From The Hindu Archives, February 17, 1976: Campaign in China initiated by Mao

Hong Kong, Feb. 16: China’s current political struggle, which appears to be spearheaded against the Vice-Premier, Mr. Teng Hsiao-ping was “personally initiated” by the Communist Party Chairman, Mr. Mao Tse-tung, Shanghai Radio reported to-day.

The campaign began as a debate over education policies. Recently it has turned into a vehement attack on leaders purged during the Cultural Revolution and who have been restored to power but have refused to make proper penance.

Mr. Teng, host to the U.S. President, Mr. Gerald Ford, during his December visit to Peking, is the most prominent leader in this category.

The Shanghai broadcast reported that a mass rally was held in China’s largest city last Friday under the sponsorship of the Shanghai Revolutionary Committee. About 1,800 people attended mainly committee cadres and officials of scientific and technological institutes in the city.

That rally was believed to be one of the first — if not the first — mass meetings not confined to a college campus since the criticism heated up against Mr. Teng.

The broadcast said the current struggle against the “right deviationist wind” was significant. In addition to denouncing alleged attempts by rehabilitated persons such as Mr. Teng, to restore other Cultural Revolution victims to power, it also attacked the economic policies they are pushing.