(Former) Chinese Premier ZHAO ZIYANG Reported Dead (Breaking)

Kyodo News, Tass, etc. ^ | 30 April 2003 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

It was reported on TASS and a couple of other news sources (I am reading them in Japanese), that former Chinese Premier ZHAO ZIYANG has died in Beijing. If true, he would have been 84.

If you recall, he was removed from power as he sided with the students during the 1989 Tienanmen Freedom uprising. There is a famous photo of him (above) addressing the young Chinese protestors with a little bullhorn, down in Tienanmen, before Deng Xiaoping ordered the tanks in.

From Tass, and others. Breaking. (9:05 am Eastern time Wednesday)

[AmericanInTokyo]

The claims now (per Kyodo) are: "heart failure".

[AmericanInTokyo]

Well, I guess he should NOT have meandered into the tavern and ordered up a SARSparilla.

[tallhappy]

Thanks for breaking this news.

It is big time.

Timing is amazing as well.

Time to push push push and topple the ChiComs.

[tallhappy]

Don't encourage these idiots who've posted responses.

They waste all our time and space with their stupid jokes and idiocy.

[Exit148]

Since Zhao was one of the good guys, If Li Peng has anything to do with the funeral, I bet it won't be very special.

With SARS around, they (the brass) will have an excuse to keep it low. also - if there is any special feelings from the public, they won't want another outpouring of the masses, as was the case when Zhou Enlai died.

I've always wondered how Zhao ZiYang was. I knew he was under house arrest, but I wondered how he spent his time. I'm sorry, but not surprised to hear of his death.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Do you think the current PRC, so-called 'reformist' leaders would have been ideologically closer to Zhao than to Li Peng and others who were for the bloody crackdown?

[tallhappy]

I am not sure who you mean, but the answer is Li Peng.

Look at Hu's record in Tibet.

These guys win their status by overseeing massacres and "campaigns" that entail widespread murder.

Unfortunately, with Sars and a huge power vaccuum and infighting, I was worried that such an action was going to have to occur soon to cement Hu's position or that of a challenger.

Now with Zhao dead, it all rachets up a notch -- maybe 10 notches.

[dmz]

and that post of yours was not a waste of space and time?

[adam_az]

LOL the only reason I opened this thread was to see how many messages in it would take for someone to mention SARS.

[Tijeras_Slim]

It wasn't the Kung Flu?

Or the other great commie disease, Kalashni-cough?

[Exit148]

Who is after Hu's position?

I'm aware of his involvement with the lamas in Tibet, but I thought he had reformist ideas/plans. I thought he would go along with the present leadership and their philosophy until he could safely make his move.

Not so? Of course the whole thing is more complicated than that, and the present epidemic is putting a damper on them all.

[aristeides]

Old people do the worst with SARS. Wasn't Zhao under house arrest in that leadership enclave in Peking?

[Grampa Dave]

It would be great if there was a massive breakout of the disease you noted, The other great commie disease, Kalashni-cough!

That is great!

[Grampa Dave]

Adam, if you have a ping list, please put me on it.

Your humor and mine run parallel. I just went through some of your past posts/replies. Fortunately, I swallowed my coffee before I did!

You have a great wit and take no Bravo Sierra!

[adam_az]

Thanks, appreciated... but no ping list! It's hard enough keeping up with this website without it interrupting my day job ;)

[Grampa Dave]

Well, if you can remember, please add me to your to line.

Great work re your posts and replies!

[InShanghai]

With your background on the history, you've obviously been an American in China too. I've read about Hua, the gang of four, and the coup. Not many people outside of China know it.

[AmericanInTokyo]

That's a good question. He could have been confined to Zhongnanhai, the government area, closed, for official residences. It's interesting. They wold NEVER admit he died of SARS though.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I first made it into China when literally everyone was wearing green or blue w/caps, and 98% of the people were on bikes, and all had red star badges. It was a different time I can tell you.
I was in Hong Kong right after Mao died and watched some of the upheaval from there, too.

[green team 1999]

his last word -"cough,cough",
is sars now killing the chinese leaders! is out of control!