Former Chinese Politburo member Li Ruihuan
With the 17th Chinese Communist Party Congress coming up, perhaps it might be good to take stock of what transpired during the last Congress in 2002.
Or at least what happened to former Politburo Standing Committee member Li Ruihuan (李瑞环, seen left in the picture with former Chinese foreign minister Qian Qichen, 钱其琛, on the right).
Li was put in charge of propaganda work when he was first appointed to the all-powerful Politburo. But he also managed to stir up much controversy every time he spoke.
For example, he once said that the student protesters and masses who took part in the 1989 demonstration should not be faulted entirely. The Party instead, should bear the brunt of the responsibility. He also noted that former party general-secretary Zhao Ziyang (赵紫阳) - who was ousted after the demonstrations - should not have to bear full responsibility for the incident.
Such talk brought Li into direct conflict with other Chinese leaders. So much so that an internal directive was issued barring state media from quoting any of Li's remarks that were not in line with the official position. Li was later stripped of his propaganda position, and made to head the powerless Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
In early 2001, Li repeatedly called on the old guards to step down to make way for younger leaders. He also publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Jiang Zemin (江泽民) for cultivating a personality cult and for Jiang's intolerance of dissent.
At the end of 2001, the party's discipline inspection committee received (surprise surprise) piles of letters accusing Li and his family members of corruption. Li was also accused of leading a lavish lifestyle, including getting the Tianjin Sheraton Hotel to reserve a suite for him during his tenure in the city. He was also alleged to have close links with a top actress and a Hong Kong socialite said to have made her fortune after acquiring several plots of land in Beijing through Li's help.
Faced with such evidence, Li had no choice but to agree to step down from the Politburo.
Following Li's admission of guilt, Jiang submitted a proposal to cap the age limit for Politburo members at 68 - Li's age that year. But the catch was, an exception was made for Jiang himself, even though he was over 68.
Some apparently, are still more unequal than others.
Or at least what happened to former Politburo Standing Committee member Li Ruihuan (李瑞环, seen left in the picture with former Chinese foreign minister Qian Qichen, 钱其琛, on the right).
Li was put in charge of propaganda work when he was first appointed to the all-powerful Politburo. But he also managed to stir up much controversy every time he spoke.
For example, he once said that the student protesters and masses who took part in the 1989 demonstration should not be faulted entirely. The Party instead, should bear the brunt of the responsibility. He also noted that former party general-secretary Zhao Ziyang (赵紫阳) - who was ousted after the demonstrations - should not have to bear full responsibility for the incident.
Such talk brought Li into direct conflict with other Chinese leaders. So much so that an internal directive was issued barring state media from quoting any of Li's remarks that were not in line with the official position. Li was later stripped of his propaganda position, and made to head the powerless Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
In early 2001, Li repeatedly called on the old guards to step down to make way for younger leaders. He also publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Jiang Zemin (江泽民) for cultivating a personality cult and for Jiang's intolerance of dissent.
At the end of 2001, the party's discipline inspection committee received (surprise surprise) piles of letters accusing Li and his family members of corruption. Li was also accused of leading a lavish lifestyle, including getting the Tianjin Sheraton Hotel to reserve a suite for him during his tenure in the city. He was also alleged to have close links with a top actress and a Hong Kong socialite said to have made her fortune after acquiring several plots of land in Beijing through Li's help.
Faced with such evidence, Li had no choice but to agree to step down from the Politburo.
Following Li's admission of guilt, Jiang submitted a proposal to cap the age limit for Politburo members at 68 - Li's age that year. But the catch was, an exception was made for Jiang himself, even though he was over 68.
Some apparently, are still more unequal than others.
posted by Maria Siow @ 11:23 AM
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home