Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T07:39:21.644Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Chinese Communist Party and the Collapse of Soviet Communism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2009

John W. Garver
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

The collapse first of Communist rule of the USSR and then of the USSR itself was without question one of the pivotal events of the era. Since China's 20th-century history has been so deeply influenced by Soviet developments, it is important to examine the impact of these events on China. This article asks, first, whether the top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), had a deliberate policy towards the decline of Soviet Communism, and if so, what was the nature of that policy? Did the CCP attempt to assist their comrades in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) as the latter battled for survival during 1990 and 1991?

Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 133 , March 1993 , pp. 1 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © The China Quarterly 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Xinhua, , 20 August 1991, in Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Daily Report, China, (hereafter FBIS–CHI), 20 08 1992, p. 7Google Scholar.

2. Renmin ribao, (People's Daily), 28 August 1991, in FBIS-CHI, 28 August 1991, PP. 2–3.

3. China's response to German unification will be analysed in a forthcoming paper.

4. “Sino-Soviet tensions rise,” Christian Science Monitor, 27 December 1989, p. 6. Also, AFP, 15 and 22 December 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 15 December 1989, p. 8, and 22 December 1989, p. 4.

5. Xinhua, , 28 December 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 29 12 1989, p. 12Google Scholar. Jiang then proceeded to reiterate the CCP's standard disclaimer about not interfering in the affairs of other countries.

6. During their September 1989 meeting Alexandr Yakovlev had conveyed to Zhu Liang a letter from Gorbachev inviting Jiang to visit the Soviet Union “at a time convenient for him.” TASS, , 11 September 1989, in Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Daily Report, Soviet Union, (hereafter FBIS–SOV), 12 09 1989, p. 16Google Scholar.

7. Kyodo, , Tokyo, , 9 December 1989, in FBIS-CHI, 12 12 1989, p. 5Google Scholar.

8. Jingji ribao (Economic Daily), Hong Kong, 11 12 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 13 December 1989, p. 7Google Scholar.

9. “Zhonggong yifen zhongyao jimi wenjian quanwen,” (“Complete text of several important secret CCP documents”) in Zhengming (Contention), No. 151(1 May 1990), pp. 8–10.

10. Ibid.

11. Chun-yu, Shih, “China, Soviet Union establish new relations of good-neighbourliness, co-operation,” Da gong bao, Hong Kong, 16 05 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 16 May 1991, pp. 13–14Google Scholar.

12. Quinn-Judge, Sophie, “Li's indulgence,” Far Eastern Economic Review (hereafter FEER), 10 05 1990, pp. 10–11Google Scholar.

13. “Policy by fiat,” FEER, 11 June 1992, pp. 16–18.

14. Xinhua, , 13 September 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 13 09 1989, p. 4Google Scholar.

15. Xinhua, , 23 September 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 25 09 1989, pp. 4–5Google Scholar.

16. Xinhua, , 27 March 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 27 03 1991, p. 2Google Scholar.

17. South China Morning Post (hereafter SCMP), 20 June 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 20 June 1991, p. 10. According to reports in the Hong Kong media, defence minister Dimitri Yazov's visit to China in May 1991 was against the explicit advice of Gorbachev. Upon his return to the Soviet Union Yazov reportedly publicized the China experience, saying it was worth thorough study. Yung-mei, Tsai, “Beijing's reactions to great changes in Soviet Union,” Kaifang (Openness), Hong Kong, 15 09 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 30 September 1991, p. 16Google Scholar.

18. Lukin, Alexander, “The initial Soviet reaction to the events in China in 1989 and the prospects for Sino-Soviet relations,” The China Quarterly, No. 125 (03 1991), p. 124Google Scholar.

19. Kaye, Lincoln, Cheung, Tai Ming and Baum, Julian, “Bitter medicine,” FEER, 5 09 1991, p. 10Google Scholar.

20. Bovin, Aleksandr, “China, the USSR, and Europe,” Moscow News, 8 April 1990, in FBIS–SOV, 12 04 1990, pp. 12–13Google Scholar.

21. Cited in Quinn-Judge, Sophie, “Pragmatic partners,” FEER, 26 04 1990, pp. 12–13Google Scholar.

22. Zhengming, 1 May 1990, p. 5.

23. Tsai Yung-mei, “Beijing's reactions.”

24. Xinhua, , 25 April 1990, in FBIS–CHI, 25 04 1990, pp. 15–16Google Scholar. radio, Beijing, 25 April 1990, in FBIS–CHI, 26 04 1990, pp. 17–18Google Scholar.

25. Xinhua, , 1 April 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 2 04 1991, pp. 9–10Google Scholar.

26. Xinhua, , 27 March 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 27 03 1991, p. 2Google Scholar.

27. Xinhua, , 4 April 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 5 04 1991, p. 7Google Scholar.

28. Xinhua, , 20 May 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 21 05 1991, p. 11Google Scholar.

29. Xinhua, , 17 May 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 21 05 1991, p. 10Google Scholar.

30. Yong-mei, Tsai, “Beijing's reactions,” p. 16Google Scholar.

31. Chun-yu, Shih, “China, Soviet Union agree to expand co-operation,” Da gong bao, 18 May 1991, in FBIS-CHI, 21 05 1991, pp. 14–15Google Scholar.

32. Lu-ching, Yeh, “CPC holds up Communism on its own, launches protracted war against capitalism,” Dangdai (Contemporary Era), Hong Kong, No. 6(15 September 1991), in FBIS–CHI, 26 09 1991, p. 23Google Scholar.

33. Xinhua, , 25 April 1990, in FBIS–CHI, 26 04 1990, p. 18Google Scholar.

34. Renmin ribao, 3 March 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 6 March 1991, pp. 1–2.

35. Regarding the Su-27 purchase see, Cheung, Tai Ming, “Comrades in arms,” FEER, 19 07 1990, p. 30Google Scholar. Quinn-Judge, Sophie and Cheung, Tai Ming, “Market forces,” FEER, 30 05 1991, pp. 18–19Google Scholar. Regarding the cancellation of the Grumman deal see Bernstein, James, “China halts deal with Grumman,” Newsday, 16 05 1990, p. 3Google Scholar.

36. Ping, Yu, “Will China and the USSR form another alliance?” Dangdai, No. 3(15 June 1991), in Joint Publication Research Service Report, China, 13 09 1991, pp. 1–2Google Scholar.

37. Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Trends, 6 03 1991, p. 18Google Scholar.

38. Ni, Tso, “Chinese pilots to be trained in the Soviet Union,” Zhengming, No. 163 (1 May 1991) in FBIS–CHI, 1 05 1991, pp. 11–12Google Scholar.

39. See FBIS–CHI, 11 July 1990, p. 4.

40. Liaowang, (Outlook), overseas edition, 23 July 1990, in FBIS–CHI, 25 July 1990, pp. 10–11.

41. Meissner, Boris, “The XXVII CPSU Party Congress: domestic and foreign policy,” Aussen Politik, Vol. 42, No. 1 (1991), pp. 37–47Google Scholar.

42. Ping, Yu, “Will China and the USSR form another alliance?” Also, Christian Science Monitor, 8 03 1991Google Scholar.

43. Gong, Lu, “Wide gap still exists between PRC, USSR,” Ming bao, 15 May 1991, in FBIS-CHI, 16 05 1991, pp. 14–15Google Scholar.

44. Xinhua, , 12 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI. 13 08 1991, p. 6Google Scholar.

45. Yeh Lu-ching, “CPC holds up Communism on its own.”

46. Ibid.

47. SCMP, 23 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 23 August 1991, p. 7.

48. Yeh Lu-ching, “CPC holds up Communism on its own.”

49. Renmin ribao, 20 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 20 August 1991, pp. 11–12.

50. radio, Beijing, 21 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 22 08 1991, pp. 1–2Google Scholar.

51. FBIS–CHI, 22 August 1991, p. 6.

52. AFP, , Hong Kong, 22 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 22 08 1991, p. 5Google Scholar.

53. WuDunn, Sheryl, “Rumor in China: that it knew of Soviet plot,” New York Times, 29 08 1991, p. A23Google Scholar.

54. Yu Ping, “Will China and the USSR form another alliance?”

55. Yeh Lu-ching, “CPC holds up Communism on its own.”

56. Po-shih, He, “CCP issues successive emergency circulars ordering entire Party to guard against changes,” Dangdai, 15 September 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 24 09 1991, p. 7Google Scholar.

57. Yeh Lu-ching, “CPC holds up Communism on its own.”

58. Tsai Yung-mei, “Beijing's reactions.”

59. Qingbao (Intelligence), Hong Kong, 5 September 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 9 09 1991, p. 10Google Scholar.

60. Yeh Lu-ching, “CPC holds up Communism on its own.” Tsai Yung-mei, “Beijing's reactions.”

61. Qingbao, 5 September 1991, in FBIS–CH1, 9 September 1991, p. 10.

62. He Po-shih, “CCP issues successive emergency circulars.”

63. Tsai Yung-mei, “Beijing's reactions.”

64. Po-ling, Cheng, “PLA reportedly on alert with Moscow events,” Hong Kong Standard, in FBIS–CHI, 23 08 1991, pp. 5–6Google Scholar.

65. radio, Beijing, 21 August 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 22 08 1991, p. 7Google Scholar.

66. He Po-shih, “CCP issues successive emergency circulars.” This report is corroborated by the talk by Gao Di cited in the following note.

67. Di, Talk by Gao, Documentation, The China Quarterly, No. 130 (06 1992), pp. 482–491Google Scholar.

68. Tsai Yung-mei, “Beijing's reactions.”

69. He Po-shih, “CCP issues successive emergency circulars.”

70. I develop this point further in “Foreign relations; China and the new world order,” in Joseph, William A. (ed.), China Briefing, 1992 (New York: The Asia Society, 1993)Google Scholar.

71. Deng Xiaoping ti Zhonggong suanming” (”Deng Xiaoping sees the future for the CCP”), Zhengming, No. 151 (1 May 1990), pp. 6–7.

72. He Po-shih, “CCP issues successive emergency circulars.”

73. From Beijing's perspective, the Gulf conflict was essentially a conflict between the global hegemony of the United States and the regional hegemony of Iraq. While not supporting the efforts of Iraq to take over Kuwait, China also opposed the efforts of the United States to bring the Gulf region under its domination, which was, Beijing believed, the true American objective.

74. “Sulian jubian zhihou Zhongguo de xianshi yingdui yu zhanlue xuanze” (“The realities to be faced in China in the wake of the dramatic changes in the USSR and strategic choices”), Zhongguo qingnian bao (China Youth Daily), Beijing, 9 09 1991Google Scholar.

75. Regarding Deng Liqun's resurgence see He Po-shih, , “Conservative faction is staging a comeback,” Dangdai, 9 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 13 02 1991, p.25Google Scholar.

25. Hua, Yi, “Deng Liqun is Backed Up By the Military, Dangdai, 9 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI,14 02 1991, pp. 17–18Google Scholar. “Deng Xiaoping's five-point view delivered at Seventh Plenary Session,” Kaifang, 15 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 13 February [sic] 1991, pp. 29–31.

76. See Feng, Ho, “The united front of Deng Liqun and Wang Zhen,” Zhengming, 3 June 1987, in FBIS–CHI, 5 06 1987, pp. K4–7Google Scholar. Kung, Liu, “Two winds stirred up in Beijing's political arena,” Ming bao, 12 07 1991Google Scholar, in FBIS–CHI, 22 07 1991, p. 34Google Scholar.

77. Deng Liqun had not won re-election to the Central Committee at the 13th Congress in November 1987, reportedly because he had falsified letters of self criticism by Hu Yaobang so as to discredit the latter with Chinese intellectuals. Deng's exclusion was welcomed by Binyan, Liu. See FBIS–CHI, 6 and 9 11 1987, p. 16Google Scholar.

78. Of the numerous reports to this effect see Lam, Willy Wo-lap, “Deng, Chen Yun agree to focus on economy,” SCMP, 7 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 7 02 1991, p. 12Google Scholar. Meng, Chuang, “Deng Liqun openly criticizes Hu and Zhao by name,” Qingbao, 10 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 20 02 1991, pp. 29–32Google Scholar.

79. Regarding Wu's son, see Ping, Lo, “Notes on the northern journey,” Zhengming, 1 November 1989, in FBIS–CHI, 3 11 1989, pp. 3–5Google Scholar.

80. Ibid.

81. “Two fierce rounds at the Seventh Plenary Session,” Zhengming, 1 February 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 4 February 1991, pp. 17–19; “Deng Xiaoping's-five-point view delivered.”

82. “Deng Xiaoping's five-point view delivered.” Hong Kong'sBai xing reported that Deng's message to the Seventh Plenum stated that “China will never be the leader of the Third World.” Bai xing, 1 02 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 1 February 1991, p. 16Google Scholar.

83. “Notes on a northern journey”, Zhengming, No. 181 (1 November 1992), in FB1S–CHI, 5 November 1992, pp. 32–35.

84. “Deng Xiaoping's new cat theory,” 3 July 1991, in FBIS-CHI, 9 July 1991, pp. 26–27.

85. Ibid.

86. Lam, Willy Wo-lap, “Reassessment urged,” SCMP, 18 July 1991, in FBIS–CHI, 22 07 1991, pp. 35–6Google Scholar. Also ibid.

87. See FBIS–CHI, 21 October 1992, Supplement.