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

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

[AmericanInTokyo]

You might want to temporarily take your tin foil wrap down, adam.

Re: SARS and Zhao, I believe I have found an interesting, possible ' smoking gun' just now (New York Times):

"In early April, around the time that top leaders were first acknowledging the dangers of SARS, the respiratory disease infected the group executive director of the biggest government-owned financial conglomerate and at least four people at the Commerce Ministry, including a senior official overseeing foreign business ties, according to employees of the business and the agency. SARS even passed through the heavily guarded gates of Zhongnanhai, the exclusive leadership compound in the heart of the capital, infecting a maid who works for the widow of Chen Yun, family friends said. Mr. Chen, a veteran of the Long March who died in 1995, was long considered the only senior leader with influence to rival that of Deng Xiaoping, China's top leader from 1978 until his death in 1997. While there is no indication that President Hu Jintao or other members of the party's ruling Politburo have been exposed to SARS, the authorities have quarantined an unknown number of people inside the leadership compound, according to people who work there."

If I am not mistaken, Zhao Ziyang was under house arrest and he may well have been confined to a residence in the elite ZHONGNANHAI (in Beijing, just to the west of Tienanmen Square on Changan Blvd; been by the front of that place a few times, FYI).

[AmericanInTokyo]

ping and bump on my # 41

[tallhappy]

Yes, Zhao has been under house arrest. It's doubtful he died of Sars and would be irrelevant anyhow -- he's over 80 years old.

Zeng Qinghong is considered to be the Deng to Hua Guofeng.

The power struggle more involves Jiang and Li Peng and Zhu Rongji cliques more than Hu or the newer generation. They are not at that level yet.

The influence of Zhao is not to be underappreciated, even after his purge.

Hu actually was a protogee of Zhao back in the pre-Tiananmen massacre days. Zhao was incredibly effected in moving China forward during his tenure. Everything positive today can be traced back to his administration. Before Tiananmen it was a much more innocent time in China.

[adam_az]

"You might want to temporarily take your tin foil wrap down, adam."

"...may well have been confined to a residence in the elite ZHONGNANHAI"

Educated speculation, but speculation no less.

The tinfoil stands until further notice. ;)

I take any news coming out of China with a really big grain of salt.

[FreepForever]

Former Chinese PM Zhao Ziyang dies of heart ailment: Kyodo 

Japan's Kyodo news agency says former Chinese Communist Party chief and Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang has died of heart ailment, but other sources suggest the elderly reformer is still alive and well. Kyodo said Mr Zhao died in a Beijing hospital on April 28 at the age of 83. There was no official word from China's state media. Mr Zhao became the party's general secretary in 1987 and advocated economic reforms and an open foreign policy. But he was ousted from his posts in 1989 as he opposed a policy of oppression and sought dialogue with pro-democracy students demonstrating in Tiananmen Square.

Kyodo said Zhao Ziyang died on April 28. That was three days ago. It is highly unusual for such a long delay for the official announcement of a high official's death. Such practice suggest another cover-up and news blackout after the SARS debacle. I doubt that they will ever announce it. The new administration is very shaky. Below: from Kyodo

I have just checked some Chinese BBS/forum sites. No news about this within the last few days. Also, Premier Wan JaiBao, who was attending the SARS conference in Bangkok cut short his visit (he stayed in Bangkok for under 24 hours) to get back to China. There must be something unusual but he just didn't want to cause alarm.

If my guess is correct, some units of the People’s Liberation Army will soon be put on alert for any public demonstration in memory of their well loved and remembered leader. In 1989, public memorial demonstrations for Hu YaoBang triggered off the month long protest which ended up in the Tiananmen massacre which shocked the whole world.

The situation doesn't look good. My worry is: Jiang and the ultra-left faction of the CCP may see this as an opportunity to depose Hu JinTao.

[FreepForever]

Former Chinese PM Zhao Ziyang dies of heart ailment: Kyodo 

Japan's Kyodo news agency says former Chinese Communist Party chief and Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang has died of heart ailment, but other sources suggest the elderly reformer is still alive and well. Kyodo said Mr Zhao died in a Beijing hospital on April 28 at the age of 83. There was no official word from China's state media. Mr Zhao became the party's general secretary in 1987 and advocated economic reforms and an open foreign policy. But he was ousted from his posts in 1989 as he opposed a policy of oppression and sought dialogue with pro-democracy students demonstrating in Tiananmen Square.

Kyodo said Zhao Ziyang died on April 28. That was three days ago. It is highly unusual for such a long delay for the official announcement of a high official's death. Such practice suggest another cover-up and news blackout after the SARS debacle. I doubt that they will ever announce it. The new administration is very shaky. Below: from Kyodo

I have just checked some Chinese BBS/forum sites. No news about this within the last few days. Also, Premier Wan JaiBao, who was attending the SARS conference in Bangkok cut short his visit (he stayed in Bangkok for under 24 hours) to get back to China. There must be something unusual but he just didn't want to cause alarm.

If my guess is correct, some units of the People’s Liberation Army will soon be put on alert for any public demonstration in memory of their well loved and remembered leader. In 1989, public memorial demonstrations for Hu YaoBang triggered off the month long protest which ended up in the Tiananmen massacre which shocked the whole world.

The situation doesn't look good. My worry is: Jiang and the ultra-left faction of the CCP may see this as an opportunity to depose Hu JinTao.

[FreepForever]

Who is after Hu's position?

Jiang only reluctantly agreed to step down from the presidency due to the strong undercurrent within the Politburo to unseat him becasue he was accused of keeping the throne for too long (they were calling him Emperor Jiang from behind).

When he finally decided to step down, he wanted to appoint his own man, Zeng QingHong, to take his seat so that he can prolong his rule in the background. However, the power struggle and the strong opposition prevented that from happening.

[Exit148]

" 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 didn't get there till '84, but it was as you said. Mao jackets in blue or gray was the fashion and all the women word black or dark pants. Only peoples underwear, and the children's clothes, were brightly colored.

[Exit148]

"Hu actually was a protogee of Zhao back in the pre-Tiananmen massacre days. Zhao was incredibly effected in moving China forward during his tenure. Everything positive today can be traced back to his administration. Before Tiananmen it was a much more innocent time in China."

So Hu's backers are Zhao's people? (or at least of like mind and power)

What is the general age of Li Peng's backers? I had thought the conservatives were on their way out, or were dying out).

One more question -- where, politically, does Zhu Rongji stand with regard to Hu and Li? Does he have that much punch? (that's 2 questions. Sorry!)

[Eva]

Interesting, thanks for posting.

[tallhappy]

So Hu's backers are Zhao's people? (or at least of like mind and power)

No. Absolutely not.

Zhao has no backers in any position of authority. Zhao's backers have spent time in prison.

When Hu was Zhao's protogee it was different. Zhao was "President" and it was pre-Tiananmen when taking sides concerning massacre-ing citizens had not become a litmus test.

Hu is in the position he is today becaue Deng Xioping mapped it out shortly after Tiananmen square. He placed Jiang in his position to replace Zhao and designated Hu to be Jiang's successor.

Zhao's closest associates, such as Bao Tong, were jailed. Bao is out of jail now and still has no "political rights." Zhao, if alive, is still under house arrest and will be til he is dead.

[AmericanInTokyo]

It was odd. The man (ZZY) was under house arrest from Tienanmen, and yet he is reported to have been 'perfecting his game of golf' as his main activity in life since being pulled down from power.

[Exit148]

Thanks for clearing that up. I knew that Zhao's secretary (Bao)had been imprisoned and was released, and I figured he was in a no-mans land (so to speak) at this time.

So it sounds as tho Deng's influence, from the grave, is stronger than some of the present factions.

How will SARS affect all this? They are all dealing with a different citizenry than in the late 80's, and 90's. I assume nationalism is still strong, but who actually gets the people's favor?

[tallhappy]

Yeah. They let him play golf. That's probably his main past-time.

I'm sure he leads a nice life - almost aristocratic - as far as those things go.

[tallhappy]

What the current Sars hysteria shows is that the regime is deeply sensitive to how the outside perceives them.

Sars also could hurt their position, even be their downfall. It's referred to as the Chinese Chernobyl in that it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in terms of credibility with the populace.

I don't know. I think the regime and system is so monolithic with so much inertia its hard to imagine anything changing or even happening, good or bad, over anything.

[Exit148]

" I don't know. I think the regime and system is so monolithic with so much inertia its hard to imagine anything changing or even happening, good or bad, over anything.

Shades of Confucianism!

[tallhappy]

Interesting observation.