DATE=10/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / 50TH (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254543
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has observed its 50th anniversary under
communist rule with a massive display of national
pride, showcasing its growing military might and its
rapid economic progress since it moved toward a market
economy 20 years ago. VOA correspondent Roger
Wilkison reports the big celebration -which cost
millions of dollars-reflects the communist party's
hopes of capitalizing on the accomplishments of recent
years to stay in power.
TEXT: President Jiang Zemin led the National Day
celebration. Dressed in a grey Mao suit and riding in
a 1960's vintage Red Flag limousine just like his
mentor Deng Xiaoping at Beijing's last military parade
15 years ago, he reviewed the troops. Later, Mr.
Jiang read a brief speech from atop the Gate of
Heavenly Peace, where 50 years ago Mao proclaimed the
People's Republic and said China had finally stood up.
Mr. Jiang recalled that momentous day, but stressed
the changes brought about by Deng's reforms.
/////JIANG (WITH INTERPRETER) ACTUALITY/////
Arduous struggle and strenuous effort of 50 years,
particularly the past 20 years since reform and the
opening-up, have brought about earth-shaking changes
to the erstwhile poor and weak old China.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
He reminded his audience that it was under the
leadership of the communist party that such changes
had occurred, and he said only under communism can
China be saved.
While he emphasized China's advances of the past 20
years, the first three decades of communist rule in
China were glossed over. There was no reference in
President Jiang Zemin's speech or on the 91 floats
recalling 50 years of communism to some of the more
extraordinary disasters of the early years under Mao
Zedong. No mention of the Great Leap Forward -Mao's
backyard industrialization program that resulted in a
famine which is believed to have killed 30 million
people. No mention either of the Cultural Revolution
-the decade of organized chaos whose scars still
remain. Neither was there any mention of the
crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators 10 years ago
in the same Tianamen Square that was the center of
Friday's festivities.
The party leadership is hoping that the national pride
generated by the anniversary will redound to its
benefit as it seeks to deal with an economic slowdown,
rising unemployment and pervasive official
corruption. But, just in case, security was so
tight that ordinary citizens were kept away from
Tiananmen Square and the parade route and had to view
the day's events on television. Office buildings
lining the parade route were evacuated and their doors
and windows sealed. Occupants of hotel rooms with a
view of the festivities were also removed. All of
these last-minute measures were preceded by a roundup
of such undesirables as vagrants, prostitutes, migrant
workers, dissidents and members of suspect religious
sects.
The military parade was also meant as a message to
Taiwan. Following Hong Kong's return to Chinese
sovereignty two years ago and Macau's re-incorporation
later this year, only Taiwan remains to be reunified
with the mainland. On display for the first time
Friday were an intercontinental missile, the brand-new
T-90 tank, the Flying Leopard fighter-bomber and
aerial refueling tankers. China says it wants to
reunite peacefully with Taiwan but will not renounce
force if Taiwan declares formal independence.
(signed)
NEB/FC/RW
01-Oct-1999 03:43 AM LOC (01-Oct-1999 0743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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