TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 138

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With a view to abandoning the rank and file and protecting the officers.

Lin and Chaing made Wang Li, Kuan Feng and Chi Pen-yu (who only had 3 months of political life) their scapegoats. These Cultural Revolution favorites became "small reptiles" overnight. The ultra-leftist line of Lin Piao and the Gang of Four was dealt heavy blows, and the awful air of the Cultural Revolution group was completely swept away. Its several important members were proven to be "political thiefs," and people no longer trusted it. The failure of Lin and Chiang to seize power left them suspended in midair, and the administrative power and portion of military power remained in the hands of revolutionaries headed by Chou. This laid the foundation for smashing Lin piao and the Gang of Four.

In accordance with Mao's instruction, the movement to investigate the "16 May” elements was quickly unfolded throughout the country. The anti-Chou and anti-army political cannon fodder of Lin and Chiang began to suffer. The great majority of these people were beaters, smashers and looters. That was why the anti-Chou elements could not win the mercy from the masses. No sooner had the wind passed than the Gang of Four began emancipating them and launched counterattacks. They said that to investigate the "16 May" movement was to suppress rebels and negate the great Cultural Revolution! It was said that Chaing Ching later wanted to reverse verdicts on Wang, Kuan and Chi but Mao prohibited her. Mao said that reversal of verdicts would contradict the will of the people. Mao's criticism of the Gang of Four, however, became his criticism of Teng Hsiao-ping in the so-called "counter- attacking the rightist wind of reversal of verdicts." All sorts of strange things happened in the political circles under the reign of the Gang of Four.

Between summer and autumn in 1967 there was beating, smashing and setting fire to foreign organizations in China which had not happened since the founding of Communist China. These incidents seriously impaired the prestige of Communist China and her normal relations with other countries. At that time some foreigners regarded what was happening as a "New I Ho Tuan Movement." Some foreign embassies were prepared to move from Peking. Chou En-lai did a great deal of explanation, persuasion and apologetic work and then stabilized the situation. After the "16 May" clique was dragged out. Chou instructed that the Office of the British Charge d'Affaires be quickly repaired.

The Hong Kong "Anti-British and Anti-Atrocity struggle" 11 years ago is now a historical event. Today after 11 years, Mao, Chou and Chen have passed away. The behind-the- scenes bosses, Lin Piao, Chen Po-ta, Chiang Ching. Kang Sheng and company received the punishment they deserved. A new page in Sino-British relations has opened up. This struggle is undoubtedly still fresh in the memory of many patriotic compatriots in Hong Kong. When they understand the background of this incident, they will understand more profoundly the nature and problem of this struggle and hate more deeply the pests of Lin Piao, the Gang of Four and Company!