Fallout from the Zhao Ziyang’s Death (and other news from January 18)

Communist China is already getting nervous about the aftermath from the passing of Zhao Ziyang, the national Party boss deprived of his post and placed under house arrest for opposing the Tiananmen massacre. A Communist mouthpiece has already insisted to the BBC (1/18) and others that the June 4, 1989 spilling of blood “was right.” Anybody within Communist China who thinks otherwise will face a regime that is already on the lookout for any “‘hostile foreign forces’ and disaffected elements within the country” (Willy Lam: CNN) willing to honor Zhao’s memory, which by itself challenges the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. Most analysts expect the Communists will be happy to never hear Zhao’s name again (BBC 1/17). Several internet articles mourning him were posted on the Communist Chinese web, only to vanish within seconds (Epoch Times 1/18). Several Chinese paid there respects with flowers to Zhao’s home; one man even reached Tiananmen Square to stage a protest before the police got to him (Washington Post via MSNBC). In Hong Kong and Taiwan – where the press have more freedom to maneuver – the praise for Zhao was almost universal (BBC collection of quotes).

While the Communists kept a wary eye on their own people, everyone else is watching them. The travel risk assessment firm iJet went so far as to issue a travel advisory because “the authorities may take actions to disburse the demonstrators” honoring Zhao (Epoch Times 1/17). Note: news on Stalinist North Korea comes after the remaining news on Communist China.

Death sparks calls for change in Communist China: The Communists’ reaction will reflect upon them – badly, in the view of most analysts (United Press International/Washington Times). Several dissidents called for genuine Chinese democracy. The Epoch Times’ Xin Fei spoke to Yan Jiaqi and Lin Mu, both former cadres and current dissidents (Yan is in exile). Bai Zhi uses his Epoch Times column to call for an outright end to Communism.

Cybercast News gave the entire quote from Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: “Unlike Japan, China is not a country with several political parties or free elections. I know it will be difficult, but I want China to make an effort toward democracy.” The Communists have yet to verbally smack him for those remarks – but rest assured; it’s coming.

Crackdown against China Democracy Party in Zhejiang: In Zhejiang Province, it was business as usual: ten members of the local branch of the China Democracy Party have been summoned to trial for their role in crafting and submitting a Law on China’s Political Parties (Epoch Times).

More sanctions against Communist firms for Iran nuclear sales: The Bush Administration slapped sanctions against seven firms from Communist China for “selling nuclear weapons technology to Iran” (BBC). Among the familiar names were Norinco and Great Wall Industry.

Communist China flexing its muscles in Asia and Latin America: Communist China is expanding its influence in southern Asia and the Middle East “to project its power overseas and protect its oil shipments,” according to a Pentagon report cited by Bill Gertz (Washington Times). Meanwhile, largely for the same reasons (geopolitical ambition and energy needs), the Communists have forged strong ties to Venezuelan caudillo Hugo Chavez (UPI/Washington Times). As a result, Chavez has begun shifting his oil sales from the U.S. to Communist China.

Eight workers from Communist China abducted in Iraq: A terrorist group in Iraq has abducted eight workers from Communist China and demanded the regime “‘clarifies its role’ in Iraq” (BBC) or the hostages will be killed. Communist China opposed the liberation of Iraq, and in fact the aforementioned Norinco sold Saddam Hussein missile parts for oil-for-food vouchers.

From Stalinist North Korea . . . a protest! For the first time, a videotape of an anti-Stalinist demonstration inside Kim Jong-il’s regime has reached the outside world. Included in the video were pro-democracy dialogue and a portrait of the Stalinist-in-chief scrawled over with the words: “Down with Kim Jong-il. Let's all rise to drive out the dictatorial regime” (London Telegraph).

KJI regime calls abduction issue “settled”: That’s right, Stalinist North Korea will no longer listen to Japan’s demands for a true accounting of the eight still missing Japanese abducted by the regime (BBC). KJI has insisted the eight are dead (next to last item; five were let go and are now back in Japan), but the evidence to back up that claim has been exposed as fakery – twice.

Human Rights Watch is taken to task by the editors of the Washington Times for not paying enough attention to the plight of the people of northern Korea. Meanwhile, many more Koreans in the democratic South, less and less aware of just how much better they have it compared to their suffering brethren in the north, are losing their appreciation for the commanding American general who helped keep them free: Douglas MacArthur (Washington Times).