-range missiles. But ready to negotiate a separate to be "a substantial step forward." American chief arms negotiator accord with the United States to West German Foreign Minister Max Kampelman said it could rid Europe of medium-range Hans-Dietrich Genscher said the take six months to reach an nuclear missiles, indicating a Soviets' proposal paved the way agreement. He said verification — major change in his policies. for a treaty to dismantle all US Washington insists on on-site Gorbachev said that while the and Soviet medium-range missiles verification of missile elimination Soviets would insist on a ban on in Europe. in Europe — was one of the space-based weapons as a con• The French government has thorniest issues. The US will also dition for reducing long-range some reservations about the insist on the right to build up to nuclear weapons, the Kremlin Soviet proposal. A spokesman for Soviet levels of shorter-range would not stand in the way of an the French foreign minister said weapons in order to compensate agreement to eliminate medium- the "denuclearization" of Europe the Western allies for the range missiles from Europe. In could give the Warsaw Pact, which withdrawal of US Pershing II and announcing the new proposal, has a "lopsided lead in conven• cruise missiles. Gorbachev said, the Politburo was tional and chemical weapons," "a Since early 1985, the Soviet motivated in part by US officials decisive advantage." The govern• Union has been insisting that any who were "sabotaging accords in ments of Britain, the Netherlands arms treaty should be linked with each of the (three) areas by and Italy were among those who accords on two other main pleading that the Soviet Union refrained from quick assessments, issues—strategic or long-range insists on solving them as a saying they wanted time to study nuclear weapons and space package." the Soviet proposal. They are defense system, US Strategic Most nations in Eastern Europe three of the five NATO countries Defense Initiative (SDI). This welcomed Gorbachev's sugges• where 572 of the US Pershing II standpoint was of course turned tion. Democratic German leader and cruise missiles are being down by the US and referred to as Erich Honecker said that his deployed. West Germany and the cause of the deadlock at the country supports Soviet with• Belgium are the other two Reykjavik summit. drawal of medium-range missiles countries. Since the Iceland summit, the from Democratic Germany and he While many countries expressed relations between the US and the called on West Germany Chan• cautious optimism over the Soviet Soviet Union have been again at a cellor Helmut Kohl to capitalize proposal, Japan sought a greater nadir and the arms control talks on this historic chance for a non- role for Asian nations in arms seemed to have closed down for a nuclear world and muster support talks. Japan called for the while. Adding to this, the US first among his allies for the imple• inclusion of Asia in arrangements exceeded the Strategic Arms mentation of the Soviet proposal. for the withdrawal of Limitation Talks (SALT II) limits The Hungarian newspaper Neps- intermediate-range missiles in last year by deploying the 131 st B- zabadsag said in an editorial that Europe. The Soviet proposal 52 bomber with cruise missiles. Moscow's "world-shaking" pro• would leave 100 Soviet missiles in The Soviets will be in a position posal paves the way for conclud• the Asian part of the Soviet Union this year to exceed SALT II. If ing the first disarmament accord and allow an equal number in the they begin deploying SS-24 between the superpowers. United States. multiple-warhead missiles, they Western Europe has also Washington has welcomed the will have to dismantle SS-17 and expressed approval of the Soviet Soviet move as a positive step. SS-19 missiles to stay within the offer, though some anxieties still • Though some US officials said the treaty. The deployment of another remain. Lord Carrington, Soviet move was aimed, in part, at Typhoon submarine and a Delta Secretary-General of the North increasing <^pposition among the IV sub is also expected; this would

10 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. I 1 put the Soviets over the 1,200 nent, while the Soviet Union's accomphsh the final political missile ceiling on multiple-war• own security will remain ensured breakthroughs that are needed— head strategic missiles. by a conventional force superior in any attempted arms control deal In late . February, Moscow strength. Moreover, removal of would likely fall victim to announced a nuclear explosion the US nuclear umbrella will presidential politicking. marking an end to a unilateral weaken military relations between Gorbachev has said that moratorium on nuclear testing the US and Western Europe. Washington is trying to debilitate which had been extended four The Soviet disarmament pro• the Soviets economically by times since August 1985. So far, posal comes at a time when US forcing them into an arms race. To the US has refused to participate President Reagan is recovering invigorate the Soviet economy, the , in the moratorium, arguing that from the domestic political Kremhn must cut military spend• nuclear tests are essential to its turmoil and trying to,regain the ing and contribute more to SDI research. The Soviets, they initiative of the executive branch. socialist construction. According claim, have the advantage in land- Because of this, it is difficult for to some Western analysts, a based strategic nuclear weapons. Reagan to refuse to budge an inch decrease in the growth of defence In his 1987 State of the Union in his stand on arms control. machinery output from Soviet's message, US President Ronald The Soviets are clearly aware of currently estimated level of 8.5 Reagan reaffirmed his determin• the political deadline for President percent a year to 4 percent will let ation to continue with SDI Reagan set by 1988 presidential the Soviet economy achieve the research. Just recently, the White election. If a basic arms control growth levels envisaged under the House staff has been considering agreement is not reached this five-year plan, even without major early deployment of SDI and year—early enough to give an improvements in productivity. broad interpretation of the 1972 impetus to a summit that could by Xin Di US-Soviet ABM treaty. Given this condition, Gorba• chev, who according to Henry PAK-AFGHANISTAN Kissinger is a "skillful negotiator in arms bargaining with Washin• gton," found a way to kill two indirect Talits End in Failure birds with one stone—by singhng out medium-range missiles from the package. The Soviets can still In the ninth round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, the maintain their objection to SDI question is whether the Soviet Union will offer an acceptable while improving Soviet-US rel• ations. If it is successful, it will timetable for its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. create a favourable negotiating atmosphere and promote Gorbachev's chances to visit the he Soviet Union's sincerity in on the condition that "all foreign United States. In his report to 27th Tseeking a political settlement in intervention in Afghanistan be Congress of the Soviet Commu• Afghanistan was seriously thrown stopped." nist Party last March, Gorbachev into question during the ninth Pakistan, as a neighbour of said he could not visit the US round of indirect talks between the Afghanistan, has had to bear the unless there were some concrete Soviet-backed Kabul regime and burden of sheltering more than 3.5 results in disarmament, at least an Pakistan. A series of Afghan air million Afghan refugees, and agreement on the halting of raids into Pakistan killed some 100 officials in Islamabad have nuclear testing and the elimination Pakistan civilians and wounded demanded an early, unconditional of Euromissiles by the two sides. another 400. and total withdrawal of troops US Pershing II and cruise The on-going talks, which have within three to four months. missiles, though considered as been sponsored by the United Since the beginning of this year, medium-range missiles, can reach Nations since 1982, are aimed at the Soviet Union has launched yet the heartland of the Soviet Union, negotiating a timetable for the another peace offensive in an while the Soviet SS-20 missiles are withdrawal of the estimated attempt to project an image of unable to penetrate US bound• 120,000 Soviet troops in Afghanis• flexibility and convince the world aries. If the two superpowers tan. The talks, which began on of its interest in achieving a completely eliminated their February 25, have been blocked political settlement. Soviet off• mediiim-range missiles from Eu• once again. The representative of icials have tried to create an rope, it would remove a key the Kabul regime has submitted a optimistic atmosphere regarding a component of US strategic timetable of 22 months, according political solution to the Afghan military presence from the conti• to well-informed sources, but only issue. They claim that their troops

MARCH 16, 1987 11 •1 INTERNATIONAL

will be pulled out from Afghanis• negotiations in Geneva was Since the parties concerned tan according to an attractive preceded by an escalation of have not resolved their differences timetable so that "the other side in Soviet violence." "Full-scale off• on the political settlement of the the negotiations will not be able to ensives have been launched, and Afghan issue, the round of indirect reject it." civilian massacres have taken talks ending March 9 has not Prior the resumption of the place in Kunduz and Takhar achieved a final agreement. talks, Soviet Foreign Minister provinces in the north," they Eduard Shevardnadze told his added. by Chang Qing Pakistan counterpart Yaqub Khan, who was in Moscow on his KOREA way to Geneva, that the resolution of the Afghan problem "requires A Sincere Proposal to Break the Deadlock reciprocity of the part of Pakistan." The Kabul regime declared a The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has "unilateral ceasefire" last once again proposed to hold high-level talks with the January. Recently, it has devoted authorities in the South. its energies to publicizing the formation of a coalition govern• ment of national reconciliation, n March 3, DPRK be a success it would require more promising that the ruling party O Premier Li Gun Mo and time for a full preparation and a will not monopolize power after Minister of People's Armed more favourable atmosphere were the process of national reconcili• i Forces O Jin U sent a letter to their needed. ation is completed. South Korean counterparts Lu It should be noted that these The seven-year-old Soviet mili• Shin Yong and Lee Ki Pek proposals by the DPRK were tary occupation of Afghanistan proposing to hold a round of made against the background of has brought great suffering to the North-South, high-level, political joint US — South Korea military Afghan people. Over 1 million and military conferences. The manoeuvres in South Korea. The civilians lost their lives and letter, also suggests resuming the large-scale "Team Spirit 87" anotner 5 million were forced to I dialogue between the two parlia• military manoeuvre has been a seek refuge in Pakistan and Iran. ments, their economic leaders and major barrier to holding North- red cross organizations. South talks. In 1985, when the The aggression has met stiff The government of DPRK has. North-South talks had to be resistance from Afghan Muslim in the past year, made several suspended as a result of the "Team guerrillas (known as the Mujah- moves for the reunification of the Spirit 85" military manoeuvre. ideen) who have inflicted heavy country. President Kim II Sung The present "Team Spirit 87" casualties and losses on the made a similar proposal at the end military manoeuvre has damiiged Soviets, and Soviet-backed of 1986. Then again on January 10 the atmosphere for holding any Afghan troops. and 28 of this year, the DPRK North-South talks, but the However, the Afghan resistance premier and minister of the DPRK, taking the interest of the forces have not been invited to People's Armed Forces sent whole Korean nation into ac• participate in the Geneva peace separate letters, putting forward count, made some concessions. talks. Speaking at the United concrete proposals with regard to Meanwhile, in the latest letter, Nations on March 3, four the talks. the DPRK also agreed to discuss spokesmen for the seven-party However, the South demurred, the issue of the construction of the Afghan Resistance Front made it proposing that the two sides Kumgangsan power station in clear that "peace talks on the war resume only the parliamentary, future high-level political and in Afghanistan should be between economic and red-cross dialogues, military talks. This project has th^ ^eipetrator of that war, Ji,^ "•^d reiterated a demand to hold a been a major point of contention Soviet Union, and the majority of summit conference between the between the two sides. South the nation represented by the two top leaders of both sides. Korea strongly opposes the freedom fighters." The four issues To break the deadlock, DPRK construction of the Kumgangsan under discussion, they said, are the Premier Li Gun Mo and Minister power station, believing that it return of the 5 million Afghan of the People's Armed Forces O would pose a grave threat to its refugees in Pakistan and Iran, Jin U wrote the January letters to security. The DPRK has re• mutual non-interference and non• their counterparts in the South in iterated that the project is aimed at intervention and internationMi wnich they agreed to reopen the peaceful use and would not guarantees. They also pointed out multi-channel dialogues, but constitute a threat to the South. that "the current round ot noted that for the summit talks to by Xu Baokang

12 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 THE WEST face a similar fate in the coming two years. The higher the productivity is, Unemployment Remains a Headache the fewer employees are needed, and the unemployment rate grows. It has been reported that The Western economy is recovering, though slowly. But from 1979 to 1986, workers in the unemployment rates remain high. US manufacturing industry, whose productivity has increased at 3.8 percent each year since 1982, compared with that of 1.5 percent in the 1970s, have been reduced espite the slow but steady Motor factories are shut down. from 21 million to 19.1 million due D recovery of the Western Since the mid-70s, the steel to production increase. In ad• economy over the last four years, companies under EC have reduced dition, automation has also unemployment remains a big their employees by half due to contributed to the reduction of headache for most Western factory closures in order to cut jobs. Robots in US General Elec• countries. Since 1983, the down surplus production capacity tric can produce a 2,500-pound Organization for Economic Co• of 32 million tons. shell in 16 hours compared to the operation and Development has 16 days it takes workers to make a had 31 milhon people out of a job similar product. It is estimated in its 24 member countries, with that about 90 percent of workers' the average unemployment rate jobs in the US manufacturing higher than 8 percent. The figure is industry will be eliminated when it three times that of 1973 and 12 adopts robots with artificial million more than that of 1979. intelligence. It is estimated that by In the United States, 74,000 1992, 250,000 jobs in West people became jobless in January Germany will have been supplan• this year, making the number of ted by robots and mechanical unemployed persons more than 8 hands working on industrial million with an unemployment assembly lines. rate equal to 6.7 percent. At the To cope with the serious jobless end of last year, 16.4 miUion problem, many West European people in the European Commun• countries are gradually cutting ity (EC) were out of job, with the down on work time, strengthening unemployment rate as high as 12 workers' technical training and percent. Last year, Japan's developing high technology. As unemployment rate stood at 2.8 high-tech products, such as percent, greatly lower than that of An unemployed young man in Paris, robots, are grabbing jobs out of the United States and Western begging. workers' hands, the high-tech Europe, but the highest Japan has industy, along with its related seen in the past 30 years. In addition, the increasing labour service, is creating job This phenomenon of severe number of unemployed persons opportunities. About 2.2 million unemployment alongside arises from the merger of new jobs will probably be economic growth can be at• companies. Last year, about 4,000 available by 1995, according to tributed to structural unemploy• firms in the United States were US Department of Labour. A ment. Because of the increase in combined. Since 1980, the Intern• Japanese steel corporation, after the value of the yen, some of ational Telephone & Telegram deciding to close five blast Japanese companies producing Corp. has sold out more than 100 furnaces, said that it would high-cost products have had to of its subsidiaries, firing 100,000 develop new materials and close their factories or transfer workers or 44 percent of all of its biological and electronic tech• them to foreign countries. This has employees. The amalgamation of nology. According to the steel resulted in a higher unemploy• firms has also led to heavy company, non-steel products will ment rate in Japan. Since 1981, 6.5 dismissal of administrators. Be• account for half of its total sales by percent of 578,000 employees of tween 1983 and the beginning of 1995. That means by 1990, 6,000 the US General Motors Corpor• 1987, about 0.6 to 1.2 milHon of its 19,000 laid off workers will ation have been laid off and senior administrators had been go back to work, though in new another 25 percent will have been deprived of their jobs and another industrial departments. laid off by 1989 when 12 General 200,000 to 300,000 will have to by Li Changju & Ma Fangyun

MARCH 16, 1987 13 •i ARTICLES

Scientific-Social Revolution and Reform by Qian Xuesen

evolution is a sudden leap in appearance of quantum mech• Rthe process of the development anics. The study of quantum of things. It is a drastic and mechanics involves things which qualitative change. Everything are much smaller than a molecule. develops uninterrupted^y and The size of a molecule is of the unevenly. Sometimes things order of 10"^cm. Below this size, develop slowly, or come to a the Newtonian mechanics are standstill for a while; sometimes inadequate, and quantum mech• they develop quickly, involving a anics must be applied. It is moving qualitative change, and a leap. from the macroscopic world to the This leap is called "sublation" in microscopic world. the classical term of philosophy. We usually call it "revolution." The second discovery involved geocentric theory. Later, people the general theory of relativity. If understood that the earth circled the scope of research expands Scientific Revolution the sun — the hehocentric theory. beyond our solar system, such as This was A leap in human the galaxy, Newtonian mechanics From this viewpoint, what does cognition of the objective world. are also inadequate. Our galaxy, "scientific revolution" mean? It To reverse the false cognition of which looks like a plate with a means a leap in human cognition the past and establish a new bulge in the centre, is some of the objective world. The term cognition is a scientific revolution. 100,000 light years in diameter, itself was coined by T.S. Kuhn, an There are many such instances in i.e., it takes light travelling at American scientist and philoso• history. 300,000 kilometres per second, pher who wrote The Structure of Human understanding of the 100,000 years to go from one edge Scientific Revolution. The view• objective world is not confined to the opposite edge of the Milky point that science does not merely to nature. There are also Way. Only the general theory of develop smoothly he advanced in revolutions in the social sciences. relativity can be used to explain its his book is correct. Large, There were two such revolutions nature and movements. qualitative changes may happen; a in the middle of the 19th century. Astronomers claim that above leap may occur in the process of One was Marx's advancement of the size of macroscopic world, development. He regarded this the theory of historical material• there is a cosmic world. Thus, qualitative change and the leap as ism, and the second, his theory of broadest in scope is the cosmic a scientific revolution. In my surplus value. These constituted a world, then the macroscopic opinion, this view is correct, revolution in the social sciences. world and finally the microscopic though not everything in the book world. Their objective of study, may be correct and on many We are now confronted with respectively, would be the system points I disagree. But I am sure another major scientific develop• of galaxies that constitute our about his theory of scientific ment, or, a scientific revolution. universe; the solar system and revolution. High-energy physics and the study of elementary particles constitute things on earth such as mountains There have been many leaps in an important aspect in the and rivers; and atoms, elementary the history of human cognition of development of science. These particles. Quantum mechanics the objective world. All these branches of learning show what and the general theory of relativity constituted scientific revolutions. kind of a world we are living in. represented a scientific revolution. For instance, our predecessors Beginning from the Newtonian Physicists have found that four held that the sun and moon moved mechanics of the 17th century, applied forces between substances around the earth — that is, the scientists studied a macroscopic exist within the microscopic world world. That is, from the solar of elementary particles. The system down to things on earth, weakest is called universal gravit- Qian Xuesen is a noted Chinese such as the movement of motor afion. A bit larger one is called the scientist and concurrently vice-chairman of vehicles and human beings. These weak force. The third, electromag- the National Committee of the Chinese constituted our cognition of netism, and the strongest of all is People's Political Consultative Conference and president of the China Association of macroscopic world. the strong force. Physicists have Science and Technology. Here is an Two things happened early this called for developing a complete abridged translation of a recent address. century. The first was - the theory which would unify these

14 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 four forces — the Grand Unified and I call it the "supercosmic energy. This is crystal clear. Theory. world." Technological change means a In studying this theory, it is All in all, physicists and leap in technology by which discovered that unifying the four astronomers have in the last ten people change the objective world. apphed forces requires a new field. years added two more layers, the The emergence of this new This new field was discovered by "submicroscopic world" and technology has affected many Professor Higgs of Edinburgh "supercosmic world" to the areas, and particularly the produc• University in Britain, and is called original "cosmic world," "macro• tive forces. This is what technolog• the "Higgs Field." It is much scopic world" and "microscopic ical revolution means. smaller than the field of elemen• world." There are altogether five As part of the oncoming tary particles. Its size is down to layers. The process of our technological revolution, I would lO'-'^'cm, and it is also the length of cognition of the objective world is like to call attention to the the string of the developing still developing, and no final importance of artificial in• "superstring theory." The result is conclusion has yet been reached telligence. An "intelligent ma• that a mere microscopic viewpoint on this platter. But we can see a chine" surpasses the calculating won't do, and it is necessary to trend. Beginning with the Grand function of a computer. We need have a new conception, smaller Unified Theory, the theory of human wisdom, or partial in• than the microscopic world, which universe is involved. When this telligence. The fifth-generation we call "submicroscopic world." theory is at last established, it will computer being developed by The Higgs Field in the submicro• naturally be a leap of human Japan is such a kind of technology. scopic world precisely can be used cognition of the objective world. It The United States and Western to construe the formation of our will be a scientific revolution. In Europe have also begun to universe. Thus the biggest and the the far distant future, more develop this technology. This is smallest can be linked together. universal layers will be found. likely to be a new and most Physicists and astronomers long From this viewpoint, I think important technological revo- ago proposed the "big-bang" that it is unnecessary to bring up lufion, of which we are just on the theory of the formation of the the concept of ontology put threshold. universe, based on astronomical forward by some philosophers. I I think society is sure to develop observations which show that the have merely mentioned the five by leaps and bounds as well. Is a size of our universe is about 10 world structure of the universe leap in the process of social billion light years and that its stars and try to point out that this is development a social revolution? are moving apart from one really the essence of the objective We say the development of science another. According to the theory, world and its origins. All these is a social phenomenon, and so are this enormous universe was a very come precisely v/ithin the dis• advances in technology. What small, extremely dense mass at the cussion of ontology. Ontology of method should be adopted for the beginning. It "exploded" and its some philosophers cannot solve study of social phenomenon? parts started to expand. This the essential problems of the Historical materialism, of course. theory met with many criticisms in objective world, but science can. The basic viewpoint of historical the past. What was the universe in Therefore, in my opinion, there materialism is that the develop• the instant before it exploded? It will be in the near future a new ment of society results from the does not make sense philosophi• scientific revolution in natural development of the productive cally. This problem was men• sciences. forces. Here there are two groups tioned by Engels in his book Anti- of basic concepts: One is the Duhring. Now the Higgs Field can productive forces and the relations be used to reconstruct this theory. of production, with the productive The process of the explosion is Technological Revolution forces promoting the relations of complicated. It was not the only production which, in turn, react explosion, and the universe is There has been much talk about on the productive forces. The indefinite. It was only a local a technological revolution. Here I second is the economic base and explosion of our universe. Thus don't want to dwell on it in detail, the superstructure. The economic the problem of the starting point just make a few comments about base promotes the development of of the universe is solved. In this it. I think the concept or definition society's superstructure which, in way the "big-bang theory" is of technological revolution may turn, reacts on the economic base. restructured or reconstructed into be given by citing Mao Zedong: These are the basic viewpoints of the "inflationary universe "What is a technological revo• historical materialism. theory." Therefore, in terms of a lution? It is an important change Proceeding from this viewpoint, world xnew, many universes exist in the teclmological field." He we think that scientific revolution simultaneously. This stems frorn gave three examples: the steam and technological revolution both the "inflationary universe thebfy"' engine, electric power and atomic belong to this economic base

MARCH 16. 1987 1.5 m ARTICLES

because what directly promotes lution. But at that time, the study and leap of social formation is the development of the productive of the development of social social revolution, which can be forces is technological revolution, formation in science and tech• triggered off by different factors which stems from scientific nology seemed to have received no and have different characteristics. revolution. To change the objec• attenfion. Today, when we Industrial revolution, political tive world, we must first know the approach a problem, we must first revolution and cultural revolution world. Of course, in the early clarify the basic concept of social all belong to social revolution, period of human history, there formation. In understanding this which is at a higher level than was no such things as science. But scientific revolution and techn• even in remote antiquity, the ological revolution. They bring human race also experienced about fundamental changes in technological revolution — for in• social formation. That is why we stance, the utilization of fire and say the theory we habitually used, the smelting of iron. But there was Man must first know that is that the alternation of social no body of scientific knowledge to formation must go through social speak of. Therefore, a scientific the objective world before revoluUon, is still tenable. I simply revolution did not necessarily exist he can change it. Whether put these facts that cause major at that time, but a technological it is scientific or social changes in a system for revolution did. However, man technological revolution, study, this is a systems viewpoint, must first know the objective a systems theory viewpoint. it will cause a revolution in world before he can change it. According to the above- Now that there is science, the way the productive forces. menfioned definition, the leap of by which to know the objective economic social formation is world is scientific revolution, so industrial revolution. I think four scientific revolution becomes the industrial revolutions have taken precursor of technological revo• place in human history. lution. Whatever the case, whether concept, we must uphold the it is scientific revolution or viewpoint of historical material• The first industrial revolution technological revolution, it will ism. This means the relationship took place 10,000 years ago. eventually cause a revolution in between the productive forces and Mankind developed from hving the productive forces. Subjects to the relations of production and the by hunting and gathering to living be studied in the social sciences are relationship between the by farming and animal things at a higher level, that is, economic base and the superstruc• husbandry. problems such as the productive ture. Proceeding from this view• The second industrial revo• forces and the relations of point, we must consider several lution took place in the period of production, the economic base aspects of social formation. One is slave society. With the develop• and the superstructure. We must that put forward by Marx, that is, ment of production, people no' study all these conscientiously. economic social formation .There longer produced just for them• are two other aspects: One is selves, but for exchange, which political social formation, the meant the emergence of commod• other is ideological social form• ities. The commodity economy Social Revolution ation, which we usually call emerged long ago. It is not unique ideology. to capitalist society. It also existed Social formation was a term Now we have made its in slave society and feudal society. first put forward by Marx. He definition clear. Ideology does not Therefore, the commodity cited many examples, such as the mean the consciousness of a economy is not tied to a particular primitive society, slave society, particular person, but of the entire social system. feudal society, capitalist society, society, so we call it social The third industrial revolution and socialist or communist ideology, or ideological social took place in England in the late society. The social formation form. It thus becomes clear that a 18th century and early 19th mentioned here is the organiz• leap of economic social formation century. The emergence of the ational structure of the entire can be industrial revolution, a leap steam engine gave rise to large- society. We are reminded here that of political social formation is scale industry. But it should be in Marx's time, the central issue political revolution, and a leap of stressed that large-scale industry was class struggle between the ideological social formation is at that fime was not large-scale proletariat and the bourgeoisie. In cultural revolution. The industrial industry in its modern sense. his book The Condirion of the revoiution, political revolution The fourth industrial revolution fVorking-Class in England, Engels and cultural revolution all belong happened in the late 19th and early used the term industrial revo• to social revolution. The change 20th centuries, when the organiz-

16 PEiJlNG REVIEW, NO. 11 ational form of factories experien• form of the economy; this is the The special features of the ced tremendous changes and the third industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution are as scale of factories expanded from employment of 'machine power tollows: one household or family to a and processing with machines was 1. Specialization of prouucuon country or the whole world. In his one of the main features of the parts. For instance, items such as book. Imperialism, the Highest industrial revolution. In chapter screws, nuts, and valves would not Stage of Capitalism, Lenin 13 of volume I of Capital, Karl be produced by each individual emphatically dealt with the Marx devoted nearly 200 pages to factory, but supplied by spec• political significance of the fourth the structure of large industrial ialized factories. industrial revolution; he also production and its effects. During 2. Standardization of produc• mentioned its economic sig• the stage of large-scale industrial tsPreviously production v as nificance, but not in detail. production, production was trans• carried out on a small scale; as Internationally, we are now ferred from individual families to long as all the products could be experiencing what has been called individual factories. Each factory sold, the factory could keep going. the Third Wave, or the new was independent and worked on Now that different factories industrial revolution. It should be its own, and the scale of worked in co-operation, measure• called the fifth industrial production organization was ment and standardization was revolution. limited to each factory. At that necessary. time, the leadership gave oral 3. Information and communic• orders governing organization ation became important with co• World Situation and management. Everything was operation developing rapidly at relatively simple. A productive the turn of the century. At present factors tending economy based on studies of an 4. More manpower was needed towards war still exist; sometimes organizational structure for the for organization and management the situation becomes rather tense. productive forces and its efficient work, while the labour force But I think there will be no large- operation did not exist. This was directly engaged in production scale war, nuclear or conven• the fime when Marx developed could be reduced following tional, before the end of this Marxist scientific political mechanization and automation. century. However, small-scale economics. However, organiz• Scientific management, such as wars occur all the time, and these ation and management had not the Taylor System, came into incessant small wars might yet become a special branch of being. Later scientific manage• escalate into larger conflagrations. knowledge. ment became known as manage• Therefore, we must strengthen our In China prior to the current ment science. national defence so as to prevent reform of the economic structure, 5. As products could be turned larger conflicts. Together with the •production remained at the level out only with the joint effort of people of the whole world, we will of the 19th century — each factory many factories, transportation strive to safeguard world peace so functioned independently, pro• and power became extremely as to carry out our sociahst ducing everything from nuts and important and made significant modernization in a peaceful bolts to finished products. We had headway at the turn of this environment. never paid attention to the century. The raw and other economics of productive forces. materials of a Western transn• The merger into an organic We never studied scientific ational company were often whole of world economic activities production management; no such supplied by colonies. Britain was a is the general characteristic of need was felt. case in point. In this way, current human society. Let us In many parts of the world, the production was carried out on a recall the world history, starting productive forces developed far• worldwide scale. The colonies with the third industrial revo• ther at about the turn of this became suppliers of raw materials. lution, which began in the second century, resulting in the fourth 6. From Lenin's works it can be half of the 18th century. Prior to industrial revolution, which had seen that banks and financial the industrial revolution, for many its progressive aspect in produc• organizations became organized thousand years, almost all produc• tion organization and economic around world producdon. Their tion was done by hand, and was structure. Instead of individual financial undertakings made asc carried out in individual families. production, several factories of the imbalanced development of By the end of the 18th century worked in co-operation. This form the world economy to seek factory production, which in• even extended on a nationwide economic efficiency. So it is tegrated m.achine power and scale, and later to tlie formation of necessary for us to study financial machine processing, led to large- transnational corporations. This economics. scale production. This change in is the monopoly capitalism turn resulted in a leap in the sdcial mentioned in Lenin's works. (to he continued in our next issue)

MARCH 16. ivs/ 17 Economic Reform in tlie USSR—An Overview by Xi Lei

t its 27th congress in March By contrast, the present plan The new edition of the A 1986, the Communist Party of begins with a criticism of the Programme of the CPSU adopted the Soviet Union (CPSU) adopted "automatic-adaptation" theory last year, however, set "perfecting a strategy of accelerating the and argues that the conformity of socialism in a planned and country's socio-economic devel• the relations of production to the comprehensive way" as its general opment and carrying out a nature of the productive forces is task for the period ahead. "fundamental reform" of the not the outcome of one single act. Furthermore, Gorbachev used a nation's economic structure. Nor is it automatically maintained new concept, "developing social• thereafter. ism," when speaking at a national This was not the first Soviet Rather, the forms of the conference of heads of social attempt at reform; two other such socialist relations of production science faculties at institutions of attempts, one in the Khrushchev can age, lose their stimulating higher learning. Such phraseology era and the other under Leonid effect and become a barrier to indicates that his understanding of Brezhnev, have been made in the social progress. If the obsolete Soviet realities and his country's past 30 years. But judging by the part of the relations of production present stage of development has theoretical developments and is retained, the social and changed. practical steps taken in 1986, the economic situation may current effort surpasses the deteriorate — hence the necessity 3) Socialist ownership. One previous two in both scope and of making periodic and profound problem in Soviet theoretical depth. transformations. circles has been that the question This change shows that the of ownership has always been Soviet Union has acquired a looked at in absolute and clearer and deeper understanding oversimplified terms, namely that Theoretical Developments of the objective need for reform private ownership hinders devel• than before. opment of modern productive 2) The developmental stage forces while public ownership One major difference between reached by Soviet society. opens up broad vistas for their the current plan and the previous Soviet leaders who preceded development. two is that Soviet views of some Mikhail Gorbachev all held This changed last year, when the important theoretical aspects of unrealistic views on this question. Party admitted that experience the economic structural reform For instance, the third Pro• shows public ownership per se appear to have changed. gramme of the CPSU, adopted does not guarantee economic 1) The interaction between under Khrushchev, set as a goal success. If the structure of pubhc productive forces and the that the Soviet Union would ownership is in conflict with relations of production. For a achieve communism by 1980. But changing economic realities, it will long time the dominant Soviet history has proved this unrealistic. impede development of the view on this question was that When Brezhnev came to power, he productive forces and the use of once sociahsm was established, claimed that the Soviet Union technological achievements. the relations of production would "has built a developed socialism." This change in premise led to automatically adapt to the Though he was more restrained in the following propositions: productive forces and guarantee tone than Khrushchev, his a) Socialist property has a rich their rapid development. There eagerness to bring about the content; it includes a multifaceted would therefore be no need to transition to communism made system of relations among make any major adjustments in him overestimate the country's people, collectives, industries and those relations. state of development and led to regions of the country in the The two previous attempts at serious mistakes in economic use of the means of ' produc• reform were launched on this policy. When Yuri Andropov tion and its results and a theoretical basis and could at best took office, he described the whole range of economic interests. be described as efforts at "partial" Soviet Union as "perfecting a However, its basic tenets are to reform aimed at "perfecting" the developed sociahsm," saying his establish an attitude among the existing economic structure. They nation was just at the beginning of labouring people that they are the were by no means "revolutionary" a developed sociahst society — a real masters of the socialist or "fundamental." view much closer to reality. property and to carry out the 18 BEIJING REVIEW. NO. 11 principle that income must be remnants of natural economy, and ing directly in the work of linked to productivity. the prevalence of dependent enterprises. Instead, the State b) Co-operative property has psychology and equalitarianism. Planning Commission should far from exhausted its possibilities 5) The people's autonomy. The focus on setting basic economic in socialist production. Wherever current reform stresses the need to targets and overseeing overall the need exists, utmost support develop socialist democracy and speed and ratios to ensure should be given to the establish• increase workers' autonomy in balanced economic growth and ment and growth of co-operative production. This is based on the scientific and technological pro• enterprises and organizations. belief that the direct participation gress. In other words, it should They should become widespread of workers in administering and become an advisory department in the manufacture and processing supervising both production and for the state. of products, in housing construc• distribution is crucial to speeding Similarly, government depart• tion and in the running of garden up the development of the social ments and committees should and vegetable plots, and in the economy. focus on long-term planning, sphere of everyday services and Enterprises and agro-industrial developing and applying in• trade. complexes must expand democ• tegrated science, technology, and c) Individual economy is a vahd racy and increase the power of investment policies, disseminating component of socialist economy, work collectives and workers' scientific and technological and individual labour, which congresses. Leaders of both achievements, and ensuring a serves not only personal but also enterprises and production units reasonable combination of large, state interests, is a complement to should be elected or hired rather medium-sized and small social production and can fulfill than appointed. And in factories specialized enterprises. important social tasks. one-person guidance by a director 4) Commodity-Money rel• should be combined with collec• 2) Administration should be ations. The view, which had tive leadership. simplified. The former All-Soviet prevailed for a long time and Industrial Production Corpor• changed only recently, was that New Practical Steps ation, a middle-tier management commodity-money relations were body, should be dismantled and remnants of capitalism and thus In 1986, the Soviet Union industrial departments should forces alien to socialism. During adopted more than a dozen adopt a two-tiered (state- the reforms of the 1970s, a resolutions aimed at implement• enterprise^ system of campaign was even launched ing the reform. In January of that X administration. against so called "market year, a new "Committee to 3) Different production units socialism." Improve Management, Planning and industries should co-operate Now, however, the Soviets are and the Economic Structure," and co-ordinate their work. For stressing the role of commodity- headed by Nikolai Talyzin, first this purpose, the state has created money relations and trying to Vice-chairman of the Council of several new departments and overcome prejudices against them. Ministers and chairman of the restructured, consolidated or The views now being put forth State Planning Commission, was dismantled some old ones. are: commodity-money relations created. Its job was to devise 4) Local governments should be are necessary attributes of the specific ways of carrying out the given more power and responsi• planned economy; the basic economic reform, whose basic aim bility to decide the overall contradiction in commodity pro• is to improve economic efficiency economic management of the duction still exists under social• by tightening overall control over districts they administer. ism; the law of value is still the economy as a whole while The second step is to give expressed in the law of prices; strengthening the microeconomy enterprises more autonomy and commodity-money relations are —giving more autonomy to responsibility. not an external factor imported smaller segments and production Last year, the Soviet Union from capitalism, but a pheno• units. carried out two experiments in menon governed by objective law; The first step is to change the industrial management. First, the and it is only by relying on the existing system of centralized "large-scale economic experi• quality and the unique property of management. Specific measures ment," which started in 1984 with commodity-money relations adopted so far are as follows: enterprises under five industrial themselves that it will be possible 1) The State Planning Co• departments, was expanded to to eliminate the defects obstruct• mmission and many other govern• one-third of the Soviet enterprises, ing the development of social ment departments and state which together account for 50 economy, such as the lacking of committees should stop taking percent of the nation's total objective basis in planning work, part in routine, day-to-day industrial output value. The the widespread existence of'the economic work and stop interfer• changes, which the state says will MARCH lo. 1987 i9 •1 ARTICLES be put into practice throughout themselves and also responsible vegetable farms and contracting industry, aim to reduce the role of for their own decisions and them out to people who want to mandatory planning, to increase achievements. The approach grow fruits and vegetables. State- the role of economic contracts being used in these two enterprises run farms and other departments both in planning and evaluating is to be applied to 36 other large are to provide seeds, saplings, enterprises' economic perfor• enterprises now under state fertilizers, and building materials mances, and, by examining the control. In the future, enterprises to these orchards and vegetable production quota, to Unk up the will be charged with developing farms. funding in enterprises with their their own complete economic In 1986, the Soviet Union also economic targets, and their accounting systems and raising adopted other reform measures income with management achieve• their own funds by balancing whose implemention will begin in ments, in other words, the reforms income and expenditures. 1987. These measures include: will give enterprises more auto• 1) Reforming foreign trade nomy to upgrade technology and The third step is to reform the management by giving more to improve their cultural facilities agricultural system by adopting autonomy to both foreign trade and housing conditions. more flexible policies. Like departments and enterprises. enterprises, farms should be Starting January 1, about 20 Second, the Volga Motor granted more autonomy so they ministries and state committees Vehicle Plant and the Frunze will have a larger stake in and 70 large corporations and Machine-Building Scientific Pro• production outcomes. Farmers enterprises have been allowed to duction Corporation both tried are now allowed to sell agricul• handle their own import and new ways of increasing revenues. tural products that exceed state export business. Departments and This they did by reducing state plans, as well as 30 percent of state committees can establish production quotas and attaching planned products like potatoes, foreign trade companies and greater importance to targets for vegetables, and fruits, at market corporations, and enterprises can profit. Given stable economic prices. The state will double the establish funds for foreign ex• quotas, the factories and the state price it pays for grain above and change reserves, which the higher will share the profits and a beyond farmers' quotas and if the authorities have no right to spend. worker's bonus fund will be farmers' annual deliveries have However, if enterprises suffer established. Under this system, surpassed the average level set by losses due to improper manage• enterprises have a right to decide the 11th Five-Year Plan. The state ment, they must repay them how to spend their after-tax will al^o increase its payments for themselves. Furtherm.ore, 300 profits themselves. On the other grain and various cash crops, large and medium-sized enterpr• hand, they are also responsible for domestic animals, poultry, and ises can now establish direct trade raising money needed for expand• milk by 50 percent if farmers have relations with companies or ing reproduction and technolog• not met their quotas but their enterprises from the member ical upgrading; the state will no annual deliveries have surpassed countries of the Council for longer be responsible for appro• the averages specified in the 11 th Mutual Economic Assistance priating its funds. If an enterprise Five-Year Plan. This policy of (CMEA) and they should handle does not have enough funds to price increases will last until 1990. by themselves any problems carry out its plans, it may borrow Besides these economic incen• arising from this co-operation. from the banks. tives, both collectives and house• 2) Reforming the administr• holds are now taking part in In the case of the Frunze ation, structure and policy of the contract systems designed to Corporation, the state budget wage system. This will affect 75 improve efYiciency and productiv• office and industrial ministries million people in various produc• ity. In 1986 alone, the contract receive 30 percent of the profit and tion units. Eventually, the state system was introduced on three- the corporation keeps the other 70 will stipulate only basic wage fourths of the cultivated land and percent. The Volga Plant gave the categories, while enterprises will 60 percent of products and animal state 47.5 percent of the profits draw on their own earnings to husbandry run by collectives. and the state's industrial minis• adjust their workers' wages. More than 1.1 miUion people are tries 5 percent while retaining the 3) Establishing joint ventures involved. Household contract other 47.5 percent. and other co-operative links with systems are also on the rise both Eastern and Western coun• These changes aim at introduc• throughout the Soviet Union, tries. This has resulted in some ing a genuine and complete though the press there has formal contracts and pending economic accounting system to reported that many exist in name agreements with the United enterprises so that they can only. In addition, the 12th Five- States, Italy, Finland, France, become relatively independent: Year-Plan calls for I million West Germany, and Japan. able to change and develop collective-owned orchards and 4) Adopting the "Individual

20 BEiJLNG REVIEW, NO. 11 Labour Law," which allows to succeed, the key elements of the advantage of their rights, and have individual workers to work on economic mechanism, especially not been doing so. their own in 29 occupations under supplies of materials and tech• Third, political reform is an the condition that they do not nology, financial credit, and the essential prerequisite to successful employ anyone else to work for role of prices, must be changed. economic reform and is needed to them. But Soviet reform has made no guarantee its success. However, Early in 1987, the state also real progress in this respect. poUtical reform deals with issues, passed a resolution to establish co• Proposals on price systems and such as social democracy and the operatives that produce daily financial credit have yet to be personnel system, which are more consumer goods and operate in issued, and the government itself sensitive than those affected by the service and food trades. The has admitted that to a great extent economic reform. All these issues state has also issued detailed the reform involves only the affect the interests of many people, provisional regulations on the enterprises and joint companies, so the difficulties are greater. rights, responsibilities and oblig• and that economic accounting has Gorbachev has repeatedly urged ations of state-run enterprises and only been partially carried out. leaders of all ranks to support, the relations among enterprises, Second, giving enterprises more defend, develop and push the government authorities, and local autonomy means limiting the reform. This also proves the above people's representatives. control of higher authorities over point of view. their growth and functioning and Fourth, ideological remoulding actually handing management is the most difficult task. over to the enterprises. This is Longstanding inertia and anti• Problems and Prospects most difficult, because ministries quated ways of thinking are the and committees do not want to major obstacles to reform.because The above description suggests relinquish their power. As econo• they often keep people in their old that the Soviet Union's economic mist A. G. Aganbegyan, an tracks both consciously and reform plans are just starting and academician of the Soviet Acad• unconsciously. will be subject to many difficulties emy of Sciences, pointed out, the In summary, a new round of and obstructions. Gorbachev Soviet Union currently has about reforms has started in the Soviet recently admitted that the reform 200,000 laws and regulaUons on Union. Gorbachev is quite will be more difficult than the books. Although some of them determined that Soviet society originally planned and always are obsolete, people are still must go through a comprehensive entails risk. confused about their validity. reform. He says there is no other First, the essence of the reform Heads of enterprises do not know way out, nor i's there any place to lies in changing the method of which are valid and which are not. retreat. However, he has also said management, from an administra• and are therefore at a loss as to that the process will be slow and tive model to one based on what to do. Under such circum• that the coming two or three years economic results. For the reform stances, they are unwilling to take will be the most difficult. •

China's Attitude Towards Narcotics Control

The abuse and illegal traffic of According to the United intravenously are faced with a new i narcotics is still one of the Nations International Narcotics danger of getting AIDS from a most serious social problems in Control Board's 1986 report', the dirty needle. the world," said Li Chaojin, abuse of both natural and The report points out that director of the Pharmaceutical synthetic narcotics in the last 20 where narcotics are illegally Administrative Bureau of the years has spread progressively in grown, produced or trafficked, Ministry of Public Health. He almost all countries and threate• there the danger of abuse is most spoke after attending the meeting ned all social strata, including serious. It is a matter of prime of'the United Nations' Commis• children. Abused narcotics include importance to launch a preventive sion on Narcotics in Vienna last marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. drive among people who are at month. Last year, he said, the Because narcotics are often taken most risk. United Nafions narcotics control at the same time as alcohol and The recent meeting of the UN organizations and the authorities tobacco, or other drugs, drug Commission on Narcotic Drugs of many countries made positive takers' health is being seriously maintained that in most parts of efforts in this respect. ,\ •damaged. Those taking narcotics the world, heroin, marijuana and

MARCH 16. i9H: 21 •1 ARTICLES cocaine remain the major illegal amount of narcotics is allowed for addictive. In 1986 the Chinese narcotics. The interception of medical use in China, and the Ministry of Public Health appro• these three' narcotics' increased' import and export of narcotics ved the development of a new rapidly in 1986. Meanwhile, the must be approved in advance by medicine with codeine content for quantity of drugs illegally traf• the Ministry of Public Health, killing pain, easing coughs and use ficked also increased, the misuse they concluded. in clinical examinations. The new of stimulants is increasing sharply medicine has played a positive role in some countries and has aroused in medical treatment. mounting concern. The participating countries China will include in its own relevant regulations the UN list of unanimously demanded gloser ^^hina's policy is to ban international co-operation, so as drugs to be kept under intern• to effectively control and combat cultivation of the opium ational control. As regards the smuggling and misuse of poppy and to combat the methaqualone which has a narcotics. illegal manufacture, trade stronger drug effect and addiction, in 1983 China formulated rules for and transport of drugs, controlling its use in the medical China's Stand except for small amounts field and stopping its export. In for medical use. 1986 China stopped its production Director Li Chaojin said that it altogether. is the Chinese government's policy With the co-operative support to prohibit the planting of opium of the UN Fund for Drug Abuse poppy and combat the illegal Director Li said that the Control (UNFDAC) and the making, trading and transporting Chinese government has consist• World Health Organizafion, a of poisonous substances. ently upheld the basic principle drug dependence research centre In a relatively brief period after that the two international conven• was established in the Beijing the founding of the People's tions must be acted upon by all Medical University. In 1986, Republic, China eliminated opium countries and it must be sponsored jointly by China and smoking, an addiction left over guaranteed that narcotics are the World Health Organization, a from the old society, and tightened provided only for medical and training class was held on the control over medical-use research use to prevent abuse of rational use of depressants and narcotics. these drugs. sedatives in clinical practice. Since the beginning of the In 1985 China joined the United Officials concerned also talked 1980s, .China has effectively co• Nations' "1961 Narcotics Single with their American counterparts operated with international narco• Convention" and the "1971 Drugs on international narcotics control tics control organizations. After Convention." In 1986 China and strengthening bilateral co• their visit to China in 1983, reviewed its narcotics control operation in this field. Chinese ipteFqa^^nal narcotic drugs con• work and drew up new regulations and French anti-contraband de• trol ,l>oard officials declared that for tightening controls. For partments jointly sponsored a China's goal of narcotic drugs example, its regulations on the training class and co-operation control is identical with the goal of supply of narcotics for serious between Guangzhou Customs and the international narcotics control cancer patients meet the patients' its Hong Kong counterpart has convention.* Only a limited needs and effectively prevented been strengthened. abuse. The official stressed that the China has worked out its plan 40th General Assembly adopted a * The "1961 Single Convention on for the production, supply and use resolution on drawing up a new Narcotics" involves 115 participating of narcotics strictly in accordance convention for prohibiting of countries. But 141 countries and regions with medical needs. In 1986, the narcotic drugs and for convening have provided the International Narcotics Control Board (13 experts) with relevant production of major narcotics in an international ministerial con• figures on the production, manufacture, China was as follows: opium for ference on the same issue. The consumption, import and export and medical use, 13 tons; dolantin, Chinese government has studied storage of narcotics. The "1971 Drugs 1,381 kilogrammes; codeine, 795 the new draft convention and the Convention" involves 84 contracting kilogrammes; and morphine, 8 main documents of international nations, with more than 120 countries kilogrammes. conference, and put forward its providing the figures. Besides allowing medical use of opinions on revisions. The The world consumed 190 tons of opium Chinese government will, as last year, of which 12 tons were used by dolaniin with little addictive China. Considering China's population, a effect, China actively develops always, co-operate with intern• quarter of the world's total, that amount is new varieties of dolantin which are ational organizations to combat relatively small. highly efficacious but still less dMg'trafficking. g

22 BEiJlNG REVIEW, NO. 11 Divorce: Traditional Ideas Receding

by Our Correspondent Wu Naltao

n the absence of exact figures on husbands unreasonablly but per• is found in most divorces in this I divorce. Ma Yuan, deputy- sistently suspected their wife's country. It is in feudal ideology president of the Supreme People's fidelity, reflecting the discredited that the causes for ittost of the Court, estimated that the annual sense that a woman is the man's divorces are to be found, and the number of divorce cases handled possession. Fifteen other cases historical task of ehminating by various courts recently was involved maltreatment of wives feudal ideas has not yet been about 400,000, similar to the who "were discovered" not to be completed. average for the 50s, 60s and 70s. virgins upon marriage. Although divorce accounted for It is worth noting that the Most Plaintiffs Are Women about one-third of all civil, survey was not conducted in the criminal and economic legal cases, remote and backward country• The essence of the feudal their number has been stable side, but in the modern metropoUs concept towards marriage is that throughout. of Tianjin, which is counted as man is superior to woman and the The divorce rate in China is having a highly developed culture latter is his property. In a divorcfe lower than in some Western and economy. the wife s'ufTers more from gossip, countries, still some new trends In the rural areas, where the carries more of the burden of chi d have aroused much interest. economic and cultural levels are rearing and has more trouble An analysis of divorce cases comparatively low, the remaining remarrying. Still, about 70 percent reveals that changes have taken effects of mercenary marriage like of those bringing divorce suits are place in women's thinking as a selling a daughter and arranged women. result of their rising status in the marriage still remain. Since the promulgation of the political and economic spheres Among divorces known person• first rnarri^ge law in 1950, women and the upgrading of their ally to the reporter, a considerable have been the ones usually to bring education. Traditional acceptance proportion involved the maltreat• the divoipe case. However, their of a life-long marriage to one man ment of wives after giving birth to reasons have changed. Women in whether she loves him or not has a daughter, and groundless the 1950s and 60s appealed to the begun to fade out. More and more accusations of infidelity against court for a divorce niairily to undo women have the ability and the wife. They involved workers, arranged and mercenary mar• courage to appeal to the law and farmers, cadres and intellectuals. riages imposed on thetn^ 'InJ^recent make a second choice in marriage One couple, both teachers in a years, women have sbugHt"d''lnore if the first one was unhappy. college, married by mutual genuine equality and a more love- agreement. But the wife, Wang, based marriage. found that her husband wanted Li, a woman worker of 36, left Away From Feudal Ideas her to devote most of her time and her engineer huslpand and her energy to household chores, and family though there was nothing Professor Wu Changzhen, pre• supporting his career. He would outwardly wrong, because she sident of the China Marriage and frequently find fault with her and could no longer bear the coldness Family Research Institute, even beat her when she did not of hei- ma,rital hfe. She said: "I was blamed most divorce cases on the measure up. ' deternnined to divorce or die," In effects of feudal thinking and old- Some people wonder >*hether recent years, the ailienation of fashioned customs. the increased number of hasty mutual affection aiid a lack of A survey of 100 divorce cases marriages and divorces among the sharing in married life has become out of a total 589 handled by the young has been brought about by one of the major reasons for Hexi District People's Court in Western ideas of sexual liberation. divorce. Tianjin City in 1984 showed that As an ideology, sexual liberation 41 involved brutal wife battering in the West is basBd on Most Are Young People by husbands who took this abandoning the sense that a violation of the laws as their right, couple owns each othier and on An overwhelming majority of There were 28 cases wjierg hedoijism. However, none of that those applying for divorce are

MARCH 16, 1987 23 m ARTICLES under 35. Of the 349 divorce cases both the partners. The more aware examinations by the court. People handled by the people's courts of young people have a better have even had to file a divorce suit six districts and counties in Beijing understanding of the greater six times. Many such people in 1985, 75.9 percent of the parties possibilities of a marriage than groan: "You cannot win a suit were under 35 and those who older people. They do not want to unfil you've shed a skin" registered their divorce with the stay in a miserable marriage where A lawyer named Li has civil affairs departments were also there is no love. Even society's represented many troubled cases young for the most part. opinion and the sake of their in the court, but he himself is Yang Youying, working with children cannot stop them from trapped in a "lifeless marriage." the civil section of the Xinjiekou divorcing. They treasure the love He said: "Although there is the Subdistrict Office, said: "Only marriage more than has been seen new marriage law, China has not where both partners want a in China before, posing a gone as far as drawing a clear line divorce do they come to our office. challenge to the age-old tra• between law and virtue. If I sue for Many young poeple think it is ditional loveless marriage. a divorce, it might be understood worth saving the 50 yuan on a that 1 was the kind who tired of court case and it is easier to come one woman today, and of the next here and exchange two marriage The Change Is Not Easy woman tomorrow. Li is forced to certificates for two divorce maintain his miserable marriage certificates before they say good• for the sake of his career. The first marriage law pub- bye to each other." Hshedin 1950 stipulated: "Divorce Many who want to divorce are Of the 100 cases handled by the shall be granted when husband put into a dilemma, prey to the Western District Court in Beijing, and wife both desire it." By 1953 feudal ideas in society's opinion 60 percent of the people involved 1.2 million couples had been and people's gossip. In spite of the were under 35; of them, 73 couples released from arranged or other fact that mutual love is the only were married with the help of a go- feudal marriages carried out acceptable foundation for a between; 50 couples had known against their will. However, since marriage and is confirmed in law, each other for less than one year it will be resisted by deep-rooted 1958, the courts have tended to before they married, 55 couples traditional ideas. take a more strict attitude towards had had a cold quarrelsome divorce insisting on "proper relationship «5ince they married reasons" such as serious conflicts and 43 of those found their between the two parties like Debate on Marriage Mores quarrels were over trifles and frequent quarrels, or if one partner money. Many young people fall in commits political or other serious love at first sight and hastily marry Unhke any other law, the 1980 mistakes. This meant that many before they get to know each other marriage law aroused feelings cases were rejected and some very well. around the country as soon as it divorces were delayed for more There ^re two different views was published. In the spring of than 20 years. about the current state of the 1981, a simple divorce case caused Since the beginning of the ChinesS'family in academic circle. a great stir. The wife sued for 1980s, people have sought affec• One view says most family divorce from her decent and kind tion and harmony in marriage relationships are good. The other husband because she felt there was more and more, they are wanting a view is that marriage is often no love between them. The common language and genuine maintained by factors other than magazine Democracy and Legal communication. The marriage law love, for example the interests of System that reported the story was revised in 1980 confirming the children. Both sides bring received, within three months, that love must be at the heart of a surveys to back up their points of more than 1,000 letters from its marriage. It sfipulates that divorce view. In one survey of 100 couples readers, ranging from' supreme shall be granted when a partner in Hangzhou City about 20 court judges to ordinary workers. applies for it in cases of complete maintain marriage only in name. Since then, public debate in'the alienation of mutual affection and They do not divorce because they press has continued. One such after mediation has failed. are under the invisible yoke of the debate "Merit or Feudal Ig• traditional "virtue" expressed as But it is difficult to carry out the norance?" was conducted by "remaining a devoted couple to law. The Chinese traditions, China's Women News in October the ertd of their lives," and "a opposing any divorce, protect a 1986. It was based on the highly- lifelong marriage with or without marriage without regard to the praised meritorious deeds of six love." Generally these couples are individuals involved. After women after their marriage. One above middle age. thousands of years this tradition of them had been faithfully dies hard and getting a divorce can devoted to her impotent husband Marriages sustained by these be very difficult. If it is a thorny for the eight years since the traditional morals are disasters for case, it needs two or. _ three wedding; some gave up their work

24 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 to look after their bed-ridden publicize their deeds was to spread thought that society should not parents-in-law or husband; one feudal thinking on marriage, interfere with people's private life took care of her in-laws for 23 advocating building a family at through the influence of public years after her husband died; and the expense of the woman, which opinion. A woman's choice should one was persuaded to wait for 15 is wrong. Others held that all these be respected and her deeds should years for her husband to be deeds were the embodiment of the not be categorized as "cultured" released from jail. virtues of the oriental women and or "feudal ignorance." The wide- Many letters said that to should be developed. Still others ranging debate continues. •

FACTS & FIGURES Income of Farmers on the Rise

i'e income of China's farmers The rate of income growth in phase of rapid development in the Tcontinued to grow in 1986. 1986 was steady, but lower than future. .According to a recent sample the 11.9 to 20.9 percent rates over In 1986, the structure of farm survey, per-capita farm income the previous six years (see Table income changed as follows: reached 424 yuan, 6.7 percent 1). 1. Per-capita cash income above the 1985 figure; allowing for increa.sed. In 1986, average annual inflation, real per-capita income in It has been predicted that money income reached 276 yuan, rural areas rose by 3.2 percent over during the period of the Seventh compared to 251 yuan in 1985, an 1985. Of this, income from Five-Year Plan (1986-90), average increase of 9.9 percent. Money production averaged 374 yuan, up farm income per capita will income as a share of total net 6.7 percent; and income from non• increase about 9 percent a year, 5 income increased from 63.1 productive activities 50 yuan,, up to 8 percentage points less than the percent in 1985 to 65 percent in 6.3 percent over 1985. Sixth Five-Year Plan period 1986. (1981-85). The main reason was The proportion of poor house• that during the Sixth Five-Year 2. Net farrh income increased as holds defined as those with Plan, the government had raised a result of the rise in prices for incomes of less than RMB 200 the prices for agricultural pro• agricultural and sideline products. yuan a year, fell from 12.2 percent ducts and introduced the responsi• In 1986, average annual per^apita in 1985 to 11.3 percent in 1986. bility system, which encouraged income from selling agricultural Households with an average individual and household initia• and sideline products increased annual per-capita income exceed• tive and expedited the growth of more than 10 yuan over last year. ing 500 yuan increased from 22.3 the rural economy during this percent to 25.2 percent during the period. Now the rate of growth 3. Income from secondary and same period. Of these, households has slowed as farmers find it tertiary industries increased. Be• with an average annual per-capita necessary to readjust their tween January and September income of 1,000 yuan or more economic activities and make 1986, average cash income from accounted for 3.4 percent. material preparation for another secondary and tertiary industries

Table I. Growth in Farm Income

Year 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

Average annual net income per capita RMB (yuan) 191.33 223.44 270.11 309.77 355.33 397,60 424.00 Increase over previous year (percent) 19.5 16.78 20.9 14.7 14.7 11.9 6.7

MARCH 16, 1987 25 ARTICLES

Table II. Rural Consumption Spending (Jan. to Sep., 1985 & 1986)

Years RMB yuan Percent

1986 1985 1986 1985

Categories of consumption spending: Food 66.57 57.30 40.6 40.6 Clothing 21.65 20.64 13.2 14.6 Housing 34.48 26.36 21.0 18.7 Fuel 2.42 2.43 1.5 1.7 Goods for daily use 29.77 26.81 18.1 19.0 Non-commodity expenditures 9.25 7.55 5.6 5.4 Total expenditure on consumption 164.14 141.09 100.00 100.00

reached 51.6 yuan per person, up Table III. Purchases of Durable Consumer Goods, Jan. to Sep. 1986. 7.7 yuan or 17.6 percent over the same period in 1985. Now Items Number (per 100 1985-86 growth rate per secondary and tertiary industries households) 100 households (percent) have become an important source of farm income. Bicycle 0.03 2.3 Sewing machine 2.43 97.3 4. Bank deposits increased. Wri&twatch 5.66 17.9 Between January and September Television set 0.08 1986, average bank deposits per capita reached 36.6 yuan, up 9.6 yuan or 35.5 percent from the same period in 1985. As income has increased, living other foods as part of total Construction of brick houses and standards have risen and cultural consumption goods purchased reinforced concrete houses, in activities have also increased. increased. In the first nine months particular, increased very rapidly. From January to September 1986, of 1986, pork purchases averaged 3. The share of commodity overall per-capita expenditures for" 28.7 kg. per capita, up 4.55 kg. or purchases as part of overall consumption was 164.14 yuan, up 19.3 percent over the same period consumption rose and the share of 23.05 yuan or 16.3 percent in 1985. self-sufficient production fell. compared to the same period of The amount of better quality Commodity expenditures rose to 1985. When adjusted for inflation, clothing materials purchased in• 63.7 percent in 1986, compared to the real increase was 9.4 percent. creased. During the first nine 60.2 percent in 1985, while The 1986 figures also show months of 1986, purchases of consumption of self-sufficient changes in pattens of consumption cotton cloth averaged 2.23 metres products fell from 39.8 percent to spending (see Table II). per capita, 4.7 percent less than the 36.3 percent. About 98 percent of previous year while purchases of commodity expenditures went for 1. Spending on food and chemical fabrics averaged 2.82 clothing, housing and daily-use clothing dropped. In the first nine metres per person, 10.2 percent goods of the total consumption months of 1986 expenditures for more than in 1985, and knitting funds. It reflects that in the rural food and clothing as a share of wool reached 0.04 kg. per capita, areas the traditional self- total consumption spending fell an increase of 13 percent. supporting and semi-self- from 55.3 percent to 53.7 percent Purchases of higher grade supporting economy is changing compared to the same period of durable consumer goods, especi• into a commodity economy. 1985, while spending on housing, ally household electrical app• 4. Consumption funds for fuel and consumer goods in• liances, also increased (see Table cultural activities increased. Be• creased from 39.4 percent to 40.6 III). tween January and September percent. Rural housing conditions also 1986, average spending on cul• 2. Consumption levels rose. In improved in 1986. Now the tural activities increased from 9.88 1986, farmers bought fewer grains farmers' housing areas have been yuan to 11.17 yuan, an increase of than in 1985 but purchases of enlarged, reaching 15m^ per 13.1 percent over the correspond- flour, rice, non-staple foods and person, Im^ more than in 1985. ing'f>eriod of 1985. •

26 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 m FROM THE CHINESE PRESS

values are the spiritual mainstay of the Chinese nation, and the Whither Should Chinese Culture Go? ideological basis for future progress. Change is constant. Culture is yield to outside forces. In personal always developing. The advan• "WENSHI ZHISHI" behaviour, it is reflected in tages of socialism and fine (Literary and Historical Studies) frugality, preseverance and traditions should be developed, courage, as an old Chinese saying and the cultural achievements of goes "Not luxurious though rich, the West should be absorbed. This not changeable though poor, and is the only way Chinese culture can hinese culture can develop in not subdued by force." These develop. • C three directions. The first is to become conservative and rigid — no future at all. The second is to discard all traditions and Western• ize completely. The third is to assimilate Western advanced cul• Grand Celebrations Should Be Stopped tural achievements while develop• ing its own outstanding traditions Chu E — wrote to the paper to tell at the same time, and to create a 'RENMIN RIBAO" what they saw in the Yicheng socialist culture with uniquely (People's Daily) County Chemical Fertilizer Plant Chinese characteristics. This is the in Shanxi Province. The factory only correct and promising path. held a ceremony for the compl• The cultures of developed and n recent years, extravagant etion of its 15-cubic-metre furnace developing countries differ great• I celebrations and commemora• on December 5, 1986. More than ly. The dominance of science and tive activities have come into 400 guests were present at the technology in developed countries vogue in China, causing enormous ceremony. The whole factory, makes it difficult for developing waste in manpower and money. over 200 officials and workers, countries to resist their influence. These have become a subject of stopped production to give a But the independence of a nation's much discussion, and many banquet in honour of the culture will be lost if it follows and people wrote to the press to distinguished visitors, spending imitates others blindly and loses criticize this phenomenon. more than 5,000 yuan, not sight of its own customs. Such a On October 5, 1986 this paper including the gifts handed out the nation can then lose its inde• reported that the Wuhan Boiler guest and other costs. pendence as well. This is a serious Factory was decorated with problem. colourful flags and flowers to Reader Fang Xing said in his Except for food, many aspects celebrate the 30th anniversary of letter that since 1985 more and of Chinese Ufe today, such as the factory. Among the 236 guests more factories and schools in dressing, housing and communic• invited to attend the celebrations Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, ation, are influenced by the West were Hubei provincial and Wuhan were holding various kinds of to varying degrees. Chinese municipal leaders, all the former celebrations. The costs vary from painting and music are coexisting directors, deputy directors, Party several thousand yuan to several with Western ones. Sciences like secretaries and deputy Party hundred thousand yuan. For acoustics, optics and electronics secretaries of the factory, promi• example, the Xiangtan Cen• have taken root in China, and nent boiler factory leaders from trifugal Machine Factory spent Western and traditional Chinese around the country and leaders of about 40,000 yuan on celebrating medical techniques are both being related universities and its 20th anniversary on September used in tandem to improve health companies. 29 last year. The Xiangtan Diesel care. During the three-day celebr• Engine Plant invited more than Are any aspects of Chinese ations, the factory held a mass 180 guests to mark its 30th culture worth preserving? The meeting and three forums. The anniversary. After the dinner answer is "yes, many." One is the factory leaders and medium-rank party, each guest received a traditional value placed on cadres idled away most of their present. The Xiangtan Electrical making unceasing efforts to time in receptions and pleasure- Machinery Plant also distributed improve oneself. In international seeking. According to incomplete invitations for two banquets relations, it manifests itself as the statistics, the factory wasted over celebrating the 50th anniversary of patriotic tradition to maintain 250,000 yuan on this. its founding, thereby spending a national independence and not Two readers ^Zheng Fen and lot of money. •

MARCH 16. I9K7 27 •1 FROM THE CHINESE PRESS

making research plans according Scientific Research Needs 6 Ciianges to market needs. Sixth, replace traditional nega• tive attitudes towards business "JINGJI RIBAO" allowed to get more rewards. with enthusiasm to serve {Economic Daily) Fifth, replace state planning economic development, and com• and assignment of projects with bine research with production. •

Prospects of Beijing Population Growtii he establishment of collectively Tand individually ow^ned re• "XUEXI YU YANJIU" According to international search organizations is an in• standards, if over 10 percent of a (Study and Research) dicator of reform in China's population in a certain place is scientific and technological man• over 60, then that place has an agement system. It represents a eople make a city. They are a "old society." At present, Beijing break from the old rigid Pfundamental factor deciding has 900,000 people aged over 60, conceptions and will serve as a the city's economic and social occounting for 9.4 percent of the fillip to both research and development. By the year 2000, population. In 1990, the number production, Zeng Xianlin, vice- how many people will Beijing of old people will be l.I million. minister of the State Scientific and have? By year 2000, the number of the Technological Commission, told The draft plan for Beijing's old may be 1.6 million, reaching 15 representatives of such organiz• overall urban construction, ap• percent of the total populaton, ations when they met together for proved by the Party Central Com• making Beijing a truly old-age the first time in a Beijing forum on mittee in July 1983, says: By the city. February 10. year 2000, the population of the Moreover the proportion of Zeng praised the participants as municipality should be no larger young people will be less due to bold reformers in the scientific than 10 million and that of the family planning and the increased field and stressed six outdated urban areas should be kept within proportion of old people. In the conceptions which must be broken 4.5 million. next 15 years, the number of if scientific and technological re• But by the end of 1985 the young labourers (aged between 16 forms are to be speeded up. population Beijing was already and 25) in Beijing will come down First, replace protectionism supporting was about 11 million, by 600,000, or an average annual with competition on equal foot• 9.58 million permanent residents decrease of 40,000 to 50,000. ing. Let state departments free and the rest migrant or temporary scientific research institutions and residents. Estimates are that relinquish administrative control Beijing's permanent residents will over them. Badly-run institutions exceed 10 million in 1988, and could be leased or contracted out reach 11.5 million by the end of the to competent administrators and century. Including the migrants, scientists. the capital will have to support Second, replace the old system over 13.5 milHon people by year of ranking institutions into 2000. different grades with the concept According to 1985 statistics, the of a commodity economy. Re• number of permanent residents in search institutions should become the urban areas was 5.15 million, economically independent, self- 14 percent more than the planned managing, and solely responsible figure for the year 2000. Along for their own profits or losses. with the migrant population and Third, replace state subsidies temporary residents in the urban with the principle of making areas, the total population was money by marketing technolog• about 6.3 million. Some experts ical products. expect that by year 2000 the Fourth, replace the concept of number of permanent residents in equal pay for everyone with the the urban areas will be 6.5 million, concept of "more work, more that of migrant population and pay." Scientists, technicians and temporary residents about 2 workers who help their insti- million, the total number being Taking Shelter From the Rain.

tufions make money should be about 8.5 miiliDn. ZHOU ZHONGHUA

28 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 m BUSINESS/TRADE ••——

for use in Malaysia. The Bohai Oil Sino-Foreign Oil Drilling Advances Co. Oil Rigs Manufacturing Factory has won a contract from the State Oil Construction Corp. espite an oil price slump on the The Wei 10-3 Oilfield at Beibu of Abu Dhabi to weld pipeline D international market, China Gulf, South China Sea, experien• frameworks. made headway in developing its ced several typhoons since it went The China National Offshore offshore oil industry. into operation last August, but Oil Corp. has contracted to Prospecting. In 1986 Chinese has remained intact. It is expected reinforce oil wells and build scientists prospected 53,000 kilo• to produce 300,000 tons of oil this ports for different localities. metres of seismic belt and drilled year. Oil contracts. In 1986 China 31 exploratory wells. Seventeen IVIarketing. China has secured signed five oil contracts and one exploratory wells have reported agreements with its partners on physical prospecting agreement oil and gas flow and 10 of the 23 the joint marketing of Chinese with foreign businesses. areas prospected have been crude oil in the international Thus far, China has signed 33 verified as oil- and gas-bearing market. In 1986 the Chengbei contracts with 58 firms in 12 structures. A total of US$310 Oilfield sold 61,800 tons of oil to countries for offshore oil drilling million and 230 million yuan Japan and the quality was proved covering 150,000 square kilo• RMB went into offshore oil satisfactory. metres. It has conducted seismic prospecting. Weizhou crude oil is known for belt surveys in area stretching out Oil production. In 1986 China's its high quality. Many Japanese, to 320,000 kilometres, drilled 141 offshore oilfields produced a total US and Singapore companies oil wells (oil and gas were of 375,000 tons of oil; 168,000 tons have sent orders; some even discovered from 54 of them), and from the Chengbei Oilfield, proposed, contracts for regular explored oil structures at 105 160,000 tons from the Weizhou supply of the oil. In 1986 Weizhou places (oil and gas contents were Oilfield, and 47,000 tons from the sold 160,000 tons of crude oil to discovered from 31 places). Today No. 8 Oil Rig at Bohai Bay. two French companies and the one oilfield has been put into Oil flow at zone B of the South China Sea Western Oil Co. operation, one oilfield is in trial Chengbei Oilfield. a Sino- Foreign contracts. The China operation and another one is Japanese co-operative project, has National Offshore Oil Corp. has under construction. Investment remained stable since it went 25 contract companies and 13 involved in offshore oil prospect• into operation a year ago. The others run in co-operation with ing and development in the last six zone A project will be completed foreign businesses. They under• years totalled US$2.42 billion and and go into operation in the take not only Chinese projects but 400 milHon yuan RMB. second quarter of this year. In also projects abroad. The oil by Zhao Zi 1987 the Chengbei Oilfield is drilling vessels of the South China expected to produce 300,000 tons Sea Western Oil Co. have been of oil. leased out to a French company Bids Sought for Shanghai Tunnels Oil rigs at Boliai Bay's Tianjin Cliengbei Oiineld. LI JILU nternational tenders are being I invited for three tunnel-digging contracts for the first-phase of the water treatment project in Shan• ghai, funded by a loan from the World Bank. One may apply for one or all of the contracts, but only applications which conform to the requirement of the World Bank's purchase guide will be considered. Applications may be filed until 10 am of May 9 this year. These bids are being invited by the Shanghai Foreign Economic and Technical Co-operation Corp. According to the corporation's deputy general

MARCH 16, 198,7 29 BUSINESS/TRADE manager, Jin Bogeng, more than Asia as it is from either Hong Consultant Centre from Hong 70 companies from the United Kong or Tokyo. Also because the Kong bought 5,000 each. States, Britain, France, Federal Japa-nese yen and the US dollar by Li Xueruo and Gong Yu Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary have revalued, Beijing has become and Hong Kong have contacted more attractive. the Shanghai corporation for Ecolaire has been active in Asia Beijing to Host qualification. for 15 years. It established The water treatment project is a business relations with China in Fashion Fair large project in the city's five-year 1982, and has provided two hina's first fashion fair is plan (1986-90). The treated water 300,000 kw generating sets for the Cscheduled to open on May 1 of the Suzhou and Huangpu Shiheng Power Plant in Shandong this year in Beijing. Rivers will be diverted into the sea Province, and a 600,000 kw Several hundred Chinese through underground tunnels. It is generating set for the Pingwei clothes designing units, printing expected that the water quality of Power Station in Anhui Province. and dyeing factories, and pro• the Suzhou River will be greatly As part of the company's ducers of clothing, knitwear and improved and the pollution rate of commitment to the China market, garment fabrics will attend the fair the Huangpu River reduced by 46 Ecolaire participated in the power and present over 10,000 of their percent. • exhibition held in Beijing March new designs. To help purchasers 10-16 this year. make their choices, fashion shows by Yao Jianguo will also be given during the fair. The fair will be sponsored by the US Company Asian Beijing Fashion Club and 100 HQ in Beijing other units. Some business people IVIembrane: from Japan, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Britain, Hong Kong major US-based multinational IVIuch Sought After and Macao have already applied A supplier of capital equipment to participate in the fair. The for electric generation, Ecolaire, he electronic antiphlogistic and deadline for signing up is April 10. announced on March 6 that it has Tanalgesic membrane is a established its Asian headquarters high quality product of the Beijing in Beijing. This is the first dme in a Engineering Institute. Use in Trade News in Brief long time that an American several Beijing hospitals shows company has chosen China as the that the membrane's success rate • The China Geological Tech• centre of its Asian operation. in treating acute tissue injuries is nology Import and Export Corp. The Ecolaire Inc. Beijing Office 92 percent and for chronic tissue has signed more than 20 joint will be responsible for co• damage is 87 percent. It is also venture contracts with companies ordinating all Ecolaire's business effective for healing bone frac• from over 10 countries and regions activities in China's mainland, tures, angina, period pains, and since its founding in December Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, masfitis. Clinical use in Italy 1985. Involving investment of South Korea, Thailand, Sin• proved 90 percent successful. It is US$180 million, these projects gapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the also being used at the Swedish concern the exploitation and Philippines and India. Geneva State Hospital. processing of diatomaceous earth, According to Roy Wennerholm The membrane won a gold prize graphite, kaolin, marble and Jr., the chairman of Ecolaire, the at the 35th Eureka Scientific diamond, as well as the manu• company once planned to es• Innovation Fair last November facturing of geological prospect• tablish its Asian headquarters in and has recently received its patent ing equipment and tools. The Singapore. But when it discovered number from the China Patent Chinese side undertakes to the progress China was making in Office. contribute 50 percent of the total power development Ecolaire deci• It is being ordered by companies investment. ded to choose Beijing. in Hong Kong and a dozen other The corporation has also signed "Beijing is becoming very countries including the Federal more than 130 import and export advanced. It is now possible to Republic of Germany, Belgium, contracts worth US$30 million easily contact almost any other Japan, Sweden and the United with foreign businesses. Imports part of Asia from Beijing by telex, States. The Diemers Corp. from handled by the corporafion telephone and facsimiles," said the Federal Republic of Germany include large computers and rare Wennerholm. He added that has contracted for 10,000 mem• metal smelting technology, and nights out of Beijing are now very branes. Before this the George the goods exported by the convenient and it is as easy to get Grimble & Co. Ltd. and the Tin corporation include granite, mar• from Beijing to other places in Yau HerbalisL Medical Massage ble, diamond and rare metals.

30 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. II m CULTURE/SCIENCE •••••••••••••••••••

Culture Show: Reviving Li Traditions

ools for primitive farming, T boat-shaped houses, cross- stitched cotton pieces and bamboo products — everything is on show here, representing the cultural tradition of the Li, one of China's national minorities. The show is the first ever hosted by the Ethnological Museum of China, which is still partly under construction. All 700 exhibits were collected by a group of researchers working on Hainan Island, the home of China's more than 800,000 Li people. The Lis are well known for their long traditions and colourful customs, but these are fast disappearing as a modern life style takes over. Weaving silk In the traditional LI way. XU XIANGJUN The researchers, mostly from Beijing and other cities, worked Others showed them their tools for Also on show are tools for rice for three months, visiting Li farming, hunting and fishing. Old growing. In spring, weeds are cut villages to find ardfacts that women demonstrated husking of down with a special axe. For represent the Li's traditional way rice in a traditional way — planting, a man digs holes with a of life and work. The local people standing around a barrel carved stick, while a woman follows him were very co-operative. Many of out of a huge log, five of them putting in the seeds. To frighten them put on the fancy costumes pounded rythmically. away birds after the rice begins to they would wear on holidays. One farm implement on show is grow, a slingshot and a drumming These clothes are made of coarse a plough made especially for board are used. The rice remains fabric, and are decorated with working on mountain slopes. This unattended until harvest time, various designs and ornaments. is still used in some remote areas. when the woman uses a small knife attached to her hand to reap the

Bamboo dance: celebrating a Li festival. XU XIANGJUN crop. She carries it home on a shoulder-pole. For pestling, she either has a pound or simply uses her feet. The model Li house is also very attractive. It is made of bamboo, ^ ^% "5 1--,• board and straw in the shape of a boat. There are no windows, but a door at each end. The furnishings are mostly made of vines, coconut shells and bamboo. Outside the house, a chicken coop hangs from the wall, and a pigsty is nearby. The cattle shed is placed at the edge of the village. Even private storehouses are built outside the village. Young adults usually live separately from their parents in their own rooms both before and after marriage.

MARCH 16, 1987 31 CULTURE/SCIENCE

Perhaps the biggest attraction Li people are also demonstrated. 1952. The prefecture is an organ of of the whole exhibition is the In the past marriages were self-government under provincial varied and colourful fabric used arranged by their parents when administration, and this has by the Li people for their clothes, their children were still very enabled the Li people to handle sheets, curtains, etc. The fabric is young. A video shows a young their own affairs within the made on a very primitive loom. It man standing outside a girl's Constitution. is recorded that as early as 2,000 house, singing songs and playing a "Our working trip to Hainan years ago the Li people sent their flute. He is waiting for his made us realize the urgency of home spun products as tribute to sweetheart's invitation to go in. salvaging the country's various emperors of China, the Middle Extemporized singing is a national traditions and history," Kingdom. The Li sheets, skirts favourite pastime of the Lis. says one researcher. "They have and other products were famous preserved their ancient arts and during the Song Dynasty (960— Having co-existed with the Han these are very valuable for 1279). Unfortunately very few of people for centuries, most Lis can research work. Once the few the Li's traditional clothes, speak Han dialect. The Hainan Li people who still have the skills embroidery, plaited ware, cloth and Miao Autonomous Prefecture pass away, the traditions will die printing, dyeing, carving, pottery was founded on Hainan Island in out, too." • and porcelain have survived. Most of the designs on the exhibits are of distorted human and animal figures. Simple and primitive, they have a special Chinese Paddiers Triumph appeal to the modern taste. One photograph shows an old woman ears poured down the cheeks of can and new star Teng Yi. In the of over 70 who can fashion 80 or Ttop seed Jiang Jialiang singles semi-finals, Waldner more needlework designs. The after he defeated Swede Jan-Ove beat Teng Yi a straight 3-0, viewers are reminded of the 13th- Waldner in singles final of the leaving the Chinese player speech• century weaver, Huang Daopo, 39th World Table Tennis Tourna• less on the bench for a long time who introduced some of the Li's ment held in New Delhi from Feb. after his fall. Being a Western weaving techniques to central 18 to March 1. They were tears of hand-shake style holder, China. Experts believe these joy, both for his personal victory, Waldner's serves are even more figures reflect the Li people's and for proving China's supre• Chinese. He practised the Chinese respect for their ancestors; they macy despite the understatement quick, close-to-table style for a also indicate the central role of of the news media in China. It's long time during his training in hunting in their early history. The not easy for a team to maintain its China, and his powerful loop drive researchers noted that not many superiority for many years. Each is awesome to every Chinese people on the island wear the old time the Chinese paddlers have player. Chinese coach Xi Enting costumes now. However, the Li had to show their perfect form to said Waldner was at the peak people do insist that the clothes be make a clean or a near-clean sweep of his career. He is almost put on them after their death to be of the gold medals at stake. This unshakable if he performed his top certain of being accepted by those year in New Delhi they pocketed 6 form. However, his momentum who dwell in heaven. of the 7 golds. The grand fall of was stopped first by Jiang's will One section of the exhibition China's men's and women's teams power, and then, Jiang's conscious covers the Li's practice of at Asian games last year put the skills. tattooing, which was popular paddlers under intense scrutiny by In the first game, Jiang Jialiang among women. They tattooed the world's largest nation of ping- started out with a 1-4 loss in the their faces, necks, bosoms and pong fans and in the spotlight of first five serves and lost 14-21 to arms in their early teens as China's newspapers, magazines, Waldner. He couldn't get behind decorations and as symbols of radio and TV screens. Most of the his forehand smashes while their family origins. Nowadays media predicted an "unpredic• Waldner's loop drive and back• this habit has died out except in table future" for the team before hand smashes looked effortless. some remote areas, where the old the tournament and thus cast a However, Jiang said after winning still carry tattoos. The researchers large dark cloud over fans as well the match, 'T was sure of my videotaped the tattooing process. as over paddlers themselves. control over the match the A needle is used to scratch a design Jiang Jialiang vs. Jan-Ove moment after • losing the first on the skin, and charcoal soot is Waldner was a real match. Before game." In the second game, Jiang rubbed into it. When the blood he met Jiang in the finals, Waldner began to show his tricks and then dries, the tattoo is ready. bulldozed two of China's ace his power. When Waldner served Courtship rituals among young players, seednd seed Chen Lbng^i Jiang returned with smashes time

32 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 and again and jumped into the air or clenched his left fist when he added one more point. In the third game, Jiang waved his fist in the air, stared at Waldner, mopped his sweat at improper times and stamped his feet — waging a psychological war with Waldner, who, at the other side of the table, looked like a mere shadow of himself. Waldner lost quickly by a margin of 11-21. During the fourth game which would decide his destiny, Waldner seemed to discover his feel again and performed in top form. He led all the way until 20-16 when it seemed the applause would bring down the Indira Gandhi Stadium for the Swede. It was just about then, however, that Jiang, the defending champion, showed his stuff. He paused for a second, took the towel to dry his sweat and then felt the table with his right hand for two seconds as if he was determined to make a "big kill." He served and then, to everyone's surprise, he waged an all-out attack instead of defending his ground, as most people thought he would. He smashed from both flanks when he had the slightest opportunity. His tactic paid off and resulted in a 20-20 draw with Waldner. Following that there were draws of 2! -21 and 22-22 but Jiang never stopped his attack until he won the title by 24-22. "It was Jiang Jialiang's fighting spirit that we are really pleased China's doubles champions hold up the regained cup, lost to the Europeans for with," said Li Furong, China's many years. national coach for the last 11 years. expense of the Chinese," he said, marked a turning point in Of the seven golds at stake, only shaking his head, "unbelievable." Europe's efforts to catch up with the women's doubles title escaped Despite all the titles in his China. "Because they (the Eu• China's pocket. South Korea's pocket, China's coach is still ropeans) are more physically fit Yang Young Ja and Hyun Jung pessimistic about the team's than we are, we had great Hwa prevailed in the women's future. Chinese coach Xi Enting difficulty with them in finals and doubles, against Dai Lili and Li said, "China is still the strongest the last few rounds." It's especially Huifen. After the match, Yang team overall because of the wide true in the men's doubles where said she had expected to win variety of players they can field, Chen Longcan looked very weak despite dropping the first game. but they cannot maintain superi• physically while playing doubles "Li was China's weak link, and ority in every event as they did with Wei Qingguang to drag back once I took care of her, the match before." the doubles title lost to European was ours," she said. But the South South Korean and European players for many years. Korean coach was less relaxed players figured in all four of the Women's singles final didn't about the triumph. "To win our finals played on March 1. Xi said lack interesting scenes for the maiden doubles trophy at the the New Delhi Chanipjop^hips , participation of South Korea's

MARCH 16, 1987 33 • CULTURE/SCIENCE

Yang Young Ja. Yang lost all the victory for Chinese coach but bad However, when the 28-year-old matches, including every single luck for the Swede. After the Swede Ulf Carlson went into the game to Chinese players before the South Korean team, who beat court he found he not only missed individual events started. Yet, she Chinese team in the Asiad last Chen, but also had to meet with dropped all the Chinese rivals on year, was dumped on the way first world No. 1 Jiang Jialiang as the the way to the finals in individual by Swedish team and then by first Chinese to play for the team events. Her stolid psyche and China's Taibei team, the Swedish event. Usually a top player is put powerful backhand lash were team confronted the Chinese team in second to play in the team event impressive. A ping-pong fan in in the finals to no one's surprise. so as to make up for the first Beijing who watched Yang in To confuse their rival, Chinese possible loss. Since it was women's singles semi-finals, do• coach Xu Shaofa said in his diary, impossible for Carlson to beat ubles and singles finals said, "If it he put Chen Xinhua, China's only Jiang, the situation soon turned were not for Yang's exhaustion in defensive player and China's favourable to the Chinese team. In one day, China's He Zhili might oldest player in warm-up exercise addition to their bad luck, the have had some difficulty." because the Swedes are afraid of Swedish top player Jan-Ove defensive players. Chen won Waldner had a high fever and almost all his matches against one could not play, so the Chinese beat Secret War Behind the loss to Ulf Carlson with Swedes the Swedish team in an easy 5-0 Screen before, so they had to field a match in the men's team title. The men's team title has been a special player to deal with Chen. by Zhao Zonglu

Improve Your Health, Live Longer

Books to help people prevent and Chen Style Taijiquan cure diseases, build up their physique (in English) and prolong life. No pills, no Coleccion artes marciales de stimulants, just gentle and refreshing China: exercises easy to learn and do. "Taijiquan" Simplificado (in Portuguese) How to Order: 0 liangong em 18 exercicios (in Portuguese) Readers in China con order at the Secuencia de Taijiquan, en 88 WAIWEN SHUDIAN (Foreign Language ejercicios (in Spanish) Bool

34 BEIJING REVIEW, NO. 11 /r '4 {I S? pj;, ='T ^, .5; s E- *

Mountain Village. In Praise of Autumn.

Traditional Chinese Paintings by Shen Jianyi Shen Jianyi, born in Shanghai in 1 957, works as an art editor in the Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House. He specializes in using free• style landscape, flower and bird paintings to reflect current aesthetic standards. "TRIANGLE'Stainless Steel Flatware, ooking Utensils and Household Appliances

^ m

TRIANGLE BRAND

Durable and attractive "TRIANGLE" brand utensils are made of high-quality stainless steel. They have been ex• ported to more than 100 countries by the Tianjin Branch of the China National Light Industrial Products Import & Export Corp.

The flatware is available in many patterns and comes in six-pc, 24-pc, 30-pc, 43-pc and 50-pc collections beauti• fully packaged. Kitchen items such as teastrainers and coffee- makers are also offered. Cooking utensils are also available in a wide range of designs and specifications. Saucepans, large pots, soup tureens, fruit bowls, ashtrays, and sets of pots and pans are some of items from which you may select.

Full specifications are avail• able upon request. Orders for specific items are welcomed.

CHINA NATIONAL LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS IMPORT & EXPORT CORP.. TIANJIN BRANCH 172 LIAONING ROAD, TIANJIN, CHINA Cable: "INDUSTRY" TIANJIN Telex: 23142 TJLIP CN