Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1989. július-december (43. évfolyam, 27-48. szám)
1989-12-07 / 46. szám
Thursday, Dec. 7. 1989. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 11. Jack Bobrow CHINA REVISITED Four years ago I visited China with a small group for a month. I was very anxious to see what changes took place since my last visit. To see and learn if I could what affect Tiananmen Square had on China, also the economic changes that had taken place. What I write is based on personal observations and discussions with people there. When we visited Tiananmen Square which is the largest in the world, it was blocked off. One could enter only at certain points, civilians with red armbands were checking credentials. I noticed hundreds filed thru waving a little red book which I assume, was a party membership book. We entered (18 Americans) and quickly walked across the vast square to join a short line outside a building. When we got in we found we are looking at the embalmed remains of Mao. My only comment: "They did not do a very good job." The entire thing took less than a 5 hour. There were no tanks to be seen only a few troops scattered about. Tiananmen Square A group of soldiers was around a monument in the center of the Square, sealing it off from visitors. I couldn't fathom what it signified. There were groups of children everywhere with attending adults. I discussed the events with our chinese-American guide. He pointed out that at its height one million people had participated and that the population of China is over one billion. So percentage-wise it was very small indeed. The immense majority of the people are peasants who live in the countryside and what information they receive is absolutely controlled by the government. A relatively small group was involved in the action in the Square. The government acted deliberately in the massacre in order to send a graphic message to the students and the intellectuals as Stalin did in 1936 with his trumped-up Moscow Trials. Four years ago the peasants were just beginning the changes I have seen now in the countryside. They have some say in what they produce and can sell for profit what the government does not take as a quota. There are incredible sights there now, showing the obvious affluence. Bycicles, TV-antennas, new homes 2, and even 3 stories high, replacing the hovels.Democracy slogans for freedom mean nothing to them. The changes they want have already mm —i THE RETUH OF STEVE LUTHERÁN occurred. The N,Y. Times in an article describing the origins of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations talks about a contingent from the People's University who marched into the Square and started the demonstrations, to coincide with Gorbachev's visit. I was told these students are the sons and daughters of the party elite. This school trains future party leaders. Their demands were simple: an end to corruption and nepotism. The changes introduced by Deng have gone haywire with everyone rushing to make a fast buck. Other universities joined them and soon workers who had just grievences, and those who were on fixed incomes of 40 to 90 dollars a month joined also. Then the intelletuals. Everyone involved was putting forward his or her own demand.At first the government did not act because they were confronted by their own sons and daughters, but as it grew they acted ruthlessly, a la Stalin. Our local guide in Beijing, a young man, when we passed a compound with a red wall, said that the new emperors lived behind that wall. I noted he wore a heavy gold ring and gold chain around his neck which was unusual in China. He also was not adverse to offer to change money. In Shanghai, the most intensely populated city in China entire families live in one room. I met a student who was training to be a biology teacher at one of the universities. When I asked him about his plans, he said he would like to go abroad and not to teach which he had no interest in ' but make money, return and live well as some of his friends . With his father, mother they live in one small room with no amenities. Shanghai is being torn down in front of one's eyes. New hotels and foreign trade centers are going up everywhere. The street from the airport is jammed with vehicles several miles long. Our guide called it Hotel Street. I asked where were the people whose dwellings were torn down? In the suburbs, I was told. I saw no new housing of any kind going up in the city which we criss-crossed several times. When we visited a furniture factory on the outskirts, all I saw were empty lots and additions being put up for the furniture factory. It seems commerce takes top priority. When we visited Quilin,a smaller city, it was teeming with stands and stores,and streetvendors, all private. In one street I counted 20 private restaurants. Everyone is shopping or selling - it seemed to me. Four years ago there was nothing like this. At that time large groups of young people were just standing around. I was told they are waiting for work-, and they have no unemployed! I spoke to someone about the foreign industrial investments. The gist of it is as follows: In the South China Sea American oil companies have put down wells, they have supplied platforms, know-how and extraction equipment. The Chinese supply basic labor rights for drilling and some material. The joint company sells the oil to oil companies with both partners Continued on page 12 After having enjoyed Maria and László Heldák's marvelous stuffed cabbage and poppyseed cake at the Hungarian Culture Club's bazaar, I became a little drowsy and took a few minutes nap. Next thing I felt was that someone was tagging at my shoulder. I looked up and imagine whom I saw? Our Steve Lutheran, our beloved poet laureate. I rubbed my eyes. Lutheran - I said - I thought you died! He laughed: Come on! You should know better. Old soldiers never die! Furthermore wasn't it you who some time ago quoted the Lutheran liturgy about the three forms of death and only the third death counts! I couldn't find words. Then he continued: You know we both were so busy that I never had a chance to tell you a few things about my life that I always wanted you to know. Once I made a pledge that I will tell you about my dear uncle, János Üszőgh. János Uszógh? - I said surprised. - Who was he? He was a relative of mine in my native village of Onga. You know, in my life old man Death wanted to snatch me very often. But either out of luck or out of determination, I always outwitted him. When I was a young boy, one winter I got the flue. People were dying left and right. I must have had a temperature of 104 and 105. My folks kept me in wet blankets, packed me among ice cubes. That is what the doctor told them to do. He also gave them a prescription., The trouble was that the nearest pharmacy was in the next village of Gesztely about five miles from Onga. It was bitter winter, there was a lot of snow on the ground. Who could reach Gesztely which on top of everything was on the other side of the River Hernád? My uncle Üszőgh said he will go. My folks gave him a heavy sheepskin coat (ködmön) ■ then packed his boots with a lot of paper and out he went into the howling storm. Singing. Yes, singing. And my folks in our house started to pray and they prayed until he came back several hours later with the medicine that saved my life. But unfortunately due to the tremendous exertion and exposure, he got the flue and died. He literally offered his life for mine. I don't know if I ever told this story to my family, so I take this opportunity to do so. I wrote it up in one of my poems, but alas, I don't think that any of my grandchildren ever had a chance to read it. I told him that I will relate this story to them. I redeem my pledge with this report. Zoltán Deák
