Sat, Jan 27, 2001 page8

• A behind-the-scenes look at Beijing

  • By Paul Lin 林保華
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  A self-proclaimed reformist PRC official, using the pseudonym Zhang Liang (張良), smuggled to the US a number of documents relating to the June 4, 1989 Incident. The documents were delivered to three famous Chinese studies scholars, Andrew Nathan of Columbia University, Perry Link of Princeton University and Orville Schell of the University of California, Berkeley for examination, translation, editing and publishing as a book. The mainstream US media then began extensive news coverage and discussion about these documents. The Chinese government, having exercised the utmost self-restraint for a few days, issued a declaration reiterating its uncompromising attitude toward the June 4 Incident and condemning the book for "fabricating" and distorting the truth.

  The book, The Tiananmen Papers, sketches out the process of decision-making leading up to the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, including the minutes of important meetings. Much of the discussion it details was carried out by the top PRC leadership, in particular the eight "elders" who were essentially the underground PRC leadership. This revelation of the "black box" has therefore caused a great stir.

  Of course, it is too bad that part of the book was translated from English into Chinese by the Taiwanese media, as the Chinese used in Taiwan is sometimes very different from that used in China, especially when it comes to special terms. As a result, some have concluded after reading such translated excerpts, that the documents were fabricated. In the past, some members of the overseas Chinese democratic movement have used phony documents to make trouble for China. Letters supposedly written by Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽), for example, turned out to be phony. When authentic documents appear, therefore, people feel suspicious about their authenticity. The Tiananmen Papers is suffering the same fate.

  The first time I read excerpts from the book in the media, I thought the documents were genuine. My only question was whether they were complete. As the Chinese translation is three times the length of the English version, those intending to get the complete picture must wait until the release of the Chinese edition this April.

  A few days ago, Perry Link and Zhao's former secretary, Bao Tong (鮑彤) were interviewed on a radio program. Link is pretty certain of the document's authenticity. He had many opportunities to be in contact with Zhang Liang, because of problems in the process of translating the documents. He thinks that Zhang's answers sounded pretty genuine. Bao also thought that excerpts concerning him and cited by another radio program sounded real.

  At the time of the book's release, I was in contact with two friends, one from Hong Kong and one from the US, who both knew Zhang. Both also had had the chance to see some of the documents. They do not doubt Zhang, although there are some who suspect that he is a phony. The Apple Daily of Hong Kong, however, reports that PRC intelligence already knows Zhang's identity. I believe this news is true. As so many people already know who Zhang is, how can he continue to keep his identity in the dark? In view of the fact that he has gone so far as to openly writing under the pen name "Zhang Liang" for a Hong Kong newspaper, he does not seem to care about keeping his identity a secret. Perhaps he has some very strong connections. What would make him so courageous otherwise?

  As Zhang does not hide his intention to promote reform in the PRC through his book, his background and the timing of the book's release have caused much speculation.

  Some have said that the release of the book was to remind the newly-elected George W. Bush to focus on the US-China relationship, and not to forget about the June 4 massacre. The strength of feeling caused by this book would naturally have this effect, especially since the incident took place while Bush senior was still in office. Bill Clinton did not do a good job with the US-China relationship, backing down from Beijing continuously. Now it is up to Bush. But the problem is that these documents have been in the US for some time now. It took time to screen, edit and translate them. At the time, no one knew for sure whether Bush or Al Gore would win the US presidential election. The timing of the book's release, therefore, is a mere coincidence.

  It is hard to argue, however, that the timing of the book's release has nothing to do with the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Of course, we cannot completely attribute the reasons for the book's release to the internal Chinese power struggles. There are issues of ethics and morals as well.

  As for whose interests it is the book's main purpose to serve, this should be pretty obvious. It is beyond question that the contents of the documents are advantageous to Li Ruihuan (李瑞環), a member of the Politburo Standing Committee) and disadvantageous to Li Peng (李鵬), a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and chairman of the CPC Political Consultative Conference. Views diverge with respect to the role of PRC President Jiang Zemin (江澤民). The documents do not reveal whether Jiang participated in the decision for the crackdown. If Li is the target of attack, therefore, then the book would serve Jiang's interest.

  The documents' revelation of Jiang's status as a "child king" is also pretty humiliating for Jiang. As the Li family had virtually become a deadend alley because of corruption even before the book came out, it seems unnecessary for Jiang to resort to this means of injuring Li. The possibility of the documents coming from Jiang, therefore, is minimal. Jiang has also immediately slammed the book for "distorting" history, indicating a high degree of nervousness on his part. Also, some Web sites in China on which I used to be able to publish my writings have been shut down, indicating the Beijing's concerns about the book. The English edition of the book seems to be selectively favorable toward Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平), dwelling little on the US-China relationship and the details of the massacres. These facts seem to suggest pre-screening of the leaked materials. Why?

  The attacks by the overseas pro-Beijing groups basically echo the words of PRC officials. There is nothing much to them.

  Paul Lin is a political commentator based in New York.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Suppliers to follow TSMC’s US plans but may be years away, Minister says

  • 2

    Fraud fugitive returns to Taiwan after six years on the run

  • 3

    Most Chinese oppose force to unify Taiwan: survey

  • 4

    Memes, social media disinformation fuel support for Burkina junta leader

  • 5

    LA Dodgers beat Braves to secure 7th straight win