Jaap Post
There have been more than a few attempts to publish a journal about China in recent decades. None of those attempts has had a long life. So we are rightly proud that our magazine China Now has been around for almost 50 years. Leading up to the 50th anniversary, we will focus on the history of China NOW in each issue. In this issue we will continue with volumes 11 through 15, the period 1986-1990. The author is Jaap Post; member since 2000, president from 2001 to 2008, currently advisor to the board and member of the Committee of Recommendation.
‘Ni Hao’
In the mid-1980s, the VNC has an important part in the preparation and execution of the Teleac Foundation’s TV and radio course “Ni Hao. Thus Harry Floor, a member of the editorial board of China NU, writes the course book ‘China’. It is a large-format published book, beautifully designed and richly illustrated. In over 300 pages, it describes the many changes in the period 1975-1985 and also places them against the background of sometimes centuries-old developments. The VNC also makes an important contribution to the broadcasts. The course is attended by 12,000 people and is a great success. The course is not doing the VNC any favors; on balance, the number of members is increasing by over 160. China Nu benefits even more by increasing subscriptions from non-members by 145. Also noteworthy is that 20 companies are registered as corporate members. Getting started appears to be paying off.
Wide range of activities
However, the VNC does much more thanks to a large number of volunteers. Without wanting to be exhaustive, the following gives an idea of that. In the early 1980s, for example, the VNC began offering Chinese language courses. It proved a success: in the period 1985-1986, according to China NOW, language courses were given to nearly 260 students in no fewer than sixteen cities. The VNC has its own library that is visited almost daily. The number of books has grown to over 1,100 in 1985 and there are subscriptions to about 75 magazines. The VNC is also engaged in the sale of books, paper cuttings, etc. Interest is especially high in books, although delivery times were long at that time. Another activity relates to Chinese magazines. At that time there are about 2,000 subscriptions to Chinese magazines in the Netherlands. About a third of these are provided by the VNC. And what about the activity Chinese stamps, where collectors subscribe to the sending of Chinese stamps. Yet another very different activity is more business-oriented and mainly involves providing business information. Not to mention organizing trips to China. This is where the VNC started early on, in the late 1970s, soon after which it became part of the Travel Foundation. Many of the activities mentioned are the revenue model to make other activities of the association possible. And there is not always enough money available for these.
China NOW by a thread
One such other activity is the magazine China NOW. In 1990, the VNC had to make cutbacks. In addition, a report from a committee of good offices set up by the VNC concluded that “in terms of content, the magazine hardly satisfies the wishes of its readership.” A very drastic reduction in the magazine’s budget is looming, and the board is showing little flexibility to change that. The editors have little hope that the General Assembly (ALV), where decisions on the budget cuts are made, will decide otherwise. Thus, the first issue of 1990 might also be its last. Surprisingly, many members at the ALV express great appreciation for the content of China NOW. The cutback on China NU is significantly reduced and the editors feel empowered to continue their work.
Gorbachev
“The most important event of 1985 outside China,” is how the Chinese press sees the election of Gorbachev as Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, according to China NOW. At the time, people still considered the Soviet Union a greater danger than the United States. This is mainly because of, as Deng Xiaoping puts it “the three obstacles”: Russian support for the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and Russian troops on the Chinese border. Yet the need for better relations is felt in both China and the Soviet Union. Accordingly, China NOW’s Foreign Affairs section regularly pays attention to efforts and progress in that regard. Especially popular among students hoping for more political democracy is Gorbachev with his Glasnost and Perestroika. At the same time, Chinese leaders see a danger in this.
The death of Hu Yaobang
Economic liberalization in China is proving to be a success, the Chinese economy is growing like crazy. Now that there is more economic freedom, the desire for more political freedom is growing, especially among students. But there are also thoughts of political reform in the Party, especially among Hu Yuaobang, the Communist Party general secretary. But these thoughts do not resonate with his colleagues; he is deposed in January 1987. On April 15, 1989, Hu Yaobang dies of a heart attack. The students see in him a martyr and take to the streets en masse, and other groups also join them. The party secretary at the time, Zhao Ziyang, calls for dialogue with the students. But to no avail, he is deposed and called “a traitor to the party.” The hard line sets the tone. The protests continue, however, and a 10-meter-high plaster statue of the “Goddess of Freedom” rises in Tian’anmen Square opposite Mao’s portrait. It bears a striking resemblance to the American Statue of Liberty.
June 4, 1989
The second 1989 issue of China Now opens with the reactions of three friendship associations, the VNC, the Belgian and the German, to events in China. They express their dismay, bewilderment and condemnation of the carnage committed among students demonstrating for greater freedom. The issue is largely devoted to eyewitness accounts, some of them anonymous for security reasons. In doing so, the names of Chinese people mentioned in the articles have been changed for that reason. Also, no photos have been posted that the Chinese government could use to arrest people. The first article is about the events leading up to the massacre; it is by Gwendolyn Tates. She is in Beijing “to welcome the economic delegation that was to accompany Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus” on their visit to China. However, at the last minute, due to tensions, it is decided not to go ahead with this visit.
The third issue of 1989 is also devoted to the student demonstrations and their bloody end. The facts are listed and analyzed. Different views are also discussed. Internationally, China is affected by sanctions. Incidentally, in 1990 the European Community decides to largely withdraw their sanctions.
