China-new Respectability

Scan page 9

It can be no accident that the emergence into the world arena both politically and economically of the new Chinese bureaucracy under Teng Hsiao-ping coincided with a sympathetic 'China Week' on BBC TV.

The China that was the terrifying "bogey" of the bourgeois commentatórs of the past has now become an apparently harmless, interesting country with smiling stereotyped peasants.

The self-imposed isolation of the 50s and 60s where socialism was to be built while the capitalist world was ignored, has now gone.

The Teng bureaucracy at least recognises that it is impossible to disregard the pressures of the capitalist economies on China.

But instead of proceeding from this understanding to try and strengthen the Modern technology at work in China workers' movements throughout the world and give assistance to those fighting to end capitalism, they now seek to work within the rules laid down by imperialism.

Hence their new-found admirers among Western TV programme directors and newspaper hacks.

Teng and Li Hsien-nien, lollowing the example of bourgeois politicians, have become Asia-trotters.

Teng spent the beginning of February in Nepal on a state visit after being in Burma.

Li is soon to go to the Philippines, where he is to sign a contract for the sale of one million tons of petrol; and to Bangla Desh.

Japan trade

February 16 saw the signing of a long-term trade agreement between China and Japan which involves the exporting of Chinese crude oil and coal and the importing of Japanese industrial plant, construction materials and equipment.

Also Japanese steel experts are already in China advising on the setting up of a steel rolling mill in Shanghai.

Three Hitachi computers have been sold to China. The sale was delayed by objections-particularly from the US-that these could be used for military purposes.

It has eventually been agreed that the memory capabilities be reduced and that three technicians stay for three years to see the computers are just used for weather predictions.

Despite the intentions of the BBC, it was well worth watching the films shown from 4 February.

Advances The enormous advances that have been made in postrevolution China clearly shone through Joris Iven's China and even through Julian Pettifer's The Chinese Way.

They showed the great developments that could begin to be made when the profit motive is removed as the over-riding force in a society.

China has been transformed from a divided feudal country to a developing industrial society where the capitalist class ' has been removed by revolution.

And, although it is not a socialist society, as claimed, with the political overthrow of the parasitic Peking bureaucracy, the basis for a communist society will be laid.

Advantages

British workers watching the achievements made in China can draw conclusions about the advantages of kicking out the capitalist class here.

Joris Iven's films particularly also showed the changes that have taken place since 1972 (when they were made) and today.

Then, account had to be taken of the upsurge of the youth against the bureaucracy during the Cultural Revolution.

Even though this feeling was controlled and channelled by the Maoist wing of the bureaucracy, it could not just be ignored.

The films showed the efforts to eliminate the privileged status of Party cadres and the unquestioned authority of the officers and leading figures.

Explained

The bad effects of the bonus system and material incentives were explained. Efforts were made to show how criticism and questioning were encouraged.

This period has gone-even if in fact it ever existed as widely as indicated.

Material incentives, productivity deals and bonuses are now the officially sanctioned method of increasing production.

Leadership is to be obeyed without question.

To back this up a purge has been carried out with an unknown number of killings of real or supposed opponents.

The "Gang of Four" has been used as the scapegoat.

The latest leading member of the regime to lose his position is Saifudin.

He has been removed as First Secretary of the Party in Sinkiang and from all his other posts.

He has been replaced by Wang Feng who was First Secretary of the Party in neighbouring Kansu before the Cultural Revolution, but was removed in 1968.

Authority

This goes alongside efforts to reinforce the authority of the Party in the army.

A complete reorganisation of the main battalions is proposed. Particularly suspect are those who have maintained leading positions for a while and are accused of just "blowing with the wind" and hiding their true positions.

The debate also rages around the relative importance of up-to-date military equipment and professionally qualified soldiers or ideologically steeled cadre.

What is certain is that unquestioning allegiance to the direction of the new regime is the quality most required by the Stalinist bureaucracy in China todaywhile an independent struggle for political revolution, and the construction of conscious Trotskyist party, are needed by China's huge working class.

Scan page 10

MONSTRIAL On Saturday 11 February, delegates from 128 NALGO branches opposed to the Social LETS PHOTO: Andrew Wiard, Report