GRS 900
CONFIDENTIAL
FM PEKING
TO FCO
TELNO 484
OF 210341Z MARCH 87
CONFIDENTIAL
AND TO ROUTINE HONGKONG, WASHINGTON, MOSCOW, NATO, TOKYO.
CHINESE LEADERSHIP
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Hub 02011
25 MAR 1937
DC
SUMMARY
1. CHINA'S PREEMINENT LEADER, DENG XIAOPING, HAS MADE HIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO THE NEED FOR REFORM OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM SINCE THE FALL OF HU YAOBANG. THIS IS A BOOST FOR THE REFORMERS, SINCE THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS
IN THE REFORM PROGRAMME. IT ALSO ADDS FURTHER POWERFUL BACKING TO THE NEW AUTHORITY ZHAO ZIYANG IS DISPLAYING.
DETAIL
2. DENG XIAOPING TOLD THE CANADIAN GOVERNOR-GENERAL ON 19 MARCH THAT THE TENTATIVE PLAN FOR REFORM OF THE CHINESE POLITICAL SYSTEM WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AT THE 13TH CONGRESS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY THIS AUTUMN. HE SAID THAT THE PLAN WAS AIMED AT CREATING A STABLE AND SUSTAINED SITUATION FOR REALISING THE FOUR SOCIALIST MODERNISATIONS. THE OPENING UP OF CHINA'S ECONOMY WOULD BE BOUND TO GIVE RISE TO QUESTIONS OF REFORM OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
3. DENG ADDED THAT CHINA MUST CONTINUE WITH ITS OPEN POLICY FOR AS LONG AS IT PRACTISES SOCIALISM. THIS POLICY INCLUDED OPENING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND INCREASING DOMESTIC COOPERATION. CHINA HAD LAGGED BEHIND AND SUFFERED A LOT BECAUSE IT HAD CLOSED ITS DOOR TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD FOR ONE AND A HALF CENTURIESV. ONLY BY ADOPTING AN OPEN POLICY AND TAKING IN ADVANCE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, EXPERIENCE AND INVESTMENT FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD COULD CHINA ACCELERATE ITS NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION. ONLY BY STEPPING UP THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY BY GRANTING MORE DECISION-MAKINGPOWERS TO GRASS ROOTS UNITS, COULD CHINA GIVE FULL PLAY TO THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE PEOPLE AND UNITS NATIONWIDE.
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4. ON 20 MARCH, AN EXPANDED EDITION OF DENG XIAOPING'S COLLECTED SPEECHES BUILD SOCIALISM WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS WAS PUBLISHED. IT CONTAINS 44 PIECES DATING FROM THE 12TH CONGRESS (SEPTEMBER 1982) TO JANUARY THIS YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE XINHUA
CONFIDENTIAL
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