:,-.. , r,. .:f-rj: +:',::.. i1:-. -..:i rril €,.,..,.,. I..'-.a,1.E.;ia.r:l :l .l:.1.', ,:, :::'.r:*: lfs' never too 'lot'* ta ?ry sarnelhirtg, 1t**. YaAS Ynntruilg Wu Xueqian Talks On World Situation I I r In an interview with reporters on.December 3l , 1986, Sr]ate Councitor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian answcied questions on the world situation. He pointed out that the f,"]ues working for world peace were g.o*ing faster than the fa, l.,rs for war and the efforts for world peace have a brighter futr' p. l4). Democracy & Legal System r China still needs to improve its democracy and legal syst;m. To accomplish this, it is imperative to adhere to the Parjty's leadership and the socialist road. The recent stu(fent demonstrations have disrupted normal production and w,rrk. It is hoped that under the correct guidance of the governm:nt, school authorities and society the students will halt all harrgful actions (p. 4). Steady Growth of China's National Economy r A senior official of the State Economic Commission says China's national economy kept up a steady development in 1986, both in rural and urban areas. Problems, however, persist (p.17). For Better City Environlhental Protection r After more than a decade's effort. China made some progress in environmental protection by checking air pollution, controlling noise, and planting trees, as examplified by the <,;ase of Luoyang (see subduing the "Yellow Dragon"). However pollution remains a serious problem and the work to overc()me it will be long and hard (p. 22) NA-l. Trends in Sino-US trade NA-3 Popular condensation of Joseph Needham's rtScience and Civilisation in China" published NA-7 New memorial to Dr. Norman Bethune Editorial Advisory Committee, ofSocial Sciences, Director ofthe Institute ofAmerican Studies), Zeng Jianhui (Deputy Director of Xinhua News Agency), Peng Beijing Reyiew, North American Edition Di (member of the Secretariat of Chinese Journalists Associ rtion and former US bureau chief of Xinhua News Agency), Ying Chalrman: Zhu Muzhi (President of the Association [or Cultural Ruocheng (Vice-Minister of Culture). Gu Yijian (Secretary Exchanges with Foreign Countries, former Minister of Culture). General of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Zou Siyi illemberc: Huan Xiang (Chief Executive of the International (President of China Industry and Commerce Developrnent Affairs Research Centre of the State Council), Zhang Wenjin Corp.), Huang Shiqi (Vice-President of the China Assoc, rtion (President of the Chinese People's Association lor Friendship for International Exchanges in klucation), Su Shaozhi (dir:ctor with Foreign Countries, former Ambassador to the United of the Marxisrn, l.eninism and Mao Zedong Thought.Res:arch States and Canada), Israel Epstein (member of National Institute). Committee oi the Chinese People's Political Consultative Executlve Vice-Chairman: Duan Liancheng (Vice-Presidt nt of Conference,) Li Shenzhi (Vice-President of the Chinese Academy the Chinese Translators Association). I NOTES FROM THE EDITORS trampled undeifoot and their Democracy & Legal System individual liberties disregarded. The turmoil was a tragic disaster by An ZhlEuo for the state and the people, an overwhelming majority of whom were affected. to speak out now than in previous Recently, some university stu- ff :"' "8X,'llH, io"o"f",l} years. This is in sharp contrast dents in Hefei (Anhui Proviqce), R Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing and of China have repeatedly stressed with the situation during the that establishing a.democratic "cultural revolution" (196C76). other cities took to the streets calling for freedom and democ- socialist political system is one of Under the leadership of the racy. Their actions did not have the fundamental . tasks of the Party, the Chinese people are the support of local residents. This socialist revolution. The new carrying out economic and shows that the people detested the Constitution People's political reforms. These reforms, of the chaos so+alled "mass Republic of China passed at the being unprecedented and experi- of the democracy," and value their hard- 1982 National People's Congress mental, cannot be expected to be won political stability and unity. says that people of all nationalities Most of the students who took in China must "turn China into a part demonstrations were socialist country with a high level in the con- of culture and democracy." well-intentioned; they were C *oo', reforms are & cerned support democracy and Over the last eight years China to process improving the freedom; they were impatient has experienced sustained, stable of but extreme actions. and balanced economic develop- socialist system. To ensure and some took a few students had only a ment, political stability and a Quite their success, it is vague understanding of democ- strengthening of its socialist to adhere the freedom, and were democracy and legal system. hnperative to racy and unable define exactly what it China has abolished the system Party's leadership ond the to were seeking. Some of cadres for life, and direct was they socialist road. seemed that democracy elections have been introduced in to think and freedom meant they could do county-level people's congresses whatever they wanted to. as well as some work units. smooth or satisfactory in every China's socialist democratic Deputies to the people's con- aspect. Even the best decisions can system is not perfect, and so it is gresses above that level are elected only be implemented step by step. from among a larger necessary to continue building up number of This is also true of building political life. All nominees, whose names are only a democratic democracy. suggestions and constructive criti- decided upon after repeated Democracy is not an isolated by the Party discussions among various cism are welcomed social phenomenon but is condit- government. is democratic parties and people's and But it ioned by many factors including important remember that organizations. The role the to of the economy, the social environ- China's reforms are a process of NPC, the highest state organ, is ment, ideology and culture. system. To being strengthened. is playing improving our socialist It Therefore, building democracy imperative to an increasingly decisive role in ensure success, it is can only progress along with adhere to the Party's leadership formulating important state prin- economic, political, and cultural policies and the socialist road-this is ciples and and supervising developments. No their implementation. enshrined in the Constitution. The "cultural revolution" was one is allowed, on any pretext, to During the reform of the once known for its "mass move away from the Party's economic structure, enterprises democracy." But in fact that is a leadership and the socialist road, were granted greater decision- mockery of the truth. In those nor is one allowed to infringe on making powers and the super- days some people spoke out freely, the democratic rights and free- visory role of the workers' wrote big-character posters and doms of others. congress was promoted. In the held great debates. Under the frelds of literature, art and science, pretext of practising such "mass Some students are concerned the policy of "letting a hundred democracy," they made ground- only with their freedom to flowers bloom and a hundred less charges against others and did demonstrate but they forget that schools of thought contend" has what they wished, free from the in exercising their rights, they been implemented. Visitors will restraints of law. The democratic must not harm the interests of the notice a much greater willingness t rights of most people were state, the society and the BEIJING REVIEW, No.2 I EYENTS/TRENDS New Year in Beijing Ithina's experience in 1986 China will also continue to V proved again that the nation improve socialist democracy and could have achieved no success in legal system, he said. He added its reforms and economic develop- that at present, the Chinese people ment without the leadership of the should do everything to ensure Chinese Communist Party, Vice- stability and unity and resist any President Ulanhu said January I ideological trend towards in Beijing. bourgeois liberalization. "Any words or actions that Other New Year's Day activ- deny the Party's leadership and ities included a gathering of about the socialist system or advocate 4,000 Beijing children at bourgeois liberalization are essen- Tiananmen Square, the centre tially against the people's inter- of the capital. They took part in.a ests. and the historical trend, and ceremony at the Monument to the collective, or infringe on the rights will surely be opposed by the People's Heroes, and 100 took of others. In Shanghai and people," said Ulanhu, who is a turns standing guard at the Nanjing for example, student Mongolian. monument to honour "the demonstrations in downtown Ulanhu made his remarks at a beautiful future of the areas held up city traffic for a reception held by the National motherland." while. So people missed trains and Committee of the Chinese On New Year's Day, 1987, ships, many more could not get to People's Political Consultative many shop assistants in Beijing work in tirne. Conference (CPPCC) and atten- gave up their holiday to serve To guarantee citizens their ded by more than 400 people from customers. Holiday business was legitimate rights as laid down in all walks of life. He also offered brisk despite the freezing cold and the Constitution, some cities have New Year's greetings from the more snow than the city has seen drawn up regulations concetning Party's Central Committee and in several years. Admission to all demostrations. This is essential to the State Council to China's non- public parks was free that day. the further improvement of communist parties, to people Tourists and residents alike democracy and the legal system.