Leading up to the 50th anniversary, each issue focuses on the history of China NOW. This article covers issues 6 through 10, the period 1981-1985. The author is Jaap Post; member since 2000, president from 2001 to 2008, advisor to the board and member of the Committee of Recommendation.
China NOW nearly half a century young
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. We are therefore justifiably proud that our magazine China Now has existed for nearly 50 years. This is due to the great efforts of several editors-in-chief and editorial staff, all volunteers. Their creativity and perseverance have made it possible to publish a high-quality magazine about China over many years. Looking back, I would like to take you back to the period 1981 – 1985.
Sliding panels
After Mao’s death, major changes occur in China that culminate in a sweeping reform of economic policy. It begins with the gradual privatization of production in by far the largest sector of the Chinese economy, agriculture. Well known is the statement of the new leader Deng Xiaoping that the color of the cat does not matter as long as it catches mice. And those mice are coming; a growing number of foreign companies are settling in an increasing number of special economic zones. That new policy has detractors in China, people who think the color of the cat does matter. The latter plays out in China but also beyond. A reappraisal of Mao Zedong’s significance and role is emerging in China and internationally.
China Now becomes quarterly magazine
China Now is struggling financially. Despite protests, the Netherlands Committee for Development Cooperation is ending its subsidy to the VNC. This also means the end of funding for the paid member of the editorial staff. To make matters worse, the economic crisis also causes the printer to go bankrupt and another printer must be found. A few important decisions are made: Instead of six times, China NOW will be published four times a year starting with volume 7, and subscription and single issue prices will go up.
Editorial changes. Editor-in-chief is Kees van Galen, a student of Modern Asian History. Other editorial board members include Marilou den Outer and Stefan Landsberger.
The editors decide to devote more attention to three topics. First, on the activities of the VNC, because most readers are members of the VNC. Second, on the relations between the Netherlands and China. Third, current discussions about China. There will also be a chronicle on China with the topics: Domestic, Economy, Foreign, Science and Culture.
Dive boats and the VNC
Taiwan occupied minds in the early 1980s. The issue was whether or not to supply submarines to Taiwan. Given the poor economic situation, delivery would be an important contribution to employment. The VNC takes a different view. Indeed, when the VNC was founded in 1977, it was established that the VNC was in favor of the one-China policy that was also the position of the Dutch government. The latter signed a protocol in 1972 in which the Netherlands respects the Chinese position that Taiwan is a province of China. The order is therefore seen by the VNC as in violation of the 1972 protocol. In 1980 the board of the VNC therefore addressed a letter to the House of Representatives against the “Taiwan Order. In 1981, it even initiated a second letter signed by 15 persons from the world of trade, science and culture. In addition, a press conference was held protesting from different angles. The press conference was a success, with great interest from press and radio.
Incidentally, the van Agt government decides that supplies must continue. The relationship with China suffers temporarily, and the growth of trade figures lags far behind those of neighboring countries. Van Agt visits Beijing again a few years later, but as Queen’s Commissioner in North Brabant. There he is at the forefront of establishing a sister relationship between the provinces of North Brabant and Jiangsu.
The trial of the Gang of Four
The trial of the Gang of Four represents, in a sense, the conclusion of the Cultural Revolution.
These are topics discussed in many articles in China Now. In the first issue of the sixth volume, there are no fewer than six articles on the trial, and the subject recurs in later issues as well. Especially the role of Jiang Qing, Mao’s wife, is discussed in several articles, and the authors’ opinions are by no means uniform. One of the articles points out the many and great merits of Jiang Qing. There is even a book for sale at the VNC about the trial.
The rightness of Prof. Wertheim
At the founding meeting of the VNC, Professor Wertheim predicts that the young association will face difficult times because the young association wants to focus on both broadening and political aspects. Wertheim fears “domination by political movements and parties,” and he is soon proved right. Among a significant group, there is one-sided interest and Chinese policies are defended in discussions and articles as “correct” positions. There is often “uncritical whitewashing” and a lack of a fruitful discussion climate. This sometimes culminates in very far-reaching conflicts.
The color of the cat does matter
Within the VNC, the revolutionary move toward a more market-oriented policy is being closely followed. According to some of the members, the color of the cat does matter and policy is moving too much in the capitalist direction. China can no longer act as a guiding country for these members and their interest in China is waning. Consequently, many politically disappointed members cancel their membership. Despite the influx of new members, membership drops from over a thousand to nearly eight hundred in three turbulent years.
China and its relationship with the Soviet Union and Israell
Each quarter, China Now provides an overview of the latest developments in China under the headings Domestic, Economy, Science, Culture and Foreign. Under the heading Abroad, the relationship with the Soviet Union is regularly discussed. Between China and the Soviet Union things do not appear to be going well. China does want to improve that. The Soviet Union must: 1. reduce its troop strength on the Chinese border, 2. stop its military support to Vietnam and 3. withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. China bases these conditions on the “Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence” enshrined in the Chinese Constitution. These include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, no interference in each other’s internal affairs and equality. Touchstones that have lost none of their topicality.
China’s policy toward Israel is crystal clear: Israel must withdraw from all Arab territories it occupied in 1967 including Jerusalem. U.S. support for Israel is frowned upon, not least because Beijing believes it drives radical Arab countries to side with the Soviet Union.
