Poster war in Shanghai hits at Madame Mao

Press, 16 October 1976, Page 8

Poster war in Shanghai hits at Madame Mao

NZPA-Reuter Peking A wall-poster campaign has begun in Shanghai, China’s largest city, accusing Mao Tse-tung’s widow, Chiang Ching, and three other leftist leaders of plotting against the Communist Party, according to reliable sources in Peking. They said that posters went up all over the city on Thursday night attacking the four Politburo members, who are reported to be under arrest.

The posters referred to the four Politburo members bv name and branded them as an “anti-party plot group.” Apart from Madame Mao, they named the Communist Party vice-chairman (Mr Wang Hung-wen) the senior deputy Prime Minister (Chang Chun-chiao), and the propagandist, Mr Yao Wenyuan. All four are leftist radicals who gained political fame in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution a decade ago. Diplomats in Peking said

it was logical that any campaign against them should be launched in Shanghai. Other wall posters have appeared at Peking University attacking “schemers,” but they do not name the four radical leaders. “Hit the dog which is in the water. The schemers will come to no good end,” said one wall poster. Another slogan that was pasted up at Peking University declared: “The day the people will know the truth is the day when the schemers are finished.” Sources told NZPA-Reuter that Shanghai was “plastered with posters.” Moderate politicians yesterday appeared to be tightening their grip on the Chinese leadership as the official media gave warning that anyone who tried to split the Communist Party would be struck down. A front-page headline in the “People’s Daily” called for a struggle against those who “tamper with Chairman Mao’s directives.”

Mr Li Hsien-nien, a leading moderate, and Deputy Prime Minister, turned up at Peking Airport to see off Mr Michael Somare, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, after his official visit here. Protocol would normally demand that Mr Hua Kuofeng, the Prime Minister, should bid farewell to Mr iSomare. His absence reinforced diplomatic speculation that the 71-year-old Mr Li (will be made Prime Minister when Mr Hua —who is the new party chairman—gives up the job.