Subject: CACCP Weekly 8/10/97
Focus:
Getting ready for upcoming Florida Splendid China Protest demonstration on 10/12/97 to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the occupation of Eastern Turkestan.
1. Accomplishments
2. Plans
3. Action List
a. Florida Pleasure Passport Campaign
b. Collecting letters/articles
4. Misc.
a. PRC Defense Minister Vows Not To Renounce Use of Force Beijing Xinhua Hong Kong Service 1247 GMT 31 Jul 97
b. Taiwan: Decision To Downsize Provincial Operations Welcomed Taiwan Central News Agency WWW 0932 GMT 31 Jul 97
c. PRC To Allow Taipei, Tibet 'Peaceful' Demonstrations Hong Kong Hongkong Standard 26 Jul 97, p 1
d. 'Chinese Government Image Strategy' Under Study Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She 0633 GMT 28 Jul 97
e. Tibetan Arts Group Leaves for European Tour Beijing Xinhua 1253 GMT 27 Jul 97
f. Taiwan: Tibet To Open Representative Office in Taiwan Taiwan Central News Agency WWW 0838 GMT 23 Jul 97
g. Mainland Tightens Control Over Publications Hong Kong Ming Pao 21 Jun 97 p a12
h. Xinjiang Calls For 'People's War' Against Separatists Urumqi Xinjiang Ribao 17 Jul 97 p 1
i. 'Terrorists' in Xinjiang Unrest Receive Death Sentences Urumqi Xinjiang Television Network 1330 GMT 23 Jul 97
j. New Han Chinese Migrants Destroy Inner Mongolia Grassland Beijing Zhongguo Qingnian Bao 22 May 97 p 6
1. Accomplishments
Wrote letters
2. Plans
Assimilate incoming data...
3. Action List
a. Florida Pleasure Passport Campaign
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1730/fpp1.html
The business arrangement between AAA, Splendid China, Bok Tower, Cypress Gardens, and Fantasy of Flight is known as 'Florida Pleasure Passport'.
We have suggested letters to these establishments to ask them to stop supporting FSC. Your letters are still coming in as well as the responses from the particulars named above (minus FSC).
Addresses for mailing letters
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales, Florida 33853
Cypress Gardens
PO Box 1
Cypress Gardens, Florida
Fantasy of Flight
PO Box 1200
Polk City, Florida 33868-9417
American Automobile Association
Florida/Louisiana/Missippi AAA
1000 AAA Drive,
Heathrow, Florida, 32746-5080
Phone: 407-444-4000
b. Collecting letters/articles
Please send copies of your letters to the editors, school board members, etc., so that they can be included in our web-pages. Let your voice be heard. Thanks to those who have mailed your letters in.
Any articles mentioning Splendid China are welcome also, we prefer to re-print in it's entirety so we can't be blamed for an 'out-of-context' quotations.
4. Misc.
a. PRC Defense Minister Vows Not To Renounce Use of Force Beijing Xinhua Hong Kong Service 1247 GMT 31 Jul 97 By reporter Liu Dongkai
Beijing, 31 Jul (Xinhua) -- China's top party, government, and military leaders Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Qiao Shi, Li Ruihuan, Zhu Rongji, Liu Huaqing, Hu Jintao, and Rong Yiren joined more than 1,700 Chinese and foreign guests today to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army [PLA].
The grand reception sponsored by the Ministry of National Defense took place at the Great Hall of the People's reception hall. General Chi Haotian, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, state councilor, and minister of defense, chaired and addressed the reception.
He began his speech by reviewing the brilliant course the people's army has traversed under the CPC leadership in the struggle for national independence and liberation following the founding of the army, after the founding of New China, and ever since the country embarked on reform and opening up. He said: History has eloquently proved that, without the CPC armed with scientific theories, there would not be a socialist China enjoying thriving and vigorous development; and that without the people's army led by the CPC, the people would not be able to enjoy what they have now.
Chi Haotian said: At this period crucial for China's reform, opening up and modernization, the armed forces must, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Jiang Zemin as the core, uphold Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought, hold high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and push military construction in all fields into the 21st century. He stressed: The armed forces must firmly uphold the party's absolute leadership over them, maintain a high degree of ideological and political unity as well as unity in actions with the CPC Central Committee with Jiang Zemin as the core, and obey the command of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission in everything. The armed forces must always be loyal to the party, the motherland, the people, and socialism; serve the people wholeheartedly; and always maintain the characters of the people's army.
On the PLA garrisoning Hong Kong, Chi Haotian said: Troops garrisoning Hong Kong must loyally discharge their defense duties strictly in accordance with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law and the Garrison Law, and they must make positive contributions to maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Commenting on the issue of the motherland's reunification, Chi Haotian said: We will handle the Taiwan issue according to the basic principles for peaceful reunification; and one country, two systems. He stressed: We will never commit to renouncing the use of force. This position is meant for the Taiwan independence forces which want to divide the motherland, and for foreign forces' interference.
Also attending today's reception were Ding Guangen, Tian Jiyun, Li Lanqing, Li Tieying, Yang Baibing, Wu Bangguo, Zou Jiahua, Jiang Chunyun, Qian Qichen, Wei Jianxing, Wen Jiabao, Zhang Zhen, Zhang Wannian, and Ren Jianxin; as well as persons in charge of the CPC Central Committee, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, the Central Military Commission, and other relevant departments. Central Military Commission members Fu Quanyou, Yu Yongpo, Wang Ke, and Wang Ruilin also attended the reception.
Also attending the reception were persons in charge of all PLA headquarters, various services and arms, and the Armed Police Headquarters; representatives of military retirees and veteran cadres in Beijing; representatives of military heroes and models and military scientists and technicians who have had outstanding contributions; representatives of militia units, military dependents, families of revolutionary martyrs, models of government and military units in Beijing who have distinguished themselves in exchanging support, and former Kuomintang personnel who crossed over.
Members of the foreign diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations in Beijing, and military attaches of foreign embassies in China were also present at the reception.
b. Taiwan: Decision To Downsize Provincial Operations Welcomed Taiwan Central News Agency WWW 0932 GMT 31 Jul 97 By Lilian Wu
Taipei, July 31 (CNA)--Some scholars and media executives on Thursday praised the National Assembly's decision to downsize the Taiwan provincial government.
At a seminar sponsored by the Li Chi Society, a private organization, they said the downsizing of the provincial government in constitutional reforms by the National Assembly will have a positive impact on government efficiency and may prevent political problems that may arise in the future.
Huang Hui-chen, president of the Central Daily News, noted that the central and provisional governments currently overlap each other on up to 80 percent of the people and 98 percent of the land under their jurisdictions.
He said such a high degree of overlap not only is unheard of elsewhere in the world but also could lead to political instability. On mainland China's claims that the decision to streamline the provincial government is aimed at Taiwan independence, Huang said that Beijing makes similar assertions every time Taipei moves to further democratize the island.
Huang said Taiwan would not forsake its ideals and democratic reforms because of threats from mainland China.
Professor Li Shih-yuan of Chinese Cultural University said, although the Taiwan provincial government has been downsized by the National Assembly, it still exists. It has not been "scrapped" as claimed by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party. Professor Bao Chung-ho of National Taiwan University said that after the constitutional reforms go into effect, the president will have great power and need to rethink how to deal with the Legislative Yuan. Although the Legislative Yuan has lost the power to confirm or reject the president's nominee for premier, it has gained the ability to topple the Cabinet.
Under the new reforms, the president may dissolve the Legislative Yuan, but only when that body topples the Cabinet. Bao said that the president would have to consider carefully the decision to dissolve the legislature lest he risk losing the confidence of the public.
c. PRC To Allow Taipei, Tibet 'Peaceful' Demonstrations Hong Kong Hongkong Standard 26 Jul 97, p 1 By James Keily
Demonstrations advocating the independence of Taiwan and Tibet may be tolerated as long as they are peaceful, a senior government official has disclosed.
Acting Secretary for Security Carrie Yau Tsang Kalai said new guidelines spelled out what might constitute a threat to national security.
Under the Public Order Ordinance and the Societies Ordinance, Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on has the discretion to prohibit any meeting which may compromise this security. One of the considerations is whether such a public meeting would advocate separation from the People's Republic of China or the independence of Taiwan or Tibet.
"But if it's peaceful and not a breach of the peace, there's a possibility that such a procession would not be prohibited," Mrs Yau told members of the Provisional Legislative Council security panel. It would be up to an officer of the rank of senior assistant commissioner of police or above to invoke the grounds of national security at the time of notification of a demonstration. For a demonstration already under way, the officer in charge would have to decide what to do if one or two troublemakers joined what was otherwise deemed to be a peaceful protest. Philip Chan Kwan-yee, the acing deputy secretary for security, cautioned that national security was a new concept. PLC security panel chairman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee added that the public was concerned the provision could be used to crack down on demonstrations.
"The powers must not be exercised to curb freedom of expression of freedom of speech," she said.
Under the guidelines, any person not happy with a decision can seek a judicial review.
[Description of source -- Hongkong Standard -- one of Hong Kong's two major non-PRC-owned English-language daily neswpapers]
d. 'Chinese Government Image Strategy' Under Study Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She 0633 GMT 28 Jul 97
Beijing, 28 Jul (ZXS) -- What kind of image should the Chinese Government present to the international community? What role should it play in front of the Chinese people? To what extent should it reach in doing practical things for the people in order to satisfy the people and yet not to prompt administrative departments in charge to resort to fraudulent practices and to engage in formalism? Early this year, the Chinese Government Image Strategy Study Work Committee was inaugurated in Beijing, and the topic of the "Chinese Government Image Strategy" thus formally entered the study stage.
According to an analysis made by Hu Jiansheng, who brought up the topic of the "Chinese Government Image Strategy" and who is vice chairman of the Chinese Government Image Strategy Study Work Committee: The "Chinese Government Image Strategy" is an important issue that urgently needs to be solved in the current government construction, because, under the conditions of the socialist market economy, the government's function has changed and the change has posed new demands on the government.
Establishing a good image of the government, enhancing the consciousness of government organs and their workers to serve the people, and strengthening their relations and communications with the people, have become a demand of the times. Besides, from the founding to the construction of the nation, the ruling party has gone through a fairy long historical period; therefore, nowadays the people's expectations on national founders are noticeably different from those during the early years of the founding of the nation. Moreover, as exchange between China and the world increases, the international environment is also imposing a higher demand on the Chinese Government's image. Therefore, work to establish the image of the Chinese Government currently has become particularly important. But, studying the government's image from a strategic viewpoint so far is still a void. Even in foreign countries, no one has summed up the study to form a system. Hu Jiansheng said his committee planned to carry out the work in si
x aspects:
(1) Summing up all successful experiences in building the Chinese Government's image, and scientifically studying the strategy and tactics to establish a good image of the government;
(2) helping government organs and their workers to make themselves more conscious of building the government's image and to study and master the scientific method to build a good image of the government, in order to enable the government to enjoy higher prestige, and to have stronger cohesive force and rallying power and higher work efficiency;
(3) forcefully enhancing government departments' consciousness of being public servants to accelerate the building of material and spiritual civilizations;
(4) making the government's line, principle, and policy more understandable -- this will help realize the objectives laid down by the government, help the government create good internal and external relations and environments, and help develop socialist democracy, build a clean government, and safeguard the party central committee's prestige;
(5) fully exploiting resources for building the government's image, taking part in international competition, and meeting new requirements imposed by the new period, so that the government can enter the 21st century with a brand new image;
(6) using outstanding study results to fill in the void in the systematic study of the government's image from a strategic viewpoint, and at the same time promoting some exemplary experiences in successfully building the government's image.
The "Chinese Government Image Strategy" has been designated as this years' only self-selected topic for the political science group of the Ninth Five-Year Plan program of the State Social Sciences Fund. The Chinese Government Image Strategy Study Work Committee has invited from across the country dozens of scholars who are quite well-versed in the study of government image and leaders in the function of relevant government departments to compile the 2.5 million-word "Chinese Government Image Strategy" and the 2.5 million-word "One Hundred Examples in the Building of the Chinese Government Image". The two books are scheduled to be published and distributed in November this year.
e. Tibetan Arts Group Leaves for European Tour Beijing Xinhua 1253 GMT 27 Jul 97
Beijing, July 27 (XINHUA) -- Cedain Zhoima, a Tibetan singer with nationwide appeal, has no doubt that the ancient traditional Tibetan Songs she soon will be singing to European audiences will be received with cheers and applause.
"I'm convinced that these songs, which are beloved by Tibetans and other ethnic groups throughout the country, will also be liked by the Europeans," she said.
Zhoima, together with 29 other outstanding Tibetan artists, left Beijing today on a 40-day three-nation European tour. The Tibetan arts group will attend several international festivals in Italy and Switzerland, and then hold several cultural exchange activities in Greece at the invitation of the Greece-China Friendship Association.
This is the first time China's Tibet autonomous region has presented its traditional music, dance and other art forms to these three European countries.
"The purpose of this visit is to introduce the rich and colorful traditional culture of Tibet to Europe, to show the Tibetan people's lifestyle, and to let Europe know more about our region," said Danzim, deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of Tibet, just before the group left China.
Like Zhoima, other performers are excited about the tour, which will give them a good chance to experience and appreciate the ancient culture of Europe.
They are also pleased to be able to demonstrate their own culture, and believe that their different styles of art will be well received by the European people.
"We represent our country, we represent all the Tibetan people, and through our performances we will let people of Europe know about the great changes that have taken place in Tibet," Zhoima said.
f. Taiwan: Tibet To Open Representative Office in Taiwan Taiwan Central News Agency WWW 0838 GMT 23 Jul 97 By C.H. Ou and Flor Wang
Vienna, July 22 (CNA) -- Parris Chang, legislator of the Republic of China's opposition Democratic Progressive Party, disclosed on Tuesday [22 July] that Tibet will open a representative office in Taiwan next month.
Citing sources close to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, Chang said the major task of the office, to be headed by a close aide of the Dalai Lama, is to promote relations with Taiwan. Stressing that non-violence has become the dominant approach in the post-Cold War era, Chang said Tibet's success in using peaceful means to gain international support provides a good example for Taiwan to follow.
Chang made the remarks in Tallinn, Estonia, after attending the annual meeting there Monday and Tuesday of the Underrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization.
The ROC lawmaker, who headed the meeting, told attendees that the "quiet revolution" of the Republic of China was a realization of the spirit of non-violence.
Pointing out that Taiwan has the right to defend itself, Chang said Taiwan's democratization efforts amid military threats from Beijing are aimed at creating a "win-win" situation for both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He added that Taiwan is willing to pay the price for safeguarding its freedom and democracy.
Chang called Beijing's attempts to impose its rule on Taiwan a "new colonialism" that goes against international trends, and he said he regrets that the United Nations sits with its arms crossed in the face of Beijing's threats to use force against the island. Chang is scheduled to proceed to Finland, where he will meet some government officials and members of parliament.
g. Mainland Tightens Control Over Publications Hong Kong Ming Pao 21 Jun 97 p a12
"Special Dispatch": "Publication Policy Tightens, Many Works Singled Out"
Since a historical novel entitled "Wrath of God" has already produced a negative impact both at home and overseas, press and publishing departments in Beijing have recently issued instructions to publishing houses in all localities, requiring them to proceed from the need to maintain the stability of the society and pay close attention to the political tendencies of their publications. A source has revealed that officials from the State Press and Publications Administration have specified a dozen aspects wherein people are required to take note of the political tendencies of literary works, criticized many literary works by name, and accused the novel "Wrath of God" and other works of seizing upon the most minor errors as a whole and of playing up the negative effects of reform and opening up. Not surprised at the recent moves made by departments in charge of the publishing work concerning the political tendencies of publications, people from cultural circles in Beijing believe that at this crucial historica
l moment, when both Hong Kong's return and the convocation of the 15th party congress are round the corner, the top CPC leadership has the need to remove the interruption of "publications" which may cause ideological confusion among people; however, what they are doing may also produce the objective effect of tightening control over literary policies. "Wrath of God" Has Triggered "Resentment of Man" [subhead] The State Press and Publications Administration has made the following criticism: The novel "Wrath of God" is based on the case of former Beijing Party Secretary Chen Xitong, yet most of its contents do not tally with facts, producing a very bad influence on society. What is more, this book failed to go through normal procedures for manuscript examination and approval, and people involved will be subjected to further investigation.
Among the publications criticized by name by the officials of the State Press and Publications Administration are historical novels including "Biography of Chen Yonggui," "A True Record of Riot Suppressions in Tibet," "Lin Biao Before 1956," "The Biggest Unjust Case of the Republic," and "Zhou Enlai's Notebook," as well as such political commentaries as "A China That Can Say No" and "Doubts of God."
Sources claim that what the authorities complained about the most is the excessive number and the low taste of works based on the personal lives of state leaders. What is more, most such works have failed to go through normal procedures for manuscript examination and approval. According to relevant stipulations of the authorities, all biographies of state leaders at and above the level equivalent to Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as all works on the subject of the Great Cultural Revolution, must be submitted to the Central Office for Party History Work and other relevant departments for examination and approval. In reality, however, many commercial publishing houses are trying their best to evade the stipulated examination procedures by means of passive resistance in their pursuit of high profits.
"Portraying Negative Characters in a Positive Way" [subhead] Officials have pointed out that in recent years, biographies of political figures have come out in large numbers throughout the country.
Most of these biographies are good, yet an excessive number of works dwell on the personal lives of top Kuomintang leaders, thus giving rise to a tendency of "portraying negative characters in a positive way" and revoking settled cases in history. It is reasonable that some works have turned Mao Zedong from a "God" to a "man"; yet turning Chiang Kai-shek from a "devil" into a "man" will raise the question as whom the author is trying to glorify. It has been learned that an official from the Central Propaganda Department has sternly asked the publishing sector this question: We have published the biographies of so many key figures of the Kuomintang, yet have you ever seen anyone in Taiwan as enthusiastic about publishing the biographies of our CPC leaders?
Officials from the State Press and Publications Administration have also complained that among publications concerning the history of the CPC, the army, and the Republic, many are of a deductive nature, with focus placed on unveiling and exposing secrets. Certain Historical Materials Should Not Be Made Public [subhead] The authorities have warned editors and compilers that not all historical facts can be made public. Some should not be publicized; others are just for people to skim through but not for them to dig into; still others cannot be collected or published. Posing as a collection of all unjust cases on the mainland, the novel "The Biggest Unjust Case of the Republic" is said to have given its readers a false sense that today's China is as dark as pitch.
As regards works focusing on international and diplomatic subjects, the Administration has required commercial publishing houses to keep the same approach and have the same sense of propriety. A system of strict scrutiny ought to be introduced for works on military subjects, and special attention should be paid to avoiding the more sensitive subject of China's war against Vietnam in the 1980s.
h. Xinjiang Calls For 'People's War' Against Separatists Urumqi Xinjiang Ribao 17 Jul 97 p 1
On 15 July, Amudun Niyaz, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Autonomous Regional People's Congress, stressed at a rally of the cadres of Ili Autonomous Prefecture and its prefectures and cities that the masses should be extensively mobilized to wage a people's war against ethnic separatism and illegal religious activities in a bid to make contributions to safeguarding the motherland's unification and social stability. Amudun Niyaz noted that the party committees and governments of Ili Autonomous Prefecture and of its prefectures, counties, and cities have done fruitful work for conscientiously implementing the party Central Committee's and the autonomous regional party committee's various policies on safeguarding stability. The situation in the area of Ili is good as its society is stable and production is normal, and the spirited masses of all nationalities have been going all out to safeguard the motherland's unification and social stability.
Amudun Niyaz pointed out: The serious incidents of beating, smashing, looting, and rioting which broke out in Yining City on 5 February this year have subsided, but a handful of ethnic separatists will never resign themselves to defeat, so we must keep heightening our vigilance and have a profound understanding of the fact that ethnic separatism and illegal religious activities are the main perils affecting the stability of Xinjiang. Our struggle with ethnic separatists is neither an ethnic question nor a religious issue, but a political struggle between separatism and anti-separatism, efforts to enhance unity and attempts to undermine unity, and efforts to defend national security and attempts to jeopardize national security. Amudun Niyaz said: The handful of ethnic separatists always overestimate themselves and have tried in vain to fulfill their dream by relying on anti-China forces abroad. This is absolutely futile.
Today's China is not the China of old, and its power has been fully demonstrated by Hong Kong's smooth reversion this year. All conspiratorial attempts to split up the unified motherland will be smashed to pieces as we have the party Central Committee's and the autonomous regional party committee's correct leadership, the support of numerous cadres and the broad masses of all nationalities, and the strong backing of the people's democratic dictatorship. Xinjiang has been an inseparable part of the motherland since ancient times and no forces can possibly cut Xinjiang away.
Amudun Niyaz pointed out: In waging the struggle against ethnic separatism, we must unify with all the forces that can be united, and form a broad united front. It is necessary to thoroughly carry out legal education among the broad masses of all nationalities, particularly the study of Criminal Law, so that they will be able to distinguish between what is legal and illegal and what constitutes an offense and does not constitute an offense, and to know how to struggle with bad people and protect their own legitimate rights and interests with the aid of law.
Amudun Niyaz said that in the midst of this struggle, we must have a strict grasp of policy limits, correctly distinguish between contradictions of two different natures, and educate the masses on a larger scale, so as to deal a blow against the enemy in a steady, precise, and vigorous manner.
Since his arrival in Yining on 12 July, Amudun Niyaz has conveyed greetings to officers and men of the armed police and public security police officers, called on the bereaved families of the cadres and masses killed by ruffians, and held discussions with religious personages and veteran cadres.
i. 'Terrorists' in Xinjiang Unrest Receive Death Sentences Urumqi Xinjiang Television Network 1330 GMT 23 Jul 97
Ili Prefectural Intermediate People's Court and Yining City People's Court held a judgment pronouncement rally yesterday [22 July] and handed down severe judgments on a group of violent terrorists and criminals who participated in the serious disturbances involving assault, damage, looting, and arson on 5 February, and on a number of other serious offenders. [video opens with a medium shot of a two-storey building; a banner with a black background hangs in front of the balcony on the second floor; on the banner are white characters in Uygur and Chinese. The Chinese characters read: "Judgment Pronouncement Rally of Ili Prefectural Intermediate People's Court and Yining City People's Court"] A total of 29 violent terrorists and other serious criminals involved in 12 cases received verdicts at the rally. Nine received death sentences, three received death sentences with reprieves, seven received life sentences, one was sentenced to 18 years in prison, and the other nine were sentenced to no more than 15 years o
f fixed-term imprisonment. [video shows a row of at least eight military trucks in front of the building; the prisoners are on the trucks; they are all bound with ropes and carrying placards inscribed with Chinese and Uygur characters on their chests; each criminal is escorted by one or two armed police officers who press his head down and pin his hands behind his back] (Hapaer Tielaiti), who faced charges of intentional injury that caused death, and the gang of (Aishanjiang Imamu), (Alimujian Uliwasi), (Abdukrimu Tudahon), and (Abdureyimu Maimaiti), who participated in, organized, and took the lead in cases of theft and making explosives, were sentenced to death. An offender in the same cases, (Halimaimaiti Silamu), received a death sentence with reprieve. (Abdushala Abdumijiti), who was charged with intentional injury that caused death, arson, and hooliganism, received a life sentence. (Rihemaitijiang Rebuke) was sentenced to 18-years' imprisonment for intentional injury that caused death and hooliganism.
Four other serious criminals were sentenced to death: (Sidike Rozi) and (Maimaitijiang Urmaimaiti) for intentional homicide, (Ma Chenglin) for drug trafficking, and (Tang Jun) for theft. Over 4,000 people of various nationalities from various circles attended the judgment pronouncement rally.
(Kurbanjiang), deputy party secretary and administrative office commissioner of Ili Prefecture, spoke at the rally. He said: Party committees and governments at autonomous prefectural, prefectural, and city levels; public security, procuratorial, and judicial authorities; and armed police corps in Ili have conscientiously implemented the party Central Committee's series of important guidelines and spirit on maintaining stability in Xinjiang, meticulously organized and launched a special intensive rectification of public order, and accomplished significant results through their efforts. The judgment pronouncement rally today has once again forcefully clamped down on the arrogance of the enemy, guarded the sanctity of the law, upheld justice for people of all nationalities, fully demonstrated the strong power of the people's democratic dictatorship, demonstrated the party and government's firm determination to crack down on national separatism and on safeguarding national unification and political stability in
Ili, and aroused the fighting will of the masses, police, and armymen of all nationalities. Administrative Office Commissioner (Kurbanjiang) said: The current situation in Ili Prefecture is good. But we should also be clearly aware that the struggle against national separatism is a long-term, incisive, and complicated mission. People of all nationalities must work together to fight the enemy; exert greater efforts to fight them; and firmly carry out to the end the struggle against core national separatist members, violent terrorists and criminals, and leading religious extremists. [video shows citizens sitting in order and Kurbanjiang addressing the rally from the balcony]
New Han Chinese Migrants Destroy Inner Mongolia Grassland Beijing Zhongguo Qingnian Bao 22 May 97 p 6
Article by Wang Qiucai (3769 4428 2088): "How Can the Inner Mongolian Prairie at Alxa Be So Wantonly Dug Up?"
On 30 March [1997], on the wild prairie north of Alxa Left Banner, Inner Mongolia, another open clash occurred between the "facai army" invading that Banner to rake up and gather facai and local grasslands law enforcement officers and armed police. Around 200 outside peasants surrounded the law enforcement officers, beating the policemen, which finally resulted in two officers being severely injured, and some dozen peasants suffering slight injuries. Before that, a shepherd taking part in an action to remove the facai diggers was stabbed six times by a peasant from Toxin County, Ningxia, and remains in the hospital under treatment.
The environmental problems of Alxa are a focus of worldwide attention. In 1996, some dozen domestic specialists issued a joint appeal to save the "green prairies." The sandstorms that have been a focus of world attention due to their repeated raids on the Hexi [west of the Huang He] Corridor and the Alxa region swept across the land once again in April 1996. Lakes are drying up, with the prairies subject to desertification and deterioration...despite which brutal reality, the man-made environmental destruction is growing ever more intense, being an exploitative destruction of the wild prairie by the facai diggers and gatherers. On the 100,000 square kilometers of grasslands in Alxa, there is a local wilderness specialty— facai (a variety of blue green algae). As the facai market price has climbed steadily in recent years (100-180 yuan per jin), the delicate and silklike facai has attracted large numbers of peasants and idlers from neighboring provinces and regions. This facai army digs and lives in cav
es, cutting and burning the irrigated grass for heat and cooking, and pursuing a triple scorched-earth policy (cut all, gather all, and burn all) wherever it goes, so that when its steel rakes pass through, the dust rolls and the grasslands wither.
The two Alxa Banners of Left and Right both now have a certain area of prairie that has lost its livestock raising value due to longstanding raking and gathering by outsiders, with many herdsmen having been forced to emigrate or end up as "environmental refugees" due to the loss of their grasslands. The day when they can finally drive out this invading army of rakers, to regain their peaceful homeland, is the time that the 100,000-plus people of Alxa look forward to most.
