Vol. 25, No. 50 December 13, 1982
A CHINESE WEEKTY OF NEWS AND VIEWS
o New Constitution Adopted by NPC
o Chino's Success in the 9th Asion Gqmes HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK records. China did remarkably well, topping all other countries in gold medals tally for the first NPC Adopls China's New Premier Zhao to Visit Atilca time since it participated in the Games in 1974 (p. 30). Constitution Premier Zhao Ziyang will After a 6-month nationwide soon visit 10 African countries. Tibel's Traditional discussion among the people, a This is an important step to- Handicralt new Constitution was adopted wards strengthening China's at the 5th Session of the 5th unity and co-operation with In the 4th of a series of five National People's Congress other third world countries articles, our correspondent gives (p. 3). (p. 5). a report on carpet making in Gyangze, a city known as Peng Zhen. Vice-Chairman of Tibet's carpet centre (p. 28). the Committee for Revision of ln Memory of Dt. Kotnis the Constitution. gave a detail- An article by Jiang Yizhen. a ed explanation of the revised member of the Central Advisory Constitution (pp. 9-23). Commission and former Minister <>f Public Health, in memory oI fargets of 6th Five-Year Dr. D.S" Kotnis. an Indian doc- Plan tor who came to China to help l.he Chinese people in their fight In his report to the NPC. against Japanese aggression Premier Zhao announced the (p. 24). major targets of China's 6th Five-Year Plan for economic Asian Games and social development and put forward the measures taken to The 9th Asian Games cndcd ensure fulfilment of the plan in New Delhi r,r,ith the chalking The Nl'C rneeting hall. (p. 4). up of a number of nerv Asian Photo by Guo Jianshc
REVIEW Premier Zhoo to Visit 10 Afri- ln Memory of lnternotionolist BEIJING con Countries Fighter Dr. Kotnis Jiong Yi Zhen - 24 Tibet: An lnside View (lV)- Published every Mondoy by INTERNATlONAL 6-8 Developing troditionol hond- BEIJING REVIEW Beijing icrofts Our CorresPon- 24 Boiwonzhuong Rood, Coll for lmmediote Withdrowol - The People'1 Republic of Chino of Soviet Troops From Af- dent Jing Wei 28 ghoniston Ren Yon - CULTURE & SCIENCE 30-31 Vol,25, No, 50 December 13, 1982 GATT Conference-A Foilure - Zhong Toi CONTENTS New ltolion Government - EE|Jlltc BEVIEW (US$ lto. 650-110) is Zhong Qihuo published weekly for US$ 13.S0 por yoar by Beiiing Roviow, 24 Eaiwanrhuang Bmd, EVENTS & IRENDS 3.5 Boiiing, China. Socond-class postrg. poid ARTICLES & DOCUMENIS at San Fnncisco, CA. Postmastar: Slnd New Constitution Adopted address dranges to China Eook & Re- Mojor Torgets of 6th Five-Yeor Report on the Droft of the Prriodicals, lnc., 2929 24ih Stroot, San Plon vised Constitution of the Francisco, CA 94110. People's Republic of Chino Chino Supports Bonglodesh - Peng Zhen CiIINIA EV[I\'TS & II(ENIDS
the course of building a socialist POLITICAL material civilization therebY completing the contents of so- cialist construction. The deputies also stated that New Constitution Adopted people throughout the countrY trxrk part in the discussions of the draft and that oPinions A new Constitution of the founding of the People's Repub- Irom all quarters were canvass- People's Republic of China was lic. particularly since the Third ed. Such extensive democracY adopted by secret ballot at the Plenary Session of the 11th practically has no precedent, fourth plenary meeting of the Party Central Commitee. These they said. Fifth Session of the Fifth Na- experiences are now confirm- tional People's Congress on De- ed in legal form, to the satisfac- At the same meeting, a les- cember 4. The new Constitution tion of the workers, peasants, olution was adopted on the contains 138 articles in four intellectuals and people of all functions and powers of the chapters. walks of life nationwide. Standing Committee of the Pres- ent National People's Congress. After NPC Vice-Chairman Second. the four cardinal It stated: The Constitution of principles of adhering to the so- Peng Zhen reported on the re- the People's Republic of China cialist road, to the people's dem- vision of the Constitution on becomes effective immediatelY ocratic dictatorship, to the lead- November 26, deputies to the upon adoption. Prior to the ership of the Communist Party Fifth Session of the Fifth NPC election of the President and and to Marxism-Leninism and held panel discussions on the Vice-President of the People's Mao Zedong Thought have been First draft and raised many sugges- Republic of China at the incorporated into the Constitu- Session of the Sixth National tions for amending and supple- tion. These provide a guarantee menting it. People's Congress, the functions that our socialist construction and powers of the President of Many agreed that the new will advance akrng the correct the People's Republic of China Constitution is much improved. road. prescribed in the new Constitu- First, it has summed up the Third, it stresses building a tion cannot be carried out. historical experiences since the socialist spiritual civilization in These include: promulgating laws, appointing and removing State Council members, aPPoint- ing and recalling pleniPotenti- ary representatives stationed abroad, ratifying and abrogat- ing treaties and imPortant agreements concluded with foreign states and receiving foreign diplomatic representa- tives in purEuance of the deci- sions of the National PeoPle's Congress and its Standing Com- mittee. During this period, the current NPC Standing Commit- tee and its Chairman and Vice- Chairmen continue exercising their functions and powers as prescribed in the Constitution of 1978. The meeting also passed a res- Depulies casling ballois on lhe nerv Constitulion. olution to restot'e the original
December 13, 1982 words of the national an-them. three years. The 1982 budget between credit receipts and the March of the Volunteers will be balanced despite in- payments, between industry and (which were changed at the creases in expenditures, he said. agriculture and between the NPC in Malch 1978). light and heavy industries, and Wang added that the total will maintain stable prices. he revenue expected for 1983 will On December 1. Finance Min- said. 123.200 yuan, which ister Wang Bingqian made a be million report on the implementation of is 11.3 per cent above the esti- China's total industrial and the 1982 state budget and the mated revenue for 1982. Total agriculturql output value in at, draft budget for 1983. expenditure is budgeted 1981, the first year of the 6th 126,200 million yuan. with a Five-Year Plan, went up by 4.5 He said that 1982 saw a re- deficit of 3,000 million yuan. Ef- per cent over 1980 and an in- versal of the trend towards re- forts will be made to reduce crease of 5.7 per cent is expect- duced revenue over the past this deficit. ed in 1982. The Premier said that the country has an increas- ing supply oI commodities. con- siderably easing the shortage of ilajor Targets 0l 6th Five-Year Plan consumer goods. The several- year trend of steady decreases i,n state revenue has started to In the filst half of this decade. Grain: output is expected to change, and the balance of China will strive to achieve reach 360 million tons. an in- foreign exchange has been fundamental implovements both crease of 12.3 pel cent over 1980: favourable for two consecutive financiallS' and economically. years. according to Plemier Zha
4 Beijing Reoieu, No. 50 l til lNli\ AVEN'IS & TItENIDS
National Congress of the Com- munist Party of China. It shows that China attaches great inl- portance to developing its friendship and co-operation with African and third world countries, Premier Zhao said that the 12th National Congress of the CPC reiterated China's foreign policy, the basic point of which is China's unity and co-opera- tion with other third world countries. The objective of his coming visit to Africa is to learn from the African countries and Premier Zhao Zit-ang and l,resident ll.llt. Ershad hold talks. their peoples and to promote understanding, friendship and co-operation. The Premier operation in South Asia, He operation between China arrh also expressed the hope that Bangladesh conform to the in- said that he is looking forward exchanging views countries in South Asia, big or terests of the two peoples and to with the leaders of these 10 small, will treat each other as help maintain peace and sta- on the further develop- equals, live in fniendliness and bility in Asia. He also praised countries ment friendship co- develop regional co-operation. the government and people of of and operation between China and This is conducive not only to Bangladesh for theiq successes these countries and on issues of the social development of these in safeguarding national inde- common concern. countries but also to peace and pendence and state sovereignty stability in that region. and in developing their national The Premier also said that economy. President Ershad paid an of- he will exchange views with them how'to conduct eco- ticial visit to Chrina from No- During the President's stay in on nomic co-operation with the vember 27 to December 3 at Beijing. an agreement on a African countries so as to put the invitation of the Chinese ioan by the Government of the,sound political relations on Government. China to the Government of a solid economic basis. He ex- Bangladesh was signed on Zhao Ziyang praised Bang)a- pressed confidence that there November 29. desh for its active and impor- are broad prospects for tant role in international affairs developing economic co-opera- in recent years. He said that Premier Zhao to Uisit l0 tion between China and othet' Bangladesh adheres to an inde- third world countries. pgndent and non-aligned foreign lfrican Gounlries policy, upholds principles and justice and, opposes aggression Premier Zhao Ziyang will Morocco, and expansion. Bangladesh has visit Egypt, Algeria. Guinea, made efforts to improve its re- Zaire. the Congo, Zam- Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Iations with neighbouring coun- bia. tries on the basis of the Five Kenya in the near futurc. The Premier Principles of Peaceful Coexist- told diplomatic envoys to China ence and to strengthen its unity from these l0 Altican with other Islamic and third countries i,n Beijing on Decem- world countries. ber 4 that his coming tlip to Africa is an important diploma- Zhao Ziyang said that the tic step taken by the Chinese friendship and relations of co- Government following the 12th
Decembqr 13, 1982 rN'riRNrA'noNA[ RiPOitTS & COM,\AtlVfS lmmediate Withdrawa! of a third world, non-aligned Cal! for and Islamic country by a super- power, Representatives of some Of Soviet Troops From Afghanistan countries said that aggression by a larger military power against A FTER three days of hcated people and has strongly rejected a weak and small neighbouring / r debate. thc 3?th UN Gener- the Soviet pretexts and ration- country can no longer be al Assembly on November 29 alizations for its aggressive ac- tolerated. adopted by an overwhelming tion. Many UN members have majority a resolution calling for also stressed that the Soviet in- Correct Politicol Settlement the immediate withdrawal of vasion of Afghanistan is the One current trend worth not- foreign troops Irom Af ghani- root cause of the tensions in ing is the tricks by which the stan. Southwest Asia that have made Soviet Union is attempting to this region a new I'ocal point of The resolution. the fourth of extricate itself from its Afghan international conllict. The So- quagmire. By its kind since Soviet trcrcps in- emphasizing other viet Government has obstinate- major world events to vaded Afghanistan in 1978, rvas it tries lv refused to inrplen,enl the UN dlaw attention away from the approved by :r vote of ll4 to 21 resolutions den-randing Sovict Afghan questior-r. hoping in- with 13 abstentions. It once thc rvithdrawal h'om Afghanistan. again showed the international ternational community will It also reluses to abandon its torget community's strong demand for this issue. On the other southward thlust strategy. Its hand. it glibly ploposes a "polit- an end to the military aggres- invasion onl1' violates the ical settlement" the Afghan sion and occupation of Alghani- not to principles o1' Chartcr'. ploblem as a ruse to di.sguise its stan by the Soviet Union. the UN but also serioush, .jeopaldizcs the intended permane'n1 occupation rrI Common Condemnotion peace and .securitl, of the rvorld. Afghanistan. of Southwest Asia i:r particular'. Most of the international The Soviet lepresentativr. to community has condemned The question of ALghanistan the UN described the August 24, Moscow for its invasion and is, in essence, one oI armed in- 1981 proposal of the Karmal re- cruel suppression of the Alghan vzrsion trnd militaly occupation gin're as a "sound basis" and ''opportuni.ty" for political set- tlement of the Afghan question. However. this proposal calls the foreign invasion an "internal matter of Afghanistan" rvhich cannot be discussed by the UN. The Soviet representative also said that there must be a guarantee against outside ag- gression belore the Soviet Union can withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. This Soviet scheme was im- mediately exposed and rejected by th_e lepresentatives of many countries who pointed out that the prerequisite and only cor- lect way t() any political settle- ment is the immediate with- drawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The Afghan peo- ple, they argued, must be allowed to exercise their right Soficl lank captured by Alghan gucrrillas. lo self-determination without
Beijing Reuieu, No. 50 a-
external interference and pres- Afghanistan is a neighbour regu)ations extended to include sure and to restore Afghan- of China. The Soviet it-rvasion trade in services, such as bank- istan's independence and non- of Afghanistan and deployment ing, accounting, insurance, aligned status. At the same time. of its troops along the Sino- shipping. consulting, medical Afghan refugees must be allow- Afghan border constitute a care and telecommunications. ed to return home safely. grave threat to China's se- This US demand met with curity. To end the suffering of strong opposition from most of Afghon People Supported the Afghan peopie and restore the developing countries whose The grorving resistance forces peace and stability in Southwest service trades are not yet de- veloped Japan which of the Afghan people are Asia, the Chinese people, who and from seriously hurting the Soviet in- firmly support the Afghan peo- does not open its door to vaders. It is imperative for all ple's struggle against the So- foreign services. peace-loving and justice-uphold- viet hegemonists. together with The chief victim of the trade ing states and peoples of the all peace-loving peoples of the war is the third world. The nu- world to continue to support the world continue to press lor an merous tariff and other trade Afghan people's struggle against ear'Iy implementation of the UN barriers put up by the industri- aggression. The Soviet Union lesolutions on the Afghan alized countries have caused a must be pressured implement to problem. sharp decrease in the develop- the UN resolutions on the Af- ing countries' exports of pri- Ren Yan ghan issue. - mary pro,ducts and have pushed down the prices. Some third world manufactured goods, such as textiles and shoes, and farm and tropical products. are bar- GATT Conference A Foilure red by the developed countries. These trade barriers are largely ministerial of which had taken more than one THE conlerence responsible for the huge trade r the General Agreement trn year to prepare, was the report deficits and debts of many de- Trade (GATT) in on subsidies of agricultural prod- Tariffs and veloping countries who came to Geneva, described as battle- The clash between the a ucts. the GATT conference hoping ground gunsmoke EEC States over filled with by and the United for North-South dialogue on in- wound on was cause a British delegate, up this issue the main ternational trade relations. But November 29 empty the meeting. with an for the failure of their needs were not addressed. tinal declaration. The EEC provides an annual Dim Prospects The six-day conference con- subsidy of 38-40 billion US dol- vened at a time of increasing Iars for its farm exports. The This year's GATT ministerial tension in the worldwide trade United States, its agriculture in conference was the largest of its war. Facing stacks of interna- the biggest trouble in 50 years, kind since the 1973 Tokyo meet- tional trade problems and con- insisted that the EEC countries ing. The failure of the confer- flicting participant viewpoints, phase out such subsidies. The ence. attended by delegates and the meeting failed to make any Washington proposal won sup- observers from more than 100 substantial progress towards port from Australia, Canada and countries and regions, reflected trade liberalization. Some some developing countries, but the depth of the worldwide ece member states of the 88-nation was firmly rejected by the EEC. nomic crisis and the acuteness trade organization, especially The final decision on the ques- of the scramble for markets. the European Economic Com- tion was to set up a special Before the conference, some munity (EEC) countries. who GATT committee to examine people warned that its success share more than 40 per cent of ''all measures af fecting trade, was crucial to the world trade the total world trade volume, market access and competition system. They reminded the said they accepted the final and supply in agricultural prod- world of the protectionism and compromise document with ucts, including subsidies and the Great Depression of the certain reservations. other forms of assistance" and 1930s which they said were to make recommendations with- causally related. Fierce Quorrel in two years. Some economists called on the The most controversial topic On the other hand, the United GATT members to put aside on the conference's agenda. States wanted to see the GATT their differences and work to-
December 13, 1982 7 tN'rERNrA'nONl\r RaPOR tS & COMIAaNIS gether to reach an agreement to one was willing to make any has given Italy the reputation reduce trade obstacles in the substantial concessions, the con- of being the weakest govern- comrng years. ference did not brighten the ment in Europe. New leaders have devised ad hoc measures However, because the major dim future of world trade. trading groups got tangled in but have failed to resolve the problems. quarrels over key issues and no nation's fun,damental -Zhong Tai When Spadolini resigned, President Sandro Pertini in- structed him to form a new New ltolion Government cabinet, but fhis also f ailed. leaving Italy with the alterna- tives of dissolving the parlia- HE new Italian cabinet of unemployment, stagnant pro- ment and calling premature Christian Democrat Amin- duction, increasing financial general elections, or forming a Fanfani was sworn on deficits balance of tore in and adverse provisional government, or ask- payments. December 1, following two trade ing the Christian Democrats to weeks tense of negotiation and form new government. Pres- preparation. Italy's economy is in worse a Composed of ident Pertini appointed veteran Christian Democrats, Socialists, shape than that of most other big industrial countries. Lack- Christian Democrat Fanfani to Social Democrats and Liberals, form a new cabinet, thus out- the new government, Italy's ing adequate natural resources, Italy has to import 90 per cent manoeuvring the Socialists 43rd since World War II, tem- who wanted to place their own porarily resolves of its energy and many other the current prime minister in office before crisi.s faces industrial materials. Of Italy's cabinet but many the 1984 elections. After con- problems. imports 16 per cent are agricul- seemingly intractable sid'erable hesitation and nego- tural products. Dependence on finally imports and large foreign trade tiation, the Socialists Tough Economic Problems withdrew objections to deficits necessarily put the their The government former Fanfani agreed join a of country very much at the mercy and to Prime Minister Giovanni Spa- four-party coaiition govern- of international economic fluc- dolini collapsed on November 13 ment. The new cabinet the tuations and crises, seriously is over sharp disputes between result mutual compromise complicating aII problems fac- o[ Christian Democrats and Social- between the Christian Demo- ing the ne\M government. ists on economic policy. crats and Socialists on the ''austere'' programme initially Severely affected by the Conflict ond lnstobility proposed by Fanfani. Refusing worldwide capitalist economlc to retreat from Fanfani's orig- crisis, the Italian recession is The frequent reshuffling of inal economic programme, the marked by serious inflation and cabinets over the past 30 Years Republicans did not join the coalition. Except for the brief Spado- lini cabinet, the Christian Democrats have controlled the Italian Government since 1945. They must now again confront the endemic contradictions that toppled the Spadolini govern- ment. It seems unlikely that this new government will ac- complish any fundamental res- olution to the nation's long- standing economic problems.
Prime lllinister Fanlani (lcft) takes the oath ol oflice. - Zhang Qihua Beijing Reuieru, No. 50 Artieles & I)oeurnents
Report 0n the llraft of the Reuised Gonstitution 0f the People's Republic ol Ghina
by Peng Zhen, Vice-Chainnan of the Committee for Revision of the Constitution, on November 26, 1982 at the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China
Members of the Presidium llth Central Committee of and Fellow Deputies, th,e Chinese Communist I am entrusted by Chair- Party at its Sixth Plenary men Ye Jianying of the Session and the documents Committee for Revision of adopted by the 12th National the Constitu'tion with the Party Congress this year re- task of reporting on the ceived support from the peo- draft of the revised Consti- ple of the whole country and tution on behalf of the Com- provide a sound basis for mittee. revising the Constitution. The Constitution cur- We have for two years rently in force was adopted discussed and revised the by the Fifth National Peo- present Constitution con- ple's Congress at its First scientiously, carefully and Session held in March 1978. meticuLously. At the sugges- Since then, our country has tion of the Party Central passed through a period of Committee, the Fifth Na- important historical change. After the Third tionai People's Congress at its Third Plenary Plenary Session of the 1lth Central Committee Session on September 10, 1980 decided to set up of the Chinese Communist Party convened in a Committee for Revision of the Constitution to December 1978, the Party and the state led the be responsible for the work. After being set up, whole people in rectifying the mistakes of the the committee and its secretariat solicited "cultural revolution" in all fields, summed up opinions widely from all localities, departments- in a deep-going way the historical experience and quarters and closely studied them and, in gained since the founding of the People's Re- February this year, submitted the Draft of the public and restored, or in the light of the new Revised Constitution of the People's Republic of situation formulated, a series of correct princi- China f or disiussion. The committee at its ples and policies which have enormously second session spent nine days in discussing changed the country's political, economic and and revising the draft. Revisions were also pro- cultural life. The Constitution as it stands in posed by members of the Standing Committee many ways no longer conforms to present real- of the National People's Congress, by some ities or meets the needs of the lif e of the state; members of the Standing Committee of the thus, all-round revision is necessary. The Res- National Committeb of the Chinese People's olution on Certain Questions in the History of Political Consultative Conference, by leaders of Our Parfir Since the Founding of the Peo- democratic parties and peopl,e's organizations, ple's Republic of China adopted last year by the and by leading members of departments under
Decembq li, 1982 the Chinese Communist Party's Central Com- The drafting was done under the ovetall mittee, of departments under the State Council, guidance of the Four Cardinal Principles, of leading bodies of the People's Liberation namely, adherence to ,the socialist road, to the Army and of provinces, autonomous regions people's dernocratic dictatorship, to lleadership and municipalities directly under the Central by the Communist Party of China, and to Marx- Government. The committee ht its third session ism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. These in April carried on a nine-day discnssion on the Cardinal Principles form the common political draft and adopted it, which was made public by basis for the advance of the people of all our the Standing Committee of the National Peo- nationalities in unity and are the fundamental ple's Congress and submitted to the people of all guarantee for the smooth progress of our social- nationalities in the country for discussion. ist modernization.
The extensive scale of the nationwide dis- The Preamble of the draft reviews the cussion, the vast number of participants and the history of the Chinese revolution in the past wide impact demonstrate the surging political century and more. It points out that great and enthusiasm of the workers, peasants, intellec- earth-shaking historical changes have taken tuals and other sections of the people in manag- place in China in the 20th century. Of these, ing state affairs. Through the discussion and four historical events are of the utmost impor- the exercise of democracy, the wisdom of the tance. Apart from the Revolution of 1911 which people has been pooled more effectively for re- was led by Dr..Sun Yat-sen, the three others all. vising the Constitution. Such discussion was in resulted from the efforts of the entire Chinese fact an experience in national mass education in people led by the Communist Party of China the legal system, and it has raised the conscious- with Chairman Mao Zd.ong as its leader. These ness of the cadres and the masses in abiding by three major events are: the overthrow of the the Constitution and upholding its dignity. The rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat- People's Re- consensus is that the draft scientifically sums up capitalism and the founding of the public the system the historicatl experience of development of so- of China; the elimination of cialism' in China, that it reflects the common of exploitation lasting for several thousand will and fundamental interests of the people of years dnd the establishment of the socialist all nationalities, conforms to the situation in system; and the forming, in the main, of an in- China and meets the needs of socialist moderni- dependent and fairly comprehensive system of zation. During the nationwide discussion, many industry and the development of socialist econ- opinions and proposals of all kinds were put omy, politics and culture. The Revolution of forward. The secretariat of the Committee for 1911 was of great historical importance, but it Revision of the Constitution made further re- fell short of fulfilIing the task of China's vision of the draft in accordance with them. nationaldemocratic revolution. The three later Many important and rational proposals were events have brought about a fundamental adopted. While the substance of the originaL change in the destiny of the Chinese people and These great historical draft remains unchanged, nearly 100 additions in our society an,d state. Chinese people to the funda- and amendments were made in regard to spe- changes led the mental conclusion: But for the Chinese Com- cific provisions, not including changes in word- munist Party there would be no New China. ing. Other proposals, though good, were not in- and socialism and socialism alone can save corporated because the conditions for giving China. The Four Cardinal Principles are both a them'effect do not yet exist or the necessary ex- reflection of the law of historical development perience is still lacking, or because it is more ap- that is independent of human will and the deci- propriate to include. them in other laws and sive choice of the hundreds of millions of Chi- documents rather than in the fundamental law nese people in the course of long years of of thE state. After article-by-article discussion struggle. for five days by the committee at its fourth ses- sion, the draft was approved after further re- With the establishment of the socialist visions by the committee at its fifth session on system, China entered a new period of historical November 23. It is now submitted to the Na- development. The basic chatacteristic of this tional People's Congress for consideration.
What are the guidelines for the revision of the Constitution? I
10 Beijing Reuietts, No. 50 substantial change in the focus of work of the ist spiritual civilization and to developing state and in its guiding principles. To adhere socialist democracy. The draft of the revised to the Four Cardinal Principles under the new Constitution clearly stipulates in its Preamble: historical conditions, it is imperative to inte- "The basic task of the nation in the years to grate the universal truth of Marxism with the come is to concentrate its effort on socialist concrete practice of China's socialist construc- modernization" and "to modernize industry, tion and to blaze a path for socialist construc- agriculture. natioqal defence and science and tion with distinctive Chinese features. We have technology step by step to turn China into a scored great successes and also made many socialist country with a high level of bulture and mistakes si'nce we began exploring this correct democracy." The people of all our nationalities path in the mid-1950s. Initiation and cootinua- must work ih concert to fulfil this great task. tion of the "cultural revolution" constituted a grievous mistake. Of course it was not because The first constitution of the People's Re- of we adhered to the Four Cardinal Principles that public of China, namely, the Constitution 1954. was a very good one. But at that time we made mistakes but because we failed to im- just plement them correctly. As for the sabotage by China had begun socialist transformation and construction. Enormous changes have taken the Lin Biao and Jiang Qing counter-revolution- place our so is quite ary cliques during the "cultural revolution," it in country and society, it natural 1954 Constitution no longer was carried out under the banner'. of these prin- that the The present ciples, but constituted a complete betrayal of fully suits the current situation. them. Overthrow of the two counter-revolu- draft maintains and develops the fundamental principles of the 1954 Constitution, while incor- tionary cliques and correction of the mistakes of polating the "cultural revolution" represent a triumph a careful summary of the rich ex- perience for these principles. Now we have set oul of China's socialist development and draws on international experience takes into guiding ideology to rights and formulated a l it account both the current and the pros- correct programme for creating a new situation situation pects in all fields of socialist modernization. AII this for development. Therefore, this Session of the National People's Congress assuredly can has enormous and far-reaching signiticance for enact a new Constitution that is distinctively the plosperity of our country. Bringing about Chinese and meets the needs our socialist this historic change has been a process of restor'- of period and ing the true featules ol the Four Cardinal Prin- modernization in the new historical that remain for.a long period of time. ciples and of adhering to them and developing will valid These principles have been substantiated them. Now I would like to give some explanations period to a large degree in the neu, historical about the basic content of the draft of the re- and have acquired new and richer content. vised Constitution in conjunction with opinions A major strategic policy in setting things and questions raised during the nationwide dis- cusslon. right has been the resolute shifting of the focus of the work of the state to socialist moderniza- tion of China's economy. This must be the focal point for all. other work which should serve it. I. (lur $tate $ystem: The consolidation of the state and the prosper'- ity of our country, the stability and growth oI Ihe People's llemocratic llictatorship Chinese society and the improvement of the people's material and cultural life will. in the rI-1HE first article of the draft revised Consti- final analysis, be determined by the expansion -t tution stipulates. "The People's Bepublic of of production and the success of our moderniza- China is a socialist state under the people's dem- tion programme. We must from now on imple- ocratie dictatorship led by the working class ment this strategic policy unswervingly unless and based on the alliance of workets and there should be a massive invasion by the peasants." This defines the nature of our state enemy. Even in that event. we must stiil can'1' and sets forth our state system. on whatever economic development is lequired by the war and permitted by the actual situa- Our people's democratic dictatorship is in tion. The recording of this policy in the Consti- essence a dictatorship of the proletariat. This is tution is entirely necessary. While stressirrg made explicit in the Preamble of the draft. The economic development as the focus of our work. dictatorship of the proletariat takes different we must pay full attention t Decentber 13, 1982 11 democratic dictatorship is a form created by the ploiting classes no Ionger exist as such; the Chinese people under the leadership of the overwhelming majority of their members have Chinese Communist Party that suits the condi- remoulded themselves and become working peo- tions and revolutionary traditions of our coun- ple earning their own living. try. The term the people's democratic dictator- ship is used to define our state power in the The workers, peasants and intellectuals Common Programme of 1949, in the Constitu- tonstitute the three basic social forces in our tion of 1954 and in the documents of the Eighth socialist construction. Summarizing the views National Congress of the Chinese Communist put forward in the nationwide discussion of the Party held in 1956, and we continue this usage draft, we have added the following sentence to in the present draft. The working class is the the Preamble: "In building socialism it is im- Ieading class in our country. Although it com- perative to rely.on the workers, peasants and prises a minority of the entire population, it has intellectuals and to unite with all the forces that the vast numbers of peasants as its'steadfast can be united." Here, the intellectuals are ally, and an extremely broad united front Ied placed on a par with the workers and peasants by the Communist Party has taken shape in the in terms of their mode of work. Then why does long years of revolution and construction. Our the first article of the draft not say "the alliance country is in a position to practise. democracy of workers, peasants and intellectuals"? That is among the greatest number of people while the because, under the socialist system; the differ- targets of dictatorship are only a small number ence between the intellectuals and ihe work- of persons. The people's democratic dictator- ers and peasants is not one between classes; as ship is a formulation which accurately states regards their relationship to ownership of .the the present condition of the classes in China means of production, or class character, the. in- and the broad basis of our political power, and tellectuals do not constitute a class distinct from it clearly shows the democratic nature of our the workers and peasants. The first article de- state power, fines the nature of our state, that is, our state system, from the viewpoint of class relations. The term the people's democratic dictator- The formulation "based on the alliance of ship in the current draft is not to be taken as workers and peasants" includes the intellectuals. mere restoration of the formulation and its con- The nature of our state as a people's tent in the 1954 Constitution. The people's dem- democratic dictatorship determines that in ocratic dictatorship of the early years of the China it is the people and the people alone who People's Republic corresponded to the circum- are the masters of the state and society. The stances and tasks of that transitional period draft explicitly stipulates, "All power in the when the chief task of the state power was to People's Republic of China belongs to the peo- new-democratic carry the revolution to com- ple." This is the kernel of our state system and pletion, proceed to the socialist transformation a fundamenta| principle governing it. The of the private ownership of the means of pro- draft specifically stipulates, "The organs duction, and bring about the transition from through which the people exercise state power new democracy to socialism. With the establish- are the National People's Congress,and the local ment of the socialist system, however, the people's congr.esses at different levels. The peo- task of our state power under the people's ple administer state affairs and manage the democratic dictatorship became primarily to economic, cultural and social affairs through va- safeguard the socialist system guide and and to rious channels and in various ways in accord- organize socialist construction. There has al- ance with the law." One billion people wield- ready been a significant change in the class ing the state power provides a reliable guaran- composition of this political power. The work- tee tor safeguarding the fundamental interests ing class is much bigger, having grown several of the people and ensuring that our state will be fold and greater in size, carries weight in the able to weather any storm. political life of the state. With the socialist transformation, the vast numbers of peasants The provisions on the fundamental rights have changed from peasants engaged in indi- and duties of citizens are an extension of the vidual farming to those engaged in collective stipulated principles concerning the state system farming. The number of intellectuals has also of the people's democratic dictatorship and the grown several fold. Taken as a whole, they socialist social system in the chapter on General have become part of the working class. The ex- Principles. Our state system and social system 12 Beijing Reoieto, No. 50 provide both legal and practical guarantees that wiII it be possible for the freedoms and rights of our citizens enjoy extensive and genuine individual citizens to be effectively ensured and freedoms and rights. The drait has reinstated fully realized. Hence the draft stipulates, ''The the provision in the 1954 Constitution that all exercise by citizens of the People's Republic of citizens are equal before the larv. China's laws China of their freedoms and rights may not in- are drawn up by the u'hole nation under the fringe upon the interests of the state, of society leadership of the working class and are the con- and of the collective, or upon the lawful free- centrated expression of the rvill and interests of doms and rights of other citizens.'' the people. All citizens are equal before such enjoys laws, which appl1- to all ci,tizens equally; no cit- The draft stipulates, "Every citizen perform izen is allowed tc, enjoy the privilege ol being the rights and at the same lime must and above the Constitution and the law. It is im- the duties prescribed by the Constitution perative to reinsiate this provision, for it rep- the law." In accordance with this fundamental resents a basic principle that ensures the ap principle. the draft specifies the duties of citi- when all plication of socialist democracy and legality. zens to the state and society. Oniy The right to vote and the right to stand fol observe and perform their fundamental duties theit' election are important indicators that the peo- as citizens, can they be sure of enjoying prescribed ple exercise state power. Since the elimination civic rights as by the Constitution. oi :he exploiting classes, the number of people Dernocracy among the people is one aspect enjofing the right to vote and the right to stand the people's democratic dictatorship; the for election in proportion to the total popula- of other is dictatorship by the entire people over tion has steadily grown. According to statistics their enemies. After the elimination of the from the 1981 direct elections at the county system of exploitation and the exploiting level throughout the country, 99.97 per cent of classes, the targets of this dictatorship are no the citizens attaining the age of 18 enjoyed longer complete reactionary classes, and the these rights. This fully demonstrates the broad number of targets has dwindled. However. scope of our socialist democracy. In the light of owing to certain domestic factors and foreign historical experience and the lessons of the influences, class struggle wili continue to exist "cultural revolution." the draft has. in its pro- within certain limits for a long time, and may visions cln the fundamental rights of citizens. even sharpen under certain conditions. Our not only restored what was relevant in the 1954 people must still fight against those forces and Constitution, but made more it specific and ex- elements at home and abroad that are hostile plicit and added new content. For example. to China's socialist system and try to undermine there is the additional provision on the inviola- it. Therefore, the function of the state as an bility of the personal dignity of citizens. and instrument of dictatorship cannot be abolished there are more specific provisions than before at this time. Suppression of treasonable and on citizens' freedom of person and of religious other counter-revolutionary activities and strik- belief, the inviolability of home. the protection ing at dangerous criminals who deliberately at- of their freedom and privacy of correspondence tempt to undermine and overthrow the social- by law and their right to criticize and make sug- ist system in the economic and other fields are dicta- gestions to any state organ or functionary and both functions of the state in exercising in accordance with the Constitution and to make complaints and charges against, or ex- torship the law. It is imperative to uphold these func- posures of, violation of the law or dereliction of tions in order to ensure successful implementa- duty by any state organ or functionary, and so tion of the socialist modernization programme on. The draft also stipulates relevant basic and safeguard and promote socialist democracy. policies and measures to be adopted by the state to materialize and gradually extend citizens' rights. 2. (lur Socialisl Economic System . Freedoms and rights with absolutely no restrictions have never existed in the wor1d. As ours is a socialist country, the interests of the l.HE draft of the revised Constitution truly state and society are in basic accord with the r reflects the fact that a socialist economic citizens' personal interests. Only when the system has been established in our country and democratic rights and fundamental interests of that it is growing ever stronger. It affirms the people as a whole are ensured and extended. socialist public ownership of the means of pro- Decembqr 13, 1982 13 duction as the basis of our socialist economic are not their private property. The ptate may system. in the public interest take over for its use in accordance with the law land owned by collec- Ownership by the whole people and collec- tives. "No organization or individual may ap- tive ownership by the working people are the propriate. buy, sell or lease land, or unlawfully two forms of socialist public ownership in our transfer land in other ways." Thqse provisions country. The draft stipulates, "The state of principle are of great significance in ensuring economy is the sector of socialist economy under our socialist economic development, and partic- ownership by the whole peopl'e; it is the leading ularly in ensuring the socialist orientation in force in the national economy." This is the de- the growth of bur agricultural economy. It cisive factor ensuring that the collective should be explained here that in Article 10 of economy of the working people advances along the draft, land in the towns was originally put the socialist road, that individual economy on a par with land in the rural and suburban serves socialism and that the growth of the en- areas. During the nationwide discussion, it was tire national economy conforms to the overall pointed out that conditions differ in various and long-term interests of the working people. parts of the country and some towns of a fairly The draft stipulates that, among the natural large scale will continue to grow and actually resources, all mineral resources and waters are become small cities. That is why the provision owned by the state; and that all forests, moun- about land in towns has been deleted. The tains, grassland, unreclaimed land and beaches question of landownership in towns can be dealt are owned by the state, except for those owned u,ith in each case in the light of the actual situa- by collectives in accordance with the law. With tion, the permission of the state. some natural re- sources owned by the state may within certain It rvill be necessary for the individual limits be allocated to collective economic or- economy of the working people to exist for a ganizations or even individuals for their use. considerable period in urban and rural areas and to grorv to a certain extent. The draft affirms Collective ownership by the working peo- that this individual economy, within the limits ple is the principal economic form in our couh- prescribed by law, is a complement to the social- tryside. It is suited to the present stage of de- ist public economy; the state protects the lawful velopment of our agricultural productive forces. rights and interests of the individual economy. Apart from the people's communes, agriculturai and guides. helps and supervises it by means of producers' co-operatives and other forms of administrative control. The draft also stipulates, co-operative economy such as producers' sup- "Working people who are members of rural ply and marketing, credit. and consumers' co- economic collectives have the right, within ttre operatives exist and are growing in our rural limits prescribed by law, to farm private plots areas. Even in the cities and towns. the state of cfopland and hilly land, engage in household economy cannot run everything. The develop- sideline production and raise privately owned " ment of co-operative economy under: collectit,e livestock. ownership is suitable for a fairly portion big of In short. state economy, collective economy handicrafts, industries. the building trade and and individual economy all have advantages in transport. as commerce service well as and different respects and are all indispensable, trades. The draft stipulates, "The state protects although they have different status and func- the lawful rights and interests of the urban and tions. The presence of individual economy, rural economic collectives and encourages. which occupies only a small part of the national guides and helps the growth the collective of economy, does not prevent . socialist public economy." ownership from being the foundation of our On the question of landownership. the draft economic system or hamper the successful makes clear-cut stipulations proceeding from the growth of public economy. Given the premise realities in our country. Land in the cities i.s of upholding the leading position of the state owned by the state. Land in the rural and economy, we must develop diverse economic suburban areas is owned by collectives ex- forms so as to promote the prosperity of the cept for those portions which belong to the state whole national economy. in accordance with the law. House sites and private plots of cropland and hilly land are The establishment of socialist public owner- for the long-term use of rural householcls but ship makes it objectively possible to eliminate 14 Beijing Reuieto, No. 50 anarchy in social production and to practise edge and efforts of the people for socialist economic planning. The planned econorny is the modernization. basic system of the socialist economy and an impbrtant hallmark of socialisrn's superiority With the establishment of socialist public over capitalism. Our national economy must be ownership, the system of exploitation of man by developed in a planned way, while our system man was abolished, and "from each according to of administration through planning must be his ability, to each according to his work" be- adapted to the actual situation, that is, to the came a basic prineiple in our socialist economy. existence of diverse economic forms in our This is reaffirmed in the draft. The principle country aqd to the real level of our economic of "to each according to his work" is linked to 'development. White specifying that "the state that of "from each acclording to his ability." In principle practises economic planning on the basis of the applying the "to each according to lis socialist public ownership," the draft stipulates work," we must do ideological work among the providing that the state "ensures the prbportionate and workers while material benefits so co-ordinated growth of the national economy that they will work for society to the best of through overall balancing by economic planning their ability. Though conditions are still lack- and the supplementary role of regulation by the ing to enable everyone to develop his talent in market." That is to say, the state should put an all-round way, the nature of work in our socialist society changed the production and circulation of essential goods has fundamentally compared with that in a society under an exploi- under unified planning, consisting of mandatory tative system. The draft stipulates, work- guidance planning. "All and As for the enterprises ing people il state enterprises and in urban producing goods which fall outside the unified and rural econornic collectives should perform plans, the state allows them the freedom to their tasks with an attitude consonant with adjust production according to variations in their status as masters of the country." On its 'market demand and supply. To ensure the part, society, in which work is planned and or- proper functioning of the social economy and ganized, should see to it that the workers are the authority of the state plan, the draft stipu- paid according to the quantity and quality of Iates, "Disturbance of the orderly functioning of their work and t}at all possible conditions are the social economy or disruption of the state created for them to develop their talent. economic plan by any organization or individual Our economy is rather backward. To is prohibited." change this situation and build China into a The state in the past tended to exercise ex- modern socialist country as quickly as possible, cessive and rigid control in planning. In view it is imperative to give full play to the superiori- of this drawback, apart from the adoption of ty of the socialist system, fully mobilize the . diverse forms of planning to suit different con- broad masses of the people, rely on our own ditions, enterprises should be given varying de- efforts and work hard. Furthermore, as China grees of decision-making power so as to com- has a vast territory, its economic, technological 'bine unified leadership through state pranning and cultural development is very uireven be- with initiative by the production units. The tween different regions, departments and enter- draft stipulates that "state enterprises have de- prises. Our socialist economy must be guided by cision-making power in operation and manage- principles and have flexibility, must be both ment within the limits prescribed by law, on unified and diversified. This wi,ll help bring condition that they submit to unified leadership into full play the enthusiasm of the localities, by the state and fulfil all their obligations under departments, enterprises and workers under the the state plan" and that "collective economic centralized and unified leadership of the central organizations decision-making power in have authorities and suit our measures to differing conducting independent economic activities. on conditions in terms of locality, time, issue and condition' that they accept the guidance of the persons involved, both and state plan and abide by the relevant laws." so that human ma- Furthermore, the draft stipulates that the state terial resources, including lar1d, aro turnqd to must institufs "the socialist system of responsi- best account and a free flow of goods is achiev- bility in various forms." All this will be of great ed. It is in this spirit that the articles on the importance in enhancing the enthusiasm and economy are formulated. The present restruc- initiative of production units and rvorkers, in- turing of our economic .syste'ms has already vigorating the economy and pooling the knowl- brought significant results. and it will be con- Deeember 13, 1982 15 tinued in a comprehensive and deep-going way. and technology is a key link in our four modern- The relevant provisions of the draft lay down izations. The development of the natural and the principles for this work. Proceeding along social sciences, research in basic and applied these lines, we can assuredly build and develop sciences. and the dissemination of scientific and a socialist economy with distinctive Chinese technological knowledge are of paramount im- features so as to turn China into a rich and portance for socialist construction. Obvio,usly . powerful country step by step. public health and physical culture undertakings are important in protecting the people's health, building up their physique and raising their ef- 3. Socialist Spiritua! Giyilization ficiency in work and study. Literature and art, the press, publishing and other cultural under- takings are also essential for enriching and im- rnHE Chinese people have fuqdamental the proving the people's cultural life. The develop- I task of striving to build a high level of ment of all these undertakings. however. cannot spcialist spiritual civilization while working fot I rely solely on the resources of the state; efforts a high level material of civilization in building by all social forces and wide-ranging activities socialism. The addition of articles on socialist of a mass character will be needed. These prin- spiritual civilization marks important an step ciples and requirements are incorporated in the forward the revision Constitution. in of the relevant articles of the draft. With regard to the cultural aspect of buiid- ing a socialist spiritual civilization, the chapter on General Principles in the draft, in acordance with opinions expressed in the nationwide dis- cussion, devotes an article each to education, to science, to public health and physical culture and to culture. This carries more weight than dom of speech and of the press, and freedom to the composite article contained in the original engage in scientific research, literary and artis- draft and also enriches the content. tic creation and other cultural pursuits, that is, the substance of the policy is embodied in legal The expansion of education includes both terms and, moreover, is given a broader inter- making it universal and improving its standards pretation. Second, apart from this policy, there so as to raise the educational level of the work- are other basic policies governing work in ers, peasants 4nd cadres, to increase. the num- science and culture, and it is unnecessary and ber of intellectuals and to train specialized per- impossible to write them all into the Constitu- sonnel in all fields. This is the foundation for tion. Of course, there is no doubt that "letting the growth of science and culture as a whole a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred and a condition for raising.the people's political schools of thought contend" remains one of the basic principles guiding our scientific and cul- consciousness; it is also an indispensable pre- tural work and must be firmly imple- requisite for developing material civilization. that it mented make culture Citizens have the duty as well as the right to to socialist science and flourish. receive education, which includes compulsory primary education for school-age children, prop- With regard to the ideoiogical aspect of er types of political, cultural, scientific, techni- building socialist spiritual civilization, it must cal and professional education for working be Marxism-Leninism adults and pre-employment vocational training. noted, first of all, that The general cultur.al level in China is rather and Mao Zedong Thought is our fundamental low. A more rapid growth of education calls guiding ideology. This is expressed in the Pre- for both regular schooling and spare-time educa- amble as one of the Four Cardinal Principles. tion in various forms. The state will allocate adequate resources for educational purposes and Art,icle 24 of the draft stipulates, "The state at the same time encourage aII social forces, in- strengthens the building of socialist spiritual cluding economic collectives, state enterprises civilization through spreading education in high and undertakings. public organizations and in- ideals and morality, general education and dividuals who have the approval of the state education in discipline and the legal system, to run educational facilities in various forms and and through promoting the tormulation a,nd with mass support. Modernization of science observance of rules of conduct and common 16 Beijing Reuieto, No. 50 pledges by different sections of the people in stage of historical development and pushing .rn urban and rural areas.'' This means that efforts economic and social system that can be realized rnust be made to imbue more and nrore citizens only at a higher stage, the stage of communism with high ideals, moral integrity, general educa- with its highly developed productive forces. On tion, and a sense of discipline so t)rat a new the contrary. it must be in line with socialist standard of social morality is fostered and our principles such as "to each according to his nation acquires a revolutionary and vigorous work" and clear-cut economic responsibility to mental outlook. which we firmly adhere in our economic and social life at the present stage. Only under the The same article also stipulates, "The state guidance of such ideological education can advocates the civic 'u,irtues of love for the socialist principles and policies be implemented motherland. for the people, for labour, for fully and corr€ctly. science and for soeialism." This has been de- veloped on the basi.s of the five requirements Another provision in the same article is that (love of the motherland. the people, Iabour and the state "combats capitalist, feudalist and other science. and care of public property) defining decadent ideas," which sets the fighting task on civic viltrles in the Common Programme adopt- the ideological front. Historical and practical ed in the early years of the People's Republic. reasons as well as domestic factors and the in- These five requirements were explicit and plain. ternational environment make this fighting task They proved to be useful in educating the protracted, and we should in no way relax our masses of people and left a deep impression on efforts. them In the conditions prevailing then, it was not yet opportune to put forward "love for Here I would like to make one further point: socialism" as a requirement in the C December 73, 1982 17 ciples of socialism and collectivism, cultivate a country. The Chairman of the Central Military recognition of their'rights and duties and a sense Commission exercises overall responsibili$r for of organization and discipline cronsonant with the Commission. He is elected by the National the socialist political system, and acquire aware- People's Congress and is responsible to it and 'socialist ness as citizens. its Standing Committee. The People's Libera- tion Army, created and led by the Chinese Com- munist Party, I'as been the national army since the founding of the People's Republic. On the basis of summing up the historical experience 4. fhe $tructure ol the $tale since the founding of the People's Republic and in accordance with the actual conditions and rI.HE draft of the revised Constitution stipu- needs of our country, the draft properly defines I lates that "the state organs of the Peo- the position of the armed forces in the state ple's Republic of China apply the principle of system. The leadership by the Chinese Com- democratic centralism." In the light of this prin- munist Party over the armed forces will not experience gained ciple and the we have over the change with the establishment of the state Cen- last thirty more years in the building of state and tral Military Commission. The Party's leading power, a number of new and important provi- role the is Sions about the state structure have been in- in life of the state, which explicitly affirmed in the Preamble, naturally includes its corporated into the draft. They mainly deal Ieadership with the following aspects: over the armed forces. (4) The Premier exercises overall responsi- (1) Strengthening the system of people's congresses. Some of the functions and powers bility tor the State Council; executive meetings which originally belonged to the National Peo of the State Council are composed of the Pre- ple's Congress are now delegated to its Standing mier, Vice-Premiers, State Councillors and Committee. The functions and powers of tlre Secretary-General of the State Council; the Pre- Standing Committee have been expanded, and mier convenes and presides over executive and the Committee has been strengthened organiza- plenary meetings of the State Council. The tionally. Both the National People's Congress ministers exercise overall responsibility for the and its Standing Committee exercise the legisla- respective ministries or commissions under their tive power of the state; while the basic statutes charge; the ministers convene and preside over the former, statutes are are enacted by other executive meetings or commission meetings of enacted by the latter. Members of the NPC the ministries or commissions uhder their Standing Committee may not hold posts in any of the administrative, judicial and procuratorial charge. which consid- organs of the state, means that a In order to strengthen supervision over devote time erable number of them their full finances and financial and accounting activities, The Peo- to this work. work of the National the State Council newly establishes an auditing ple's Congress is strengthened by the establish- body which will independently exercise its ment of special committees examine, discuss to po\rr'er to supervise through auditing in ac- and draw up relevant bills or draft resolutions cordance wtih the law. Local governments at the National People's Con- under the direction of different levels also establish auditing bodies gress Committee. and its Standing correspondingly. (2) Iiestoring the posts of President and (5) Strengthening the building of the local Vice-President of the People's Republic.' Prac- organs of state power under the unified leader- tice since the founding of the People's Republic ship of the central authorities. The local peo- proves that these posts are necessary for a sound ple's congresses at and above the county level state system and are better suited to the custom establish their standing committees. The peo- and desire of our people of all nationalities. ple's congresses of the provinces and munici- palities directly under the Central Government (3) Establishing the state Centtal Military and their standing committees have the power Commission to direct the armed forces of thu to adopt and issue local regulations. Local pen"- ple's governments at different levels practise the * Previously translated as Chairman and Vice- system governors. Chairman of the People's Republic tr anslator' s of overall responsibility by note. - mayors. county heads, district heads, township 18 Beijing Reoi.ew, No. 50 heads and town heads. These provisions apply People's Congress, and all those on the com- to the organs of self-government of national mittee can be described as executive deputies autonomous areas as well to the congress. Being few in number, they can meet frequently and carry a heavy load (6) Changing the system of the tural peo- of legislation and day-today work, Therefore, ple's commune which combines government appropriate extension of the functions and administration and economic management and powers of the Standing Committee is an effec- establishing organs of state power at the town- tive way to strengthen the system of the peo- ship level. The people's commune will be sole- ple's congress. At the local levels, the main ly an organizational form of the rural collec- thing to do is to broaden the democratic basis power (in- tive ecohomy, This change will serve to strength- of organs of state at different levels grass-roots and, at en the organs of state power at the grass-roots cluding those at the level) same time, extend their .functions and Ievel in the rural areas and also to expand the the powers appropriately so that, under unified collective economy. As concrete step for the central leadership, the localities may carry out government to separate administration from their own development plans in the light of economic management, this calls for meticulous their own conditions. The mass organizations efforts, and the authorities in different locali- of self-management in grass-roots community ties should, in the light of the actual local con- life ought to be strengthened so that the'peo- ditions. conduct the work under leadership, step ple are mobilized to manage their own public by step and in a planned way, refraining from affairs and social services. Putting these provi- rashness. sions into practice will develop socialist democracy in China more fully. The status and role of self-governing mass organizations such as residents' committees and During the nationwide discussion, it was villagers' committees, which have long proved suggested that, while extending the functions to be effective, are written into the Constitution. and powers of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, we should fully en- (7) It is stipulated that state leaders, in- sure the status of the National People's Congress clud'ing the President and Vice-President of the as the highest organ of state power. This People's Republic. the Chairman and Vice- opinion is correct. Therefore, the qualifying Chairmen of the Standing Committee of the Na- clause "provided that they do not contravene tional People's Congress and the Premier and the basic principles of these statutes" is added Vice-Premiers of the State Council, shall serve to the third item of the functions and powers no more than two consecutive terrns. Thus, of the Standing Committee contained in Article the de Jccto system of life-long tenure of lead- 67 of the draft, which originally says that it ing posts is abolished. may introduce, when the National People's Con- gress is not in session. partial supplements and No'*'. I would like to explain in particular amendments to the statutes enacted by the Na- the intentions oI the above provisions and the tional People's Congress. Besides, an item - requirements embodied in them. the 11th-which reads, "to alter or annual in- appropriate decisions of the Standing Committee people First, to enable the whole to exer- of the National People's Congress." is added to cise state power better. Article 62 which stipulates the functions and powers of the National People's Congress. Any reform of our political institutions and establishment of state olgans should be aimed Second, to enable the state organs to guide at ensuring politically and organizationally that and organize the work of socialist construction the whole people wield state power and are real more effectively, masters of the country. According to this prin- ciple. the main thing to do at the level of the State organs should be established and theil central authorities is to strengthen the National functions and powers defined in the following People's Congress. As China is a big and pop- spirit: Organs of state power, namely, the Na- ulous country. the number of deputies to the tional People's Congreiss and the local people's National People's Congress should not be too congresses, should fully discuss the formulation small: but too large a number will make its of laws and policies on major issues and decide regular work cumbersome. The Standing Com- on them through democratic procedures so that mittee is the permanent bodl' of the National they truly concentrate the will and represent Decembqr 13, 1982 19 the interests of the people; and there must be unity of all our nationalities achieved so far a strict system of responsibility in implementing are of tremendous importance for the advance laws and major policy decisions so as to raise of our socialist cause and the wetl-being of the efficiency. The system of responsibility is in- whole Chinese nation. Just as Comrade Mao dispensable in developing socialist democracy Zedong put it: "The unification of our country, and ensuring that the people exercide state the unity of our people and the unity of our power. The will of the people can be carried various nationalities these are the basic but only when the decisions they have made guarantees of the sure- triumph of our cause." through the organs of state power are imple- mented promptly and effectively by the ad- At present, reunification of our great ministrative organs, motherland is not yet complete. and we must strive to accomplish it. The Preamble of the Third, to enable the different state organs draft states: "Taiwan is part of the sacred terri- to co-operate with one another better on the tory of the People's Republic of China. It is the basis of a proper division of labour. lofty duty of the entire Chinese people, inciud- ing our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish Under the socialist system, there is a com- the great task of reunifying the motherland." munity of fundamental interests of the whole The se,paration of Taiwan from the motherland people. Therefore, people's the congresses can in the last three decades and more is absolutely and must exercise state power in a unified way. contrary to the interests of our nation and the Given this premise, there should at the same wishes of our people. An early end to this time be a clear division of power among the judicial separation will be highly conducive to the administrative, and procuratorial prosperity of the Taiwan region and our authorities and leadership over the armed forces motherland as a whole, and to the maintenance so that the organs state power and of the other of peace in the Far East in the whple world. judicial and state organs, administrative, and proc- It is an inevitable trend in accord with the uratorial, may work in concert and harmony. desires of the people, a trend which no party, The President People's of the Republic, the political force or individual can resist. It is an State Council, the Central Military Commission, internal affair of China, which brooks no inter- the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme ference by any foreign country. On the eve of People's Procuratorate are all elected or created our National Day last year, Comrade Ye Jian- by the National People's Congress, and they are ying, Chairman of the Standing Committee of resporuible all to it and subject to its super- the National People's Congress, pointed out in vision. The National People's Congress, the a statement that, after peaceful reunilication, President of the People's Republic and other Taiwan can enjoy a high degree of autonomy as slate organs all work within the scope of their a special administrative region. This autonomy respective powers. functions and The rational means, among other things, that the current so- division of labour among state organs can cial and economic systems in Taiwan, its way avoid over-concentration of power and at the of life and its economic and cultural relations same time serve to enhance the efficiency of with foreign countries will remain unchanged. wolk by the state in all fields. Considering the needs of this particular situa- tion, Article 31 df the draft stipulates: "The At present, the work of restructuring the state may establish special administrative state'organs is going on in our country. The regions when necessary. The systems to be in- provisions of the draft on the state structure stituted in special administrative regions shall give expression to the principles and results in be prescribed by law enacted by the National this respect and will serve to push the work People's Congress in the light of the specific further ahead. conditions," We are absolutely unequivocal on the principle of safeguarding China's sover- eignty, unity and territorial integrity. At the 5. Unity ol the Gountry and Unity ol All same time, we are highly 'flexible as regards specific policies and measures and will give full Ihe llalionalities consideration to the concrete situation in the Taiwan region and the wishes of the people in T HE history of the thirty and more yeal'-\ Taiwan and those of all personages concernd. ^ r since the founding of the People's Republic This is our basic position in handling problems shows that the unity of the countrv and the of a similar kind. 20 Beijing Reuieu, No. 50 It is a basic principle followed by the Com- of necessary political, economic and cultural munist Party of China and the state to work for measures. the equality, unity and common prosperity of The systern of autonomy in regions inhabit- all our nationalities. We have scored tremen- ed by rninority nationalities is a correct system dous success in this respect in the thirty and which proves suited to our country's conditions more years since the founding of the People's through the test of practice.. China is a unitary Republic. But we also committed "Left" mis- multi-national country jointly created by all our takes during this period, especially during the nationalities. Suffering common from im- "cultural revolution," when the policies of the in perialist aggression before liberation, the Han Party and the state on nationality affairs were people and the people of minority nationalities distorted and undermined, and many cadres and forged close in times of dire ordinary folk of minority nationalities were ties of mutual help need. After the founding of the People's Re- made to suffer. This is a serious lesson. In public, all our nationalities established a close revising the Constitution this time, we have paid political, economic and cultural relationship of full attention. to summing uP the historical ex- interdependence assistance while perience in this respect and drawn on the im- and mutual advancing portant results of setting things to rights in our along the common road of socialism. Regional national autonomy within unified work among the minority nationalities in recent a not rights years. country only can ensure the lawful and interests of the minority nationalities and The Preamble of the draft points out, "In ppeed up the economic and cultural development the struggle to safeguard the unity of the na- of the areas they inhabit, but also serve to re- tionalities, it is necessary to combat big-nation 'Sist aggression and subversion from outside and chauvinism, mainly Han chauvinism. and also guarantee the independence and prosperity of necessary to combat local-national chauvinism." the country as a whole. That is why the draft Ihis is because both are harmful to the unity of stipulates that "all the national autonomous our nationalities. Combating big-nation chau- areas are inalienable parts of the People's Re- public of China," and that "it is the duty of vinism chiefly means combating it among the citizens of the People's Republic of China to people Han nationality. This is determined of safeguard the unity of the country and the up by the fact that the Han nationality makes unity of all its nationalities." This fully accords for the overwhelming majority of China's pop- with the fundamental interests and common ulation and exerts the greatest influence on the will of all our nationalities. political, economic and cultural life of the cclun- try. Comrades of Han nationality should be The provisions on regional national auton- highly conscientious and mindful in guarding omy have restored some important principles against an{ overcoming big-Han chauvinism. contained in the 1954 Constitution and, more- Like combating big-nation chauvinism. combat- over, acquired new content in keeping with the ing local-national chauvinism is also necessary changes which have taken place in our country. to guarantee unity amorig all our nationalities. It is stipulated in Section VI. "The Organs of HoWever, the mistake of grievously broadening Self-Government of National Autonomous the scope of struggle in this regard was com- Areas," in the chapter on the structure of the mitted in the past: First, many comrades not state that the chairmanship and vice-chairman- guilty of local-national chauvinism were wrong- ships of the standing committee of the people's ly accused; secondly, ideological mistakes were congress of any national autonomous area shall wrongly dealt with as contradictions between include a citizen or citizens of the nationality or ourselves and the enemy. Like big-nation nationalities exercising regional autonomy in chauvinism, local-national chauvinism is a the area concerned: that the administrative head matter of wrong thinking and understanding of an autonomous region, prefecture or county which belongs to the category of contradictions shall be a citizen of the nationality. or of one among the people, except in cases of those who of the nationalities, exercising regional auton- engage in rebellious and secessionist activities omy in the area concerned; and that organs of in collaboration with foreign quarters. Big- self-government independently arrange for and nation chauvinism and local-national chauvi- administer local economic development under nism should be combated in a correct way, main- the guidance of state plans.and independently ly through ideological education and adoption administer educational. scientific. cultural, 21 Decembq 13, 1982 public health and physical culture affairs in From their experience in the long years of rev- their areas. It is also stipulated that, in exploit- olution and construction, the Chinese people are ing natural resources and building enterprises deeply aware that their own future is closely in the national autonomous areas, the state bound up with that of the people of the world. shall give due consideration to the interests of The establishment of the socialist system has those areas: that the state shall give financial, rooted out the social causes both of China's sub- material and technical assistance to the minority mission to any foreign oppreSsion and of any nationalities to accelerate their economic and possibility of China committing aggression cultural development and help the national abroad in any form. The world today is in the autonomous areas train large numbers of cadres throes of intense turbulence, and this turbulent at different levels and specialized personnel and situation will not end so long as imperialism and skilled workers of different professions and hegemonism exist in the world. No matter what trades from among the nationality or na- happens outside China, we will adhere to the lionalities in those areas. The provisions in the policy of independence. As Comrade Deng draft on the right oll autonomy of the national Xiaoping said at the 12th National Congress autonomous areas show that the state f ully of the Chinese Communist Party: "No foreign respects and ensures the democratic right of the country can expect China to be its vassal, nor minority nationalities to rnanage their internal can it expect China to swallow any bitter fruit affairs. harmful to China's interests." We will alscr persist in treating all countries, big or small. as equals and consistently stand on the side of 0. lndependent Foreign Policy al1 oppressed nations and developing countries as u'ell as all other countries and people work- ing for world peace. China will never seek rf'tHE Pream,ble oI the draft lays down the I basic principles of China's foreign policy. hegemon5' and will never allow any hegemonists to ride on its back. They are: independence; development of dip- lomatic relatidns and economic and cultural Our country follou's the policy of opening exchanges with other countries on the basis of to the outside world on the premise of in- the five principles of mutual respect for sover- dependence and will continue to do so in the eignty and territorial integrity, mutual non- days lo come. China wilL continue to expand aggression, non-interference in each other's its economic. technical and cultural exchanges internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit r,r,ith other countries on the principlb of equality and peaceful coexistence; opposing imperialism. and mutual benefit. The draft stipulates that hegemonism and colonialism, strengthening foreign economic organizations and individual unity with the people of other countries, for'eigners may invest in China and entel into supporting the oppressed nations and develop- economic co-operation with Chinese economic ing countries in their just struggle to win and organizations. Of course. all foreign economic preserve national indepen{ence and develop olganizations in China must abide by the Iaw their national economies, and striving to safe- of the People's Republic of China. and their guard world peace and promote the cause o[ Iawful rights and interests will be protected by' human progress. the law of the People's Republic of China. Our adherence to these plinciples of foreign In accot'dance with international practice. policy is dictated by the natule of our state and China protects the legitimate rights and in- our social system. Having suffered for a centurl' terests of Chinese nationals residing abroad, and before the founding of the People's Republic. at the same time. calls on them to abide by the the Chinese people know full well that withoul lar,r, of the country in rvhich they reside and to national independence, the people of a country Iive in harmony with the people of that coun- have no possibility to enjoy democratic rightrs try. China protects the lawful rights and in- and build a prosperous and powerful country. terests of foreigners residing in China and. at 22 Beijing Reoiew, No. 50 the same time, requires that they abide by the conduct its activities within the limits permitted law of the People's Republic of China. These by the Constitution and laws of the state' em- are all set forth in the draft. bodies a Ynost important principle. It is imper- missible for any Party organization or member. The Chinese people have protracted waged from the Central Committee down to the grass and arduous struggles to win and safeguard roots, to act in contravention of the Constitu- their national independence. Our foreign policy tion and laws." The Chinese people and the represents the fundamental interests of the Chi- Communist Party of China fully recognize that nese people and accords with those of the people the authority of the Constitution concerns the of the world. The draft stipulates that the state political stability and the future of our country. shall educatb the people both in patriotism and and that it is absolutely impermissible to under- in internationalism. The Chinese people's tra- mine the Constitution in any way. All power dition of patriotism and internationalism must in our country belongs Jo the people. The be handed down from generation to generation. destiny of our country is in the hands of the This is the basic guarantee tor adhering to our awakened people. Ttre Communist Party of independent foreign policy. China is the political party of the working class that represents the interests of the Chinese peo- Fellow deputies, after its discussion and ple and acts on their will. It has no interests of formal adoption by the current session of the its own apart from the interests of the people. National People's Gongress, the draft revised The Chinese Communist Party has attached Constitution will go into operation as the funda- great importance to the revision of the Consti- mental law of the state with supreme authority tution, on which the Political Bureau and the and legal force. It will be the general statute Secretariat of its Central Committee conducted for China's good administration and stability in special discussions. Most of the members of' the new historical period. We are convinced the Political Bureau and the Secretariat are that the new Constitution will be strictly ob- concurrently members of the Committee for served and implemented" Summing up both the Revision of the Constitution. and the opinions positive and negative historical experience in of the Party Central Committee have found full formulating and implementing the constitutions expression in the draft. Ilaving led the people since the founding of the People's Republic, the in forrnulating the new Constitution, the Chi- Preamble of the draft clearly states that, "The nese Cotnrnunist Party will uphold ths dignity people of aII nationalities,. all state organs, the of the Constitution and ensure its implernenta- armed forces, all political parties and public tion together with tho peopls of all our na- organizations and all enterprises and undertak- tionalities and the democratic parties and peo- ings in the country must take the Constitution ple's organizations. After the Constitution is as the basic norm of conduct, and they have adopted, it is necessary to give the Constitution the duty to uphold the dignity of the Constitu- wide publicity by various means so that it will tion and ensure its implementation." Both the be made known to every household. When our National People's Congress and its Standing one billion people all cultivate the consciousness Committee have the function and power of and habit of observing and uph 4::l:S:+, Dr. Dwarkanath S. Kotnis (1910-42), q. mem- ber oJ the Indian China-aid medical team sent to Chino during the War of Resistance Againsl Japon, helped the Chinese peopl.e under difficult conditions and died Jrom constant ooeruork. On the 40th annioersary o.f his death, December 9, toe dedicate this articl.e to the memorg of his uork at the anti-Japanese front. The 25th an- niuersary of the death of Dr. Menhanlal, Atal (1886-1957), anothe.r tnember of the lndian med- ical team,, uiLL also be marked this gear. Ac- tiuities organized, by the Chinese people com- tnetnorating these tuo great internationalist fighters uill soon be reported in "Beijing Reuieut." - Ed. n/fY first meeting with Dwarkanath S. Kotnis IVI totrk place in mid-June 1940 when I was principal of the Bethune Medical School in the Shauxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Area. One morning, I received a phone call from the health department of the military area saying that Kotnis and B.K. Basu of the Indian China-aid fn March 1939, Comrade Mao Zedong met medical team had arrived at rthe third military Dr. Atal (right) and Dr, Kotnis (middle) in Yanan. sub-area and asking me to receive them to work at the Bethune Medical School and the affiliated Bethune International Peace Hospital. day I came to the operating room, to find him waiting, hands already scrubbed. He had I dropped the receiver and summoned other his a good university education and solid medical comrades to set out at once to greet them. Going foundation, and had worked in the Eighth Route east, we soon met a detachment of men ap Army Hospital for a pet'iod of time, so he re- proaching, among them Kotnis and Basu. Both sponded quickly tasks. He did the were medium-height and sun-tanned, with to the new operations exceedingiy well. honest, modest faces, much like my townsmen of Fujian. A month or so later, I noticed that he was I put them up at a nearby villager's a bad tapeworm case. I could not but feel concerned home. Kotnis asked me about their assign- about him. ments. "Don't worryl" I said, "That'Il be set- Seeming to read my mind, he said casually: tled in a few days." Although I ',r,as then prin- "It's nothing. I have taken some pomegranate cipal of the school. I had to devote much of my root decoction, Let's see if it works." energy to hospital urork. I had to perform ma- jor operations myself . Upon Kotnis' arrival. Surprised, I asked hor.."' he knew the folk I wanted to make him my assislant. When he prescription which local people used for treating heard this, his eyes sparkled with joy. The next tapeworm cases. "Oh, I have just learnt it. I also know a The author is member Central Advi-r a of the prescriptions." said sory Commission and former Minister of Public dozen or so other folk he Health. proudly. 24 Beijing Reuieus, No, 50 a When the second-phase of the large-scale time limit of one year. I suggested that they battle to cut the enemy communication routes discuss the matter and set out as soon as pos- broke out in mid-September, Kotnis and Basu sible so that they coul'd leave before the enemy insisted on going to the front. I rejected Kotnis' took new actions to cut our ties with Yanan. demand. The reason was quite simple. It was of not because he was a foreigner but because he In a while they returned with the result had a bad case of tapeworm. He would not their discussi.on: Basu was to go to Yanan to listen to me, and kept pestering me for several clarify the situation while Kotnis would remain teach days. Instead of being impatient and angry, he to in the school or work in the hospital because doctors were needed. I uncomfor- spoke slowly and unhurriedly, trying to con- felt vince me. Once, he even brought me a glass of table. Chairman Mao had asked them both to water, saying: "So far I haven't taken part in any ireturn- How could I change this decision? Iarge battle. How can I be considered an Eighth Kotnis saw my embarrassment, he said: "Let Route Army doctor if I don't go to the front?" Basu explain to Chairman Mao that it is my own wish Basu him, He continued, "What did Dr. Bethune* tell us? to stay.'' darted a look at going free Doctors must go to the front and tend the saying: "But I'm not back out of my wounded. Haven't u,e used Dr. Bethune's name will." I said: "If either is to stay, we have to for the school? We should work as he did." report this to the commander for his decision." Unable to stop his pestering. I r,r,as compelled to Commander Nie Rongzhen instructed us agree. that it was all right for Kotnis to remain, but Kotnis and Basu were assigned to work that his safety must be guaranteed without fail. When separately in the third and fourth military sub- I told them Commander Nie's answer, Kotnis bcamed areas. Befole departure. they challenged each with .loy, other to see r,vho could treat the wounded bet- Kotnis was then appointed a surgical teach- ter and more quickly and use medical supplies er at the Bethune Medical School. Since he in- more economically. When they returned in mid- sisted that he could speak Chinese well enough, October. I saw that Kotnis' dark brown face the interpreter, Comrade Ma Hanbing. accom- had a yellowish tinge, that his eye sockets were panied Basu back to Yanan. But Kotnis did have more deeply sunken. The comrade accompany- difficulty with the medical terms. With the aid ing him told me that during the 18 days of of a ,dictionary he had to mark the words with work at the front. Kotni.s had treated over 800 phonetic symbols. This added to the amount of wounded soldiers and performed 585 operations. work needed to prepare lessons. But difficulties He seemed to give no thought to hardship or seemed nothing to him. To make his teaching fatigue or danger. He onl;, thought of how to more effective, he stayed up late almost every save the wounded. night. Yet his morale was high. In November. the enemy started a "mopping Decides to Remain up" campaign oI unprecedented scale. To con- When Kotnis and Basu were still at the frrrnt. I received a cable from Chairman Mao addresseC to them and reiayed by the military area. The cable read: Ask them to r.eturn to India via Yanan immediately. Upon their leturn, I handed the cable to them. Kotnis was sur- prised and suspected that there .,vas an error. in the decoding ol the cable, He asked repeated- ly: "Why? While the battle is stiil going on, we are asked to leave. I simply can't understand it." Basu seemed more sober-minded. He thought about it and concluded that India must have urged theil leturn because they had been abroad for- more than turo years, exceeding the original & t Norman Bethune (lUg0-1939) u,as a Canadian Communist and famous surgeon 'r,r'ho died helping Dr. Kotnisj rvorking in the surger)' of an llighth Iloute China du.ring the War of Resistance Against Japan ArnrY hospital. December 13, 1982 25 solidate the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei anti-Japa- more he realized the historical similarity be- nese base areas, army units and local govern- tween China and India and the deeper he under- ments held a joint army-civilian meeting to stood why all Indian parties and classes agreed pledge to fight the Japanese and puppet troops fully on sending aid to China. Thus, whenever to the end. At a meeting held in Zhanggezhuang, he heard someone voice the call for Sino-Indian where the Bethune International Peace Hospital unity, he could not control his feelings. He said: was located, Kotnis mounte'd the platform and "When I left home, my father said two things made a solemn vow in Chinese to face all dan- to me. First, he hoped his son would not fail gers together with the Eighth Route Army and to accomplish something in China. Second, as the Chinese Communists. Then he joined long as India and China are united, no one can the others in singing their favourite song manipulate the fate of the Asian people. Many March oJ the Volunteers. This pledge and song, others also'share this last thought. At each filled with grief, indignation and excitement, send-off meeting, I hear similar remarks repre- fused the anti-Japanese sentiment of this young senting the voice of the Indian people." doctor from another country with that of the Coming from the bottom of his heart, these Chinese army and people. Moved by the at- words called forth in me a feeling of profound mosphere permeating the meeting, of a common respect for Kotnis, his father and the great In- hatred for the enemy, one comrade shouted: dian nation. "Long live the unity between the Chinese and lndian peoples!" "Down with the Japanese Hospital Director fascists!" At that moment, Kotnis was so ex- A few days later, Kotnis was appointed di- cited that his eyes filled with tears and his hands rector of the Bethune International Peace Hos- began to tremble. pital. After the meeting we sat together fa,ce to The political commissar and I nominated face. He still could not calm down. I lighted him for this post only after much indecision, a cigarette and poured a glass of water for him. because that was a tough job at this most diffi- After a while he regained his composure and cult moment of the revolution and we were told me that the longer he stayed in China, the afraid he might turn down the offer. To our surprise, he made no attempt to refuse, but simply asekd: "Am I up to it?" "Certainly you are," I answered. "It is Com- mander Nie's hope that you will become a sec- ond Norman Bethune." He responded, "Oh," and fell silent. Clear1y, the inspiration came from Comman- der Nie's words. He collected all the works written by Bethune and repeatedly asked me to tell him about the Canadian doctor. He great- ly respected Bethune's scientific attitude. Though frail of heaLth, in his work he was a tower of courage and resolution. In his first days as hospital director, he instituted many effective measures such as grouping the patients into squads and platoons, organizing leading cadres to go the rounds of the sickrooms and holding weekly report meetings of doctors and nurses. He always lived up to his word, achieved prompt and effective results. Once, a comrade suggested that emergency battlefield rescue teams be organized and kept on alert even when there was no fighting near by. He immediatety called a meeting to act on this suggestion. He himself volunteered to head one of the rescue teams. The work of the hospital .{ddressing an anti-Japanese rally in the Shanxi- Chahar-Hebei border area. improved rapidly under his leadership. 26 Beijing Reuieu, No. 50 a His task was more than just medical. As hospital director. Kotnis personally took up mis- cellaneous col- ,i tasks, including w lecting fireu,ood and shipping ..6 : grain from f araway villages. Once. we received an order to ship grain over a rugged moun- I tain trail cut midway by the u...... ,1 enemy blockade line, a round- trip trek of 40 kilometres. I told him not to participate. But as we were abclut to set off. I was surprised to spot him among the team members, ready to go. I asked him to step out. but he would not listen. I re- k minded him that he should Chinese medical lvorkcrs at the Kotnis Memorial Hall in Shiiiazhuan f ollow orders. He retorted. jokingly. "I'm following the order to get the grain.'' He was, indeed. im- the Party. He shook my hand long and hard possible. I had to let him go along. when I assured him that I would be honoured do so. Though I admired hi-s tenacity, when we to got back I gave him a good talking-to about On July 7, 1942, Kotnis became a member risking his already weak health. "I like the of the Chinese Communist Party. collective life and I don't want any privileges.'' he answered. "Otherwise, I couldn't possibly An lndelible Memory be '"vorthy of the name of hospital director." Kotnis plunged himself into study and work In those eventful. but harsh days, he fell with renewed fervour after he was admitted in love with Guo Qinglan*, a nursing teacher. into the Party. His physical condition seemd Aftel their wedding. the couple still lived apart. to be improving, too. In autumn 1,942, he coming together only on Saturdays. It u,as not finished compiling a textbook on general sur- until the summer of 1942 that they began living gery and started on another which was a de- together. at which point he was suffering re- tailed study of surgery. He told me that he curring. increasingly long fits of epiiepsy caused was sure he could finish the second book by b;, tapeworm. Deeply concerned about his Lhe end of the year. At the time I never antic- declining condition. Commander Nie instructed ipated that this was to become his unfinished that he leave the bordel area for medical treat- posthumous work. On December 9. 1942, fail- ment el.servhere. But Kothis refused to respond. ing to respond to ali attempts to rescue him great A let, days later, he asked me: "Can a from a violent fit of epilepsy, this inter- foreigner join the Chinese Communist Party?" nationalist fighter breathed his last. Even todav. I can still recall his look of embar- On December 18, a gioomy, windy daY, I, rassment as he asked this question, a look I together with my colleagues, bore the coffin seldom sau' in him during our two years to- of Kotnis to his grave, right next to that of Nor- gether. This question did not surprise me. be- man Bethune. Irccal people hurried over from cause I had knor'vn for some time that he wanted miles around to join the funeral. to join the Party and that he was fully qualified for Party membership Besides, knowing this. In spring 1943, amidst the rumble of enemy I had already asked the higher leadership for' artillery, I joined the local people in erecting their advice. Thus, I replied: "You can." Ovel- a tombstone in front of the Indian doctor's grave. Looking at towering side ioyed" he asked if I u,ould recommend him tr> this monument by side with that of Bethune, I recalled that on June 21. 1940, Kotnis had pledged before the * Nolv a membel of rhe standing committee tomb of the Canadian doctor: "I'lI live the way of Liaoning Province's Dalian municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Con- you did." Now it was our turn to vow: "Dr. ference. Kotnis. rve will live as you did." . December 13. 1982 Tibet: An lnside View (lV) - Developing trad itional hand icrafts by Our Correspondent Jing Wei ?his is the fourth instalment of a fiue-part carpet production co-operative. A loan of sev- series on Tibet. ' The precedingt three arti,cles eral hundred thousand yutrn was provided to appeared in our dssues No. 47 through 49,- Ed. build workshops and help promote production. Since 1974, carpets produced in Gyangze D)EFORE its peaceful liberation in 1951. Tibet's I) have been sold abroad. Because funds. raw snly industries were handicrafts. Craftsmen materials and technical skills of the co-operative produced the highly prized Tibetan carpets. could not meet the expandiing demand, the co- leather boots. wooden Tibetan cabinets. gold- operative r,,,,as made a state-run factory in 1979. and silver-embroidered hats. wooden churns and jewelery. Under- state support, the Gyangze Carpet Factory has quadrupled output in the last nine In late July, I visited Gyangze. a town years. The Nlinistrl' o1 Light Industry certifies known as the Tibetan carpet-centre rvith a 600- Gyangze Carpet Factor)' products as top quality year carpets. history of making Tibetan carpets. Output Quadrupled As I toured the Iactor)' accompanied b"," its 55-year-old director. craftsman Sangmodian. The carpet factory in the northern suburb he told me that the factory uses a piecervork oI Gyangze cornprises six new workshops n-rade wage system. "You can't really compare it rvith of brick and tile. Its 310 wolkers and staff mem- the earlier fixed u-age system of the co{pera- bers are Tibetans. tive," he said. ''but I can say the take-home Carpets, Tibet's most famous handicraft wages the workers receirze no\\r are higher than item. were made by ,individual artisans in the befole.' past. 1971. these artisans were organized In Workers' lncome Raised into groups by some communes but. because ol insufficient funds and a scarcity of ra'*' ma- ln 1981. the rvorkers' average monthly in- terials. production was low. In early 1973, the come was 63 yuan compat'ed with 29.5 yuan in state merged these groups into the Gyangze 19?3 Sangmodian disckrsed that. as a skilied worker he used to earn 35 yuan a month. Norv a wolker with equivalent skills receives 115 yuan. The dilector gets a fixed salary of 103 yuan a month. ''Life is quite dilf erent from bef ore the democratic reform of 1959." said Sangmo- dian: Then he wove carpets lor his lord. His monthiy wages equalled 15 kilogrammes of grain and he was given very scanty meals. Nou, 103 yuan can bu}.' 250 to 300 kilogrammes trI gt'ain. Aftel visiting the lactory. I rvas invited to tht: dir-ector-'s home, He inttoduced me to his son,s. daught er^s. son^s-in -lart'. da ughters-in-law and grandchildren This is a family of carpet- se\rcrn of threc'-generation family makels - the u,olk in the, calpet lactory In their' .spacious sitting room. his wife treat- Buying bools al n l,hasa lair. cd me to highland barlev wine and other Tibet- 28 Beijing Reuiew, No. 50 an delicacies. The room was furnished a colourfully decorated table and a row of Tibetan-"r'ith style cabinets. The stools wer€ covered with woven woollen cushions made by the family members; a radio cassette-recorder was playing a popular Tibetan song. Serf Becomes Director Miserable Past. Sangmodian was born into a serf family. His parents earned their living b1' weaving carpets. His father died when he was very young and when he was 10, his mothel' began to teach him how to make carpets. Though they u'ere allowed to produce and sell their own calpets in winter', they had to borrow money for raw materials. A loan of 100 yuan had to be repaid in two months writh a carpet wolth 200 yuan. Thus, the debts ac- Sangmodian. lhe faclory director. cumulated and finally. the creditt-rrs descended. taking belongings pressing pay- their and 1'or three big landowners the old Tibetan local Many ment. could do nothing but llce. government. the aristocracy- and the monasteries were removd was Sangmodian had fled to Xigaze to escape his - and he, a runaway serf. formet' Iord. There he. u,olked tor. :r big land- saved. ownel No1 long after''.r,ards. this man told He returned to Gyangze in 1960 and was him. "One oi my female serfs has run off to given land and a house by the government. By Gyangze. I want to send you thc'r'e in exchange ' cultivating land and weaving carpets, his fami- for her' This might have been tent - ! 29 <:i,._4- .. . , ._.- !i . li ASIAN GAMES the 29 swimming events. China had not won a single gold medal at the two .ili iii,.'-iu-: Notable Success fo, Cltina Previous :,: , l. ,'" 1,' games but at the Ninth Games it captured three. After 16 daYs of competition. Asian Games t-ecot'ds in 28 China for the first time was track and field events were im- Through hard training. a Chi- supreme in gold medals at the proved and over' 60 records were number of up-and-coming Ninth Asian Games. China equalled or- bettered in su'im- nese athletes have mastered golds JaPan. with 61 suPerseded Medals: China and Japan which had dominated the 'sih'er total ordet' Asian Games in the Past. lbronze The advanced u'orld levels oI 7th Asian Games i China :12 441 22 98 3 ( r971. Teher'an. It'an) i tht compr'titions in badmitr- Japan 67 40 i 19 15ri 1 I ton. diving. gvmnastics. hockeY, Bth Asian Games I China 51 51 46 r;r 2 (1978. Bangkok. Thai- table tennis. volleyball i1nd. to , .fuprn I ?0 59 49 17t| 1 land) , a lessel degree. shooting. 9th Asian Games China 61 51 11 r53 I rveightlifting and archer-r' rn'elc (i 9tl2 Nes' Delhi. India) Japan 57 52 4+ 153 2 a credit to all Asia. i In track and field and swirn- At the Se\ enttr Asian Gamcs. the nLlnlber Dt \\oits,htIiItilrB ('\('nts $as :10 In tiris tallle onl)'the medaLS lor thc 1{) ('lirsses o1 \\ ('Iqhtliltilltl lll!-()I p()l a1('(l ming erzents Asian athletes have in thc Eiahlil ,[r(i Ninth Asiarr Ganres nl (, tn( llraia!l not moved much nearet' world ming. weightlilting. shooting standards. Howevet'. the Per'- and archcr1". folmance oI CI'rina's high iump- er Zhu Jianhua. cle:rred China rrrade advances itt somt' "l'hr> 2.33 metles for the best '"vorld ol its r,l,e.ak aleas whilt' main- lesult this yeilr. \\/as exc(lp- taining its compt'litive edge' in tional tladitionallr' .\tl'()nq ()n('s In W i{r n ,&il u Jiirnhtra t'lt'tring ?.:Jll lnetl e\. thc skills and developed'distinc- ti\Ie styles and theY Performed rvell at the Ninth A.sian Games. The Chinest' diving ttlam rl'hich \\ras composed rrrostlY of teena- vetelans lllinistcr Indit ir Ganrlhi givirrg tut'dals (rr Chintr's \\ lJtllon gylunns(s' gt'r's. with onlS' 1*o Beijirtg Ret'ietu. No. 50 Li Kongzheng and Li Yihua, moves. Li Yihua, a woman dancy of its youthful athletes. pocketed all the gold and silver springboard diver, captivated However, China is still weak in medals. the audience with her breath- many events, swimming and Chinese athletes have devel- taking backward 2% somersaults track and field in particular oped many skilful, novel and tucked, while Li Kongzheng difficult movements. Wu Jiani. won the title in springboard The success of the Ninth Asian China's 16-year-old woman diving with 3l! forward somer- Games and the achievements of saults tucked, gymnast, was awarded 10 all the athletes are a credit to points in the balance beam for China's success at the Ninth all of Asia and welcomed by her graceful and complicated Asian Games marks the ascen- sportsmen woridwide, Chino Won Gold Medols in the Following: Irock ll Field: Men Gymnottics: High jump Zhu lionhuo 2.33 m Men Decoth lon Weng Kong- , 7 ,431 pt Teom event 290,65 pt qron9 lndividuol combined event Li Ning 117.25 pt 10,000m run Zhong Guowei 29 min 37.56 sec Floor exercise Tong Fei 19.80 pt 50km wolk Wong Chuntong 4hr9min36 Pommelled horse Li Xiooping, 19.80 pt 5ec Li Ning 19 80 pt Triple jump Zou Zhenxiqn 16,80 m Rings ti Ning 19.80 pt 4Xl00m reloy Wong Shoo- 39.82 sec Voulting horse Ltu Yun 19,55 pr m rng, He Boodong, Women Yu Zhuonghui, Teom event 193.30 pt Yuon Guo. lndividuol combined evenl Chen Yongyon 70,20 pt qrqng Voulting horse Li Cuiling 19.525 pr Discus Li Weinon 58.50 m Uneven bors Wu Jioni 19.800 pt Women Bqlqnce beom Wu Jioni 19.8@ pt Heptothlon Ye Peisu 5,594 pt Long jump Diving: Lioo Wenfen 6.41 m Shot-put Li Meisu 17 .77 m Men Discus Li Xioohui 5't,24 m Plotform Tong Hui 645.45 pt High jump Zheng Dozhen r,89 m Springboord Kongzheng pt Li 695.73 Shooting; Trop teom pt Women 532 Free smoll-bore rifle 3x4O 4,539 pt Flotform Lu Wei 511,17 pt teom Springboord [i Yihuq 592.6 pt Stondord rifle 3x20 teom 2,261 pa Rowing: Air rifle teom 2,249 pt Men Air rif le individuol Wu Xiooxuon 584 pt pt Single sculls Liu Gun Pistol ropid-fire teom 2,33E pt Poirs without coxswoin Ye Bingloi, Skeet shooting tedm 568 pl Wong Deping Skeet shooting individuol Zhu Chongfu 193 Poirs with coxswoin Xu Guoliong, foble Tennis: Yon Jun, Men Li Jionxin Teom event Fours with coxswoin Weiping, Liu Sing les Xie Soike Li Zhibin, Wong Hong- Womcn bing, feom event Si ng les Yonhuo Zhong Jinyu, Cqo Doubles Pon Honsheng Coo Yonhuo, Doi Lili Swimming: Mircd Men Doubles Xie Soike, 100m breoststroke Ye Runcheng 'l m in 5.93 sec Coo Vonhuo 2O0m individuol medley Li Zhongyi 2 min 10.93 sec Bodminton r 4!100m freestyle reloy Huong Guong- 3 min 33.74 sec Men lio n g, Teom event Huong Guohuo, Singles Hon Jion Won Qiong, Li Women Zhongyi Teom event Weightlitting: Sing les Zhong Ailing 56kg cotegory Wu Shude 257.5 ks Women's Boslctboll 60kg cotegory Chen Weiqiong 2A2.5 kg Women's Volleyboll 67.5k9 cotegory Yoo Jingyuon 307 5 kg Woler Polo 90kg cotegory Mo Wenguong 337.5 ks Men's Hondboll December 13, 1982 JI )t fr tr *lg. d fr. x -L -r fi )L += + il-& G{-TA#H STTJL}Y .= n + ; TOTJR-S * iE < o Chinese BEIJING TANGUAGES INSTITUTE, followed by o Ji Leorn ot t\ 10-doy tour of Chino-o unique opportunity for on in-depth 5 I people ond their culture, = understonding of the I o (Chinese Second Leorn Chinese from the best CSL os o Z= Longuoge) teochers ovoiloble. .t o Morning longuoge closses ond tolks on Chinese culture ond fi history. .fi +,1 6 . Afternoons free to explore the oncient copitol; or voluntory col' ligrophy or sing-olpng sessions, i'I. '{a o Culturol shows ond performonces in the evenings' Z ;'a . Weekend excursions to the Greot Woll, Ming Tombs, Chengde, Dotong, etc. o Voluntory eorly morning taijiquan, shodow boxing. . 1983 closs sessions: Spring-Feb, 24 to Mor' 30 Summer-July 11 to Aug, 19 Foll- Sept, 19 to Oct. 28 Some voconcies still ovoiloble. We con occept only o limited number of oppliconts. Speciol upgroding summer session for teochers of Chinese ovoiloble first in_198f. for the time - -- ing Centre )A K2C 3S4 (r: I :: :,. : 5960 -.6: l&- r*t&itrJ,{ j: n-}I.r