:
M Elliott Esq
FED
FCO
Lexar mark
CONFIDENTIAL
BRITISH EMBASSY,
PEKING.
11 July 1983
CHINA'S SIXTH NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
1.
I attach a memorandum on the 6th National People's Congress prepared by William Ehrman. I think it provides a valuable survey of the main features of the session and, by extension, of the present internal situation in China. I endorse its judgments. The main problems, as I see it, are those of leftism in the army and economic development, particularly the needs for central control at the same time as greater initiative, and the relation of heavy and light industry. The responsibility system has done well in agriculture; in industry things are much more complicated. Underlying all is the population problem and the need for draconian and therefore unpopular policies if it is to be kept under control.
2. Deng, as usual, has got most of what he wants. If he follows his usual course, he will pause, consolidate and then advance. The next stage is likely to be further reform in the army and re-registration in the Party. They will not be easy tasks.
CONFIDENTIAL
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PERCY CRADOCK
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