Shades of Mao: The Posthumous Cult of the Great Leader (43 page)

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Authors: Geremie Barme

Tags: #History, #Asia, #China, #Literary Criticism, #Asian, #Chinese, #Political Science, #Political Ideologies, #Communism; Post-Communism & Socialism, #World, #General, #test

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Page 131
Central Department of Propaganda Circular Concerning the Disposal of Quotation Signboards and Slogans (6 September 1979)
From 1979 onwards, the Hong Kong Chinese press and the foreign media speculated about the fate of Mao whenever prominent political slogans were repainted or removed in Beijing. The large slogan signboards at the Chang'an-Dongdan, Chang'an-Wangfujing and Chang'an-Xidan intersections in the centre of the city, and the billboards on the eastern flank of the Ministry of Public Security near Tiananmen and the west side of the Great Hall of the People were under constant obvervation.
This Department of Propaganda circular marked the beginning of the end of Mao slogans in the streets of Chinese cities. The process took some years to complete.
Recently, we have received a number of letters from various regions and departments as well as the masses reporting that some slogan boards and slogan pylons, slogans on walls and buildings, certain bas reliefs and statues erected in the streets and squares in large and medium cities throughout the nation, and also in county townships, organizations, schools, mines, factories, villages and pastoral areas often contain incorrect sentiments and are obviously outmoded; others have been seriously eroded by the elements and are in a state of disrepair. All of the above have a negative political impact. Furthermore, many people have voiced their criticisms of this type of propaganda. These reports are quite timely and the method of dealing with this matter is as follows:
1. A thorough cleaning up of signboards, slogan pylons, slogans, bas reliefs and statues in public places throughout the country is to be made. An investigation is to be carried out prior to the upcoming National Day [1 October]. In the first instance, units open to foreigners, tourist spots and areas where there are a lot of people are to be cleaned up. Those [slogans, etc.] that are erroneous, outdated or in ill-repair are to be removed. Slogans on prominent signboards that are in keeping with the spirit of the Third Plenum of the Eleventh Party Congress can, where appropriate, be retained;
1
2. In realizing the Four Modernizations it is necessary that propaganda be effective. In the future, no matter whether it is in the cities or in villages, in units that are open to foreigners, tourist spots or residential areas it is important that propaganda is carried out in a clean and ordered atmosphere, one in which environmental work and beautification have taken place and less formalistic propaganda is carried out; and,
3. Implementing the above decision is an extremely serious business. It

 

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is imperative that various erroneous attitudes be negated and that people liberate their thinking. Goals should be pursued with an attitude that is informed by Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. It is important that careful ideological work is carried out among the masses before taking action so as to avoid unnecessary confusion and rumour-mongering.
2
Central Department of Propaganda Circular Concerning Eliminating Out-of-Date Slogans (2 June 1980)
Since the Department of Propaganda issued its "Circular Concerning the Disposal of Quotation Signboards and Slogans" (Department of Propaganda document no. 14 [1979]) and the suggestion that slogans be dealt with was published in issues 6 and 11 of
Propaganda Trends,
3
propaganda organs throughout the country have become mindful of this issue and have taken steps to deal with the problem. As a result, the situation has seen some improvement. However, some places have not made a concerted effort in this area and, although slogans have been painted over, with the passing of time the paint has worn off and the original slogans have reappeared. As the spirit of the Third and Fifth Plenums [of the Eleventh Party Congress] has possessed the hearts and minds of the people, passé and incorrect slogans have become increasingly repugnant to the masses. If they are not cleaned away they will seriously interfere with efforts to encourage stability and unity and further the construction of the Four Modernizations. The masses have recently been writing to the Department voicing their extreme displeasure with the situation.
The wiping out of all old slogans is a task that will brook no further delay. The Propaganda Departments in Party Committees throughout the country and in all organs and units should give this task top priority. It is necessary to take practical, effective and immediate measures to ensure this decision is implemented. A thorough investigation of the situation must be launched forthwith. All old and out-of-date slogans that do not conform with the spirit of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Plenums or with the propaganda guidelines formulated by this Department, regardless of whether they occur in urban centres, townships or villages, must be eliminated immediately and no trace of them is to be left. This task is to be completed before September this year. Inappropriate slogans dating from before the "Cultural Revolution," out-of-date slogans from the post"Gang of Four" purge,
4
as well as temporary posters put up on the occasion of greeting or farewelling [Party leaders, groups, etc.] are also to be eliminated. As for problematic slogans or historically inaccurate images of a more permanent nature that have been carved (or built) into walls and buildings, or included in sculptures and statues, these too must be replaced with all

 

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speed. In cases where this is not feasible for either practical or economic reasons, they can remain
in situ
for the time being but only with the permission of relevant Party Committees above county level. However, positive and effective steps to deal with the problem should be considered.
We hereby reiterate that: in the future all propaganda work must be centred around the Four Modernizations, be practicable and effective. The posting of massive slogans and other kinds of formalism are not to be encouraged.
CPC Central Office Circular Concerning the Problem of Statues of Comrade Mao Zedong (6 November 1980)
Recently, controversy concerning statues of Comrade Mao Zedong has erupted in a number of places. The Secretariat of Party Central has discussed this issue and we herewith communicate the Centre's guidelines on the subject:
In the directives relating to Party Central's policy on "cutting back on propagating individuals" of 30 July this year, it was noted that excessive numbers of portraits of Comrade Mao Zedong are on display and it was recommended that these could gradually be reduced (but not all taken down at once) to an appropriate level.
5
In those directives no concomitant remarks were made about pre-existing steel and concrete statues or other durable sculptures. The Centre acknowledges this oversight. Such statues can be found throughout the country and although fairly common they are by no means numerous. Whereas preserving them will have no harmful effect, to eliminate them would prove quite difficult; there is absolutely no need to destroy them all in concert. On the contrary, it would be a disservice to the people of China if a few statues of Comrade Mao Zedong and monuments of historical significance were not left standing. Presently, controversy concerning such statues has arisen in a number of places (like Fudan University in Shanghai and Mengjin in Henan).
6
It is the wish of the Centre that no statues be destroyed in places where such debates have occurred. It is also hoped that those in favour of destroying the statues can be persuaded to renege so that opposing factions will not develop among the masses. In the case of other influential commemorative structures, if there is a need to close, demolish or remodel them, it is imperative that full explanations are made and persuasive propaganda is used to convince the masses of the necessity to do so.
Central Department of Propaganda Circular Concerning the Hanging of Portraits of Leaders in Public Places (29 July 1981)
Recently this Department has received numerous letters and telephone enquiries asking whether portraits of leaders can be displayed at meetings or

 

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hung in public in the future. In accordance with the relevant stipulations of Central Party documents Nos. 59 and 79 (1980) and in the spirit of the relevant speeches made by responsible comrades in the Centre, we hereby issue the following circular:
1. Henceforth, no official portraits will be displayed during meetings;
2. Portraits of Chairman Mao can be hung in public places but with due regard for moderation and dignity, and so as not to offend international sensibilities. Note that excessive numbers of portraits should not be hung, yet it is inappropriate to ban the display of portraits altogether;
3. No portraits of living central Party leaders are to be hung either during meetings or in public; and,
4. It is entirely up to the individuals as to whether they hang portraits of living or dead leading comrades in their homes or in private. It is forbidden for Party, state or army organizations at any level to interfere with individual preference in any way.
Notes
1. The Party's Third Plenum in December 1978 initiated the economy-oriented policies of the Reform era.
2. Among other things, this refers to rumours that the removal of Maoist slogans was a sign that Mao and his political legacy were being abandoned.
3.
Xuanchuan dongtai,
a restricted circulation reference journal devoted to propaganda issues.
4. Literally, ''the movement to uncover, criticize and investigate [the crimes of the Gang of Four]" of 1976-77. In Chinese,
jiepicha yundong.
5. Item 4 of that document reads:
There are too many portraits of Chairman Mao, quotations from his writings and poems on display in public places. It is politically undignified and offensive to international sensibilities. Henceforth, they are to be reduced to an appropriate level . . . Chairman Mao badges are to be recycled as far as possible so as to avoid an excessive waste of metals.
See "Zhonggong zhongyang guanyu jianchi `shao xuanchuan geren' de jige wentide zhishi, Zhongfa [1980] 59 hao, 1980 nian 7 yue 30 ri," in Zhongyang xuanchuan bu bangongting, ed.,
Dangde xuanchuan gongzuo wenjian xuanbian (1976-1992),
vol. 2, p. 706.
6. The statue of Mao at the entrance of Fudan University was maintained and, throughout the 1980s, a calligraphic inscription by Lin Biao, Mao's one-time close comrade-in-arms and chosen successor, although painted over, could still be discerned on the plaque at the base of the statue. Mengjin is a county seat north of Luoyang, Henan Province. The Mao statue there was demolished without prior consultation resulting in a public furor.

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