H 4908
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE
The Peking Hotel, where we were quar- tered, is spacious, a pecullar blend of old China and the new. Side by side are situated old world lobbies of ancient days and an austere new wing typying the utilitarian design of the Cultural Revolution. Our rooms, in the new wing, were furnished comfortably but with the barest of neces- sities, further indicating the pevalling spar- tan atmosphere.
In China's clessless society, no one has the job of "bell hop,” we quickly discovered that officials of the Foreign Ministry, both men and women, had been assigned to carry our bags. Needless to say, when we saw what was happening we carried our own.
The Peking Hotel is one of but a few hotels available to foreigners, for there are. definite restrictions on where foreigners may venture. This does not mean that we were prevented from moving about at any time; in fact, I made it a habit to rise at 5:30 every morning so I could walk the streets and see this city come to life-whatever life there is in this city of oneñess. I never felt I was fol- lowed or monitored and was perfectly free to use my camera
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However, an off-limits polley of sorts is in. effect for foreigners as far as restaurants, shops and theatres are concerned. For in- stance, in one restaurant we entered in search of a "real" Chinese breakfast, the crowd saw : us, quietly rose and just left. It is not wrliten. -in the Red Book "that China's people may mingle with foreigners. We were served our breakfast but had no other company in the room. This same reaction applies to all for- eign visitors, not just Americans, for I was told by other foreign embassy people that they had had the same experience.
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jackets, suits and hats of blue, gray or khaki color. This clothing emphasizes the complete obliteration of the individual, so much so that it is difficult to tell men from women. The only shadow of bright color is seen on some of the very young, who might wear a red or green blouse and on a few of the women, who add a ribbon or kerchief to their utilitarian costume. Haircuts for the women are of two styles, short and close cut or long. worn in bralda.
The people are monolithic in numerous ways. For example, last names frequently are the same, as personal identity is Insignificant and only duty to the state is of consequence. The masses are China's great asset, a co- hestre bloc, vold of independent thought.
The streets of Peking further portray the system of oneness and austerity. The trees lining the avenues are studiously pruned to resemble each other: same height, same breadth, almost as though someone had
counted the branches and trimmed them to conforma
Absolute, "unvarying rigidity is the norm" and the expected Even the horns on the thousands of bicycles used by the Chinese on their way to and from work have a uni- form din, like a symphony of identical tones. The Chinese don't own automobiles: these vehicles are owned by the state and reserved s for official use. All the people march to the same drum, but it is a diametrically differ- ent drum from ourse
In the city of Darien, near the Manchurian border, we inspected a glass factory. Here, as elsewhere, the work is hard, the conditions primitive and the pay miniscule by outside standards. A worker in this factory labors 10 hours a day, six days a week and receives about 50-80 yuan (830-849) a month for his labors, depending on degree of skill. I watched one man shape and form a piece of hand blown glass which took him about 15 minutes. For this, he was paid about 2 cents, at his monthly rate. I purchased a glass piece at a Friendship Store in Shangha! for $7.50, the established price. Where does in the hands of the artisan or the factor, this enormous profit go? It does not end up but goes into the coffers of the state to finance services for the masses. A worker in this socialist system never questions, he just
May 25, 1976
the people. The Peking University, which we visited, is one of the largest in the country and enrolls about 5,000 students who earn their degree in three years. Since the Cultu- ral Revolution, one of the "reforms” is to cut the conventional four-year program back to three. A university student works from 7 in the morning to 7 at night, the day divided with classes, exercise, and physical fitness periods, lectures and indocrination sessions, food, rest, and more schooling. Upon gradua- tion, the student is placed in a position priate way he can serve the state and the deemed by his leaders to be the most appro- Communist Party.?
CHINA PREPARING FOR WAR-WANTS U.S. HELP
IN MEETING RUSSIAN "THEEATA (China is preparing for war with Russia, and she wants the United States to perceive the inevitable" so the mutual enemy can be defeated. This, feels Representative Lester Wolf (D.-Kensington); was the principal message the Chinese wanted to convey to him and his House colleagues on their re- cent fact-finding tour behind the Bamboo Curtain. In the final installment of this exclusive series, the Congressman detalls China's
preparations for the coming conflict.)-
(By Representative LESTER WOLFT) Official "meetings between our, Delegation and high officials of the FBC took place in the Great Hall in Peking and in the Foreign Ministry at Darien, a city on the northern shores of the Yellow Sea. Interspersed with nightly banquets and receptions, our con- frontations were at all times cordial, Triendly and open. We had hoped to meet personally with Premier Hus, as we had been led to believe we would before our departure from Washington, but were informed it was not possible since Hus was negotiating the new arms trade agreement with Egypt
I believe, however, that this encounter was avoided in order to prevent us from gaining the impression that Hus would eventually only his Red Book,FES succeed Mao. As I have said, I do not be- leve any one one person will succeed MBO
A Chinese breakfast, by the way, is a far cry from the cereal and eggs of an Amert- can's morning repast: It consists of noodles in broth, fish and a doughy steamed bread- "street food," the people's standard fara.y = On another occasion in Peking," we_went - to a small park near the Tien Em Men Square and "dined" on more food of the people, this time Hisual Chiao, steamed dumplings stuffed with minced cabbage, scallions and meat, flavored with a fragrance of spices. They sold 20 for two yuan ($1). It went well with Pe-
In the words of the Chinese, our meetings king beer, which is quite good. • belleres.
were to increase understanding between our Restaurants and shops are specifically A Chinese worker pays about two percent, is convinced war with the Soviet Union is marked if foreign visitors are welcome. In3 3, others, outsiders are not encouraged to enter.
of his wages for rent or shelter and about "inevitable" since, they say, "Russia's im- for we do not fit into the mold. Theatres are –
50 cents a year for medical and health care.perialism constitutes a major danger." off limits to foreigners except by special in-
He is able to retire at the age of 58 at about
That China is preparing for war is without vitation: ROADBEA
80 percent of his wages, but still is required question. Her entire thrust is geared toward
زبورگ
nations and to hear at first hand that China
this end.
Tien Em Men Square, site of recent dem to produce or do something for the state 88. The Chinese will rely on masses of people · onstrations, is overwhelming in size, typical
of China's vastness. The Gate to the Forbid-
long as he is able to do so. In this society, & worker is assured of food, clothing and shelter, of the most meager sort, but he is content with this existence as he not only his ancestors under the war lords, but be remembers the rampant poverty suffered by
leves his way of life is the best way to serve the stateSATA DE MER
yu
den City is located in the Square, a bridge from the days of the Dynasties are on ex to the past where priceless art treasure hibit. The Great Hall of the People is in the Square, a massive edifice where we for- mally met with Chinese officials. I asked one how long it had taken to build the Great I saw few infirm on the streets, unlike In- Hall and was told "10 months." but appar- dia and other Asian countries where poverty ently that number is a sort of magic gesta-stricken and disease ridden are common tion period for the Chinese; when asked they sights. The aging are cared for by the gov- say everything takes 10 months to build. ernment. There are state run senior citizen
We shopped after hours, for our days were centers to tend those unable to produce so full, in what are called Friendship Stores, department type shops open to foreigners. We found nothing very characteristic of China but noted the wares were of inferior quality, similar to the products exported by Japan in the early years following World War II. Prices are firm, the sains in all of the Friendship Stores, no bargaining. Gems and precious stones are very expensive and antiques and objects from the precultural revolutionary days are not for sale at all- they belong to the PRC,
In need of care, or who have become ́s hin- drance to their family's productivity.
The young, tomorrow's new generation of the masses are schooled early and hard in the ways of Mao and the rules of his Bed Book When asked if they consider this a form of brainwashing one Chinese official replied that since people wash their bands and bodles, why not their brains as well to insure "cleanliness and purity."
Upon completion of secondary school, a youth, with his potential judged by his party To exemplify the system of oneness, Chi-block leader, may enter a university for fur-- nese clothing is unisex. Both men and ther education, but fist must derote two women wear identical styles of pants, year on a farm or in a factory to work with
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as their principle weapon in their national defense guerilla - militia, or people, with rifies. This inevitable"xar, they say, is
They further contend that appeasement will postponable, but not avertable" because the differences between nations are too deep.
only accelerate the moment of war.
"Our experience with the Soviet Union is Union wants to bite, but China's meat is too that China is a plece of meat" the "Borlet tough and the dogs of war will hurt their teeth" said one high official
China has welded her millions into a de- cisive unit to protect her land and her peo- ple. Industrial emphasis is on the develop ment of heavy equipment," tanks, trucks, mechanized vehicles and equipment for de- fense and on what the Chinese term "reverse engineering," In other words, the Chinese seek prototypes of modern western wespons and equipment and technological advances, not supplies.
They would disassemble these prototypes and then copy them, for they do not possess the know-how to develop from scratch" a drafting board in reverse.
China's network, of, tunnels are actual mazese of underground facilities to shelter their people in the event of war and to pro-”.
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