FE/1597 B2/5
perfection of China's democratic theories can only become a reality in an increasingly strong democratic atmosphere.
[TOLERANCE OF DISSIDENCE]
First, it is necessary to allow free expression of different kinds of opinions, to advocate a spirit of leniency and of tolerance of dissidents. We should uphold our own standpoint as well as respect others to uphold theirs; and we should have the courage to admit our poor opinions and be adept in assimilating others' good points. Even if we maintain that we have a very correct view, we still cannot use autocratic or even violent means to coerce others to accept it or to show approval against their will, whereas it is certainly out of the question to use the pressure of political movement to coerce others to accept it and to worship us and to form an autocratic situation.
Second, any correct theory must stand a practical test and must be transformed into reality through practice. It is necessary to uphold the truth and to rectify mistakes in practice and efforts must be continuously made to perfect and to revise the theory and to reach a consensus among as many people as possible. Whether in theoretical research or in practice, it is necessary to allow others to make and to rectify mistakes and to abandon those autocratic means of capitalizing on others' shortcomings, putting labels on others and bludgeoning others - these means have been prevailing for a long time.
[“NO MORE IDEOLOGICAL AUTOCRACY”]
Over the past several decades, we suppressed, criticized and attacked a number of good viewpoints, propositions and theories as if they were erroneous and reactionary, causing inestimably enormous losses to our country and nation. We must bear this lesson firmly in mind and encourage mutual criticism and self-criticism, rectification of mistakes and submission to the truth and an attitude of modestly listening to others' opinions and respecting different views, particularly respecting those views which are directly opposite to ours. We must bear Comrade Mao Zedong's remarks firmly in mind: "The only way to settle questions of an ideological nature or controversial issues among the people is by the democratic method, the method of discussion, criticism, persuasion and education and not by the method of coercion or repression”. ("On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People") Hence, we must swear with deep grief: No more idcological autocracy.
We must discard the impetuous mentality of seeking quick success and instant benefit and strive to study, to the best we can, the issue of China's democracy in a rational manner. If a conclusion considered sensible, comprehensive and practical is arrived at, we should propagate and practise it, no matter what kind of understanding of democracy in China it has and no matter whether it affirms or rejects democracy in China - this is precisely my attitude towards China's democracy...
[COOPERATION BETWEEN INTELLECTUALS AND ENTREPRENEURS]
Finally, I must also explain, in particular, why I am so excited when discussing democracy with entrepreneurs, because I hope entrepreneurs will pay close attention to the issue of
27 Jan 93
democracy in China. For various reasons, most of the past discussions and studies of the issue of democracy were confined to the intelligentsia, which is outside the realm of enterprises. This was an abnormal phenomenon. I believe that the enterprise circles should also attach great importance to democracy in China and that the intelligentsia should conduct joint discussions and studies with entrepreneurs, because there is an increasingly urgent need for modernized enterprises and economy to adapt to and coordinate with democratic politics.
Political democracy promotes and safeguards economic prosperity, whereas the ideal of a good government, enlightened policies and honest and upright officials is awaited for years by the enterprise circles. And this depends on whether or not entrepreneurs have the right to participate in government and political affairs and to discuss government policies; to participate in the decision-making and legislative process; to criticize and to supervise the administration and the legislature; to promote competent officials and to dismiss those who are incompetent; and whether or not more rising entrepreneurs have the right to elect candidates or be elected to important government posts at various levels. All these require the establishment and perfection of democracy.
This is precisely the reason why more and more people support the thinking, which is embodied in Comrade Xiaoping's remarks: “Without democracy, there will be no socialism or socialist modernization". Without democratic politics, enterprises will be in an extremely powerless position, entrepreneurs will be completely fettered; the master status of vast numbers of staff and workers and of the broad masses will have no practical guarantee; the leadership and rank and file of enterprises will not be able to fully bring their initiative, vigour and creativity into play; and enterprises as a whole will not be able to give full play to their abilities and to carry out their great plans in a vigorous manner. Entrepreneurs who have emancipated their minds should have a profound understanding of this point.
[IN CONCLUSION]
Therefore, I hope that entrepreneurs will not only concern themselves with democracy and study and discuss democracy with each other, but will also become a main force of founding the theories of China's democracy and of promoting democratic construction. With the development of reform and opening up and with the development of the modernization undertaking, the might of this main force will not only be exhibited in the construction of economic prosperity, but also in the construction of policy democratization and both aspects will become increasingly important. We believe that only when all the people make great efforts, particularly when this main force throw themselves into the combat, can we truly “create a higher level of political democracy with more substance than that of the capitalist countries".
Your comments or criticisms on the appropriateness of the above opinions are welcome!
SWB
27 Jan 93
AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE MINISTRY SETS “TEN
IMPERMISSIBLES”
FE/1597 B2/6
[2]
Xinhua news agency domestic service in Chinese 1007 gmt 17 Jan 93
Text of report
According to the latest information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, since the party Central Committee and the State Council set forth 10 measures to maintain agricultural development, 17 provinces have laid down measures to reduce peasants' burdens; Jiangsu, Hebei and 10 other provinces have explicitly banned the activities in fulfilling increasingly raised quotas; Hubei, Shandong and four other provinces have refrained from starting any new projects that will increase peasants' burdens; Hunan, Jiangsu and 10 other provinces have decided to check up the burdens on peasants; and Hunan, Henan and some other provinces have been paying close attention to solving serious cases involving burdens on peasants.
As authorized by the State Council, the Ministry of Agriculture has laid down “10 impermissibles":
It is impermissible to divert village and township collective funds to use for other purposes than for those of village and township economic collective organizations;
It is impermissible to force peasants to contribute both money and labour and to indiscriminately transfer their labour funds;
It is impermissible to link collecting fees and fines and raising funds from peasants with the interests of cadres at various levels;
It is impermissible to apportion newspapers, magazines, insurance policies, securities and film fees among peasants;
It is impermissible to collect increasingly raised amounts of fees from peasants;
It is impermissible to collect fees from peasants under the pretext of service;
It is impermissible to coercively deduct a part of advance payments for purchasing farm and sideline products and to collect collective funds in advance for any reasons;
It is impermissible to include illegal burdens in contracts signed by peasants;
It is impermissible to `use judicial means to collect money and materials from peasants;
It is impermissible to retaliate against units and personnel that have informed or filed charges against or resisted those who have indiscriminately collected fees or raised funds from peasants or fined them.
Following a national teleconference on agriculture sponsored by the State Council, the Ministry of Agriculture immediately organized work teams and sent them to nine provinces and 17 counties to conduct special investigations in order to understand the reduction of burdens on peasants.
It has been learned that individual central departments are now moving slowly in reducing burdens on peasants and that implemented in some localities are documents concerning peasants' burdens that are not in line with state regulations. A responsible comrade of the department in charge of this work reiterated: The requirements set by the central authorities for various relevant departments, provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities to comprehensively check up peasants' burdens in the near future must be resolutely implemented, and all documents that do not conform with state regulations must be rescinded. In accordance with party and government discipline and state laws, we must deal severely with those who disregard orders and prohibitions and violate the law and discipline. On the question of reducing peasants' burdens, party and government leaders at various levels must make a prompt decision and must not put off the decision because of endless haggling and shifting responsibility to one another.
[3]
Anhui, Sichuan cash all IOUS for peasants Since the Anhui provincial government's arrangement of a short- term loan of 260m yuan from the People's Bank of China and its allocation of the money to various localities, all IOUS in the hands of peasants in the province have been cashed, according to Zhongguo Xinwen She news agency (Beijing in Chinese 1331 gmt 12 Jan 93).
As of 15th January, all IOUS and promissory notes in the hands of Sichuan's peasants have been honoured, Sichuan People's Broadcasting Station reported (in Standard Chinese 2300 gmt 15 Jan 93). "Steps have also been taken regarding payment of IOUS by post, while efforts are currently being undertaken to clear up outstanding debts”, the radio added.
THE LOCALITIES
TIBET TO BREAK AWAY FROM “CLOSED- DOORISM” IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DRIVE
'Renmin Ribao’' in Chinese 4 Jan 93 p 1
Excerpts from report
[4]
The pace of reform and opening up has been remarkably speeded up in Tibet, and gratifying news has kept pouring in from the economic sector. The year 1992 saw a 7% economic growth, an all-time high; the region's financial revenue exceeded 100m yuan, an increase of more than 300% over last year; a bumper grain harvest has been reaped in consecutive years, and the year's grain output set the record of 600,000 metric tons; while township and town enterprises and tertiary industry have been growing at an average rate of 15%.
During an enlarged meeting of the regional party committee held the other day, the regional party committee Secretary Chen Kuiyuan announced that Tibet will seize the opportunity to speed up economic development...
In this connection, Tibet will make efforts in four aspects to elevate its economy to a higher level.
A The National Archives
DEPARTMENT/SERIES
PIECE/ITEM
(one piece/item number)
Extract details:
FCO 40.
400111
Folios 12 and attaduments, 13 and 14
Date and sign
14/12/2018
|CLOSED UNDER FOI EXEMPTION 27(1)
Malme
RETAINED UNDER SECTION 3(4)
OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
TEMPORARILY RETAINED
MISSING AT TRANSFER
NUMBER NOT USED
MISSING (TNA USE ONLY)
DOCUMENT PUT IN PLACE (TNA USE ONLY)