Publish to perish: Regime choices and propaganda impact in the Anti-Falungong Publications Campaign, July 1999-April 2000

Journal of Contemporary China

Volumn 14, Issue 44, 2005, Pages 507-523

  Tong, James W ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

POLITICS; PUBLISHING;

ASIA; CHINA; EASTERN HEMISPHERE; EURASIA; FAR EAST; WORLD;

EID: 22144432646     PISSN: 10670564     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/10670560500115465     Document Type: Article

References (99)

1. Renmin ribao, (23 July 1999), p. 1.
2. Guangming ribao, (3 August 1999), p. 1;
3. Xinhua, Bejing, (27 October 2001).
4. Renmin ribao, (29 July 1999), p. 4, (30 July 1999), p. 4;
5. Guangming ribao, (29 July 1999), p. 1.
6. Ming Xia and Shiping Hua, eds, 'The battle between the Chinese government and the Falung Gong', Chinese Law and Government 32(5), (September-October 1999), pp. 14-18, 51-55.
7. Xinhua, Bejing, (27 December 1999).
8. Zong Hairen, 'Zhu Rongji zai yijiujiujiu nian' ['Zhu Rongji in 1999'], 2001, n.p.
9. Excerpts are translated in Chinese Law and Government 35(5), (January-February 2002), p. 66;
10. hereafter Zong H, 'Zhu Rongji zai yijiujiujiu nian'.
11. Zhongguo Falu Nianjian, 2001 [Law Yearbook of China, 2001] (Beijing: Zhongguo Falu Nianjian chubanshe, 2001), pp. 212-217.
12. From the 13th Central Committee (1987) on, there were no Marxist or Maoist theoreticians in the Politburo in the same league as Chen Boda (1966-1971), Yao Wenyuan (1969-1976), and Hu Qiaomu (1982-1987). The Red Flag [Hongq] was inaugurated in August 1958, and ceased publication in June 1988.
13. For a recent study on the conflict between market demand and party control, see Yuezhi Zhao, Media, Market, and Democracy in China: Between the Party Line and the Bottom Line (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998).
14. Zhongguo zhengfu jikou minglu [Directory of Governmental Institutions in China] (Beijing: Xinhua Chubanshe, 1996), vol. 1, pp. 265-267.
15. The campaign began in February 1996, when State Councilor Song Jian attacked pseudo-science in his address to the National Conference on Popularization of Science. In May, Suzhou levied a fine of over 8 million yuan on the 'Shen Chang Center for Human Body Applied Science and Technology'. In August, the Ministry of Propaganda and six other state agencies issued the joint order to 'Strengthen the management of qigong in society'. See Cheng Helin, ed., Falungong daqidi [Great Expose of the Falungong] (Beijing: Xiandai chubanshe, 2000), pp. 153-154.
16. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000 [2000 China Publications Yearbook] (Beijing: Zhongguo chuban nianjianshe, 2000), p. 158.
17. Ibid., p. 158.
18. Nine of these were published by the three NPB in-house presses.
19. For the list of 120 titles, see Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 470-474.
20. For the list of 120 titles, see Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 470-474.
21. The published figure includes both book volumes and sheets of posters, maps and calendars. The small average pagination size suggests many titles were single-page posters and sheet maps; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 66-71.
22. For recent studies on the competitiveness of the mass media in China, see Barrett McCormick, 'Recent trends in mainland China's media: political implications of commercialization', Issues and Studies 38(4) and 39(1), (December 2002/March 2003), pp. 175-215.
23. See also Yuezhi Zhao, Media, Market, and Democracy in China;
24. Chinchuan Lee, Power, Money, and Media: Communication Patterns and Bureaucratic Control in Cultural China (Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 2000);
25. Stephanie Hemelryk Donald, Michael Keane and Yin Hong, eds, Media in China: Consumption, Content and Crisis (London: Routledge/Curzon, 2002);
26. Yuezhi Zhao, 'From commercialization to conglomeration: the transformation of the Chinese press within the orbit of the party state', Journal of Communication 50(2), (Spring 2000), pp. 3-26:
27. Joseph M. Chan, 'Television in Greater China: structure, exports, and market formation', in John Sinclair, Elizabeth Jacka and Stuart Cunningham, eds, New Patterns in Global Television: Peripheral Vision (London: Oxford University Press, 1996), pp. 126-161;
28. Ying Zhu, 'Chinese cinema's economic reform from the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's', Journal of Communication 52(4), (December 2002), pp. 905-921;
29. Daniel Lynch, After the Propaganda State: Media, Politics, and 'Thought Work' in Reformed China (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1999);
30. Chin-chuan Lee, ed., Chinese Media, Global Contexts (New York: Routledge, 2003).
31. The four classical Ming and Qing novels have enjoyed brisk sales in recent years. In China's book market, there were 64 editions of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 61 editions of Water Margin, 55 editions of Dream of the Red Chamber, and 58 editions of Journey to the West; see Zhongguo tushu nianjian, 1999, p. 68.
32. Zhongguo tushu nianjian, 1999, pp. 41-45.
33. In 1998, China imported 13,340 titles of works on philosophy and social sciences, 20,923 on culture and education, 121,544 on literature and art, 135,469 on science and technology, 5,900 on children's readers, and 60,335 general topics. They totaled 1,798,400 volumes worth $20.74 million; see Zhongguo tushu nianjian, 1999, p. 765.
34. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2001, pp. 42-43, 71.
35. Between 1978 and 1997, the number of newspapers in China increased from 186 to 2,149, and circulation from 12.8 billion to 28.8 billion copies. The number of periodicals increased from 930 to 7,918 in the same period; Zhonghua renimin gongheguo ziliao shouce, 1949-1999 (Beijing: Shelmi kexue wenxian chubanshe, 1999), pp. 910-911.
36. Zhongguo xinwen nianjian, 2000, pp. 63, 391;
37. Zhonghua remin gongheguo ziliao shouce, 1949-1999, p. 887.
38. CCTV Yearbook 2001, p. 334.
39. Zhongguo guangbo dianshi nianjian, 2000, p. 41.
40. Ibid., pp. 208-209.
41. CCTV Yearbook, 1999, pp. 253-256;
42. CCTV Yearbook, 2000, pp. 324-329;
43. CCTV Yearbook, 2001, pp. 339-346.
44. Zhonghua remin gongheguo ziliao shouce, 1949-1999, p. 895;
45. Zhongguo guangbo dianshi nianjian, 2000, pp. 41, 86-88. From 1953 to 1979, the CPBS received a cumulative total of 2.27 million letters from its listeners. In an average year from 1996 to 1999, it has received 1.4 million letters from domestic audiences, and an additional 688,000 letters to its international affiliate station.
46. Zhongguo guangbo dianshi nianjian, 2000, p. 335.
47. Zhongguo tushu nianjian, 1999, p. 79.
48. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2001, p. 84.
49. See www.chinawriter.org/haoshu/tsphb/tsphb000019.asp, (accessed on 15 July 2003). The website lists only the most recent book fair transactions. The top two orders are the Xinhua Dictionary (4 million), and the Xiandai Hanyu Cidian [Contemporary Chinese Dictionary].
50. In May 1996, Suzhou levied a fine of over 8 million yuan on the 'Shen Chang Center for Human Body Applied Science and Technology'. See Cheng Helin, ed., Falungong daqidi, pp. 153-154.
51. These include, among others, Bianzheng di lishi di weiwuzhuyi [Dialectical Historical Materialism] (Beijing: Junshi kexue chubanshe, May 1999);
52. Zhongguo wushenlunshi ziliao xuanbian (Song Yuan Ming bian) [Selections on the History of China's Atheism-Song, Yuan, Ming Periods] (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, January 1999);
53. Bu zhidao di shijie [The Unknown World] (Beijing: Zhongguo shaolian ertong chubanshe, August 1998). All were included in the official anti-Falungong series of 120 books.
54. For instance, Li Hongzhi Qi Ren Qi Shi [Li Hongzhi: the Man, the Deeds] (Beijing: Renmin meishu chubanshe, July 1999);
55. Xiandai fangyan-Li Hongzhi waili xieshuo pingxi [Contemporary Lies-Analytical Commentary on Li Hongzhi's Illogical Reasoning and Heterodox Theories] (Beijing: Zhongguo shuji cbubanshe, July 1999).
56. Zong, 'Zhu Rongji zai yijiujiujiu nian', pp. 62-63.
57. Zhongguo zhengfu jikou minglu, vol. 1, p. 265.
58. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2001, p. 85.
59. Ibid. Zhou, a leading physicists, was President of China's Academy of Sciences, 1987-1995. Lu was his successor. Zhu, holds a University of Michigan Physics Ph.D. from 1950, and has been President of China's Institute of Engineering of the State Council since 1994.
60. The 1999 publication plan was set at the National Conference of Publication Bureau Chiefs held in Beijing, 23-26 January 1999; see Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 156.
61. The Ninth Five-Year Publication Plan selected 1,209 titles to be published in 1996-2000. These titles did not include the anti-Falungong series; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 156.
62. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 78.
63. The first permanent Portuguese settlement was built in Macau in 1553. Over 50 titles commemorating the return of Macau were published in 1999; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 78.
64. Zhuan Falun pipan [A Critique of Zhuan Falun] (Beijing: Beijing chubanshe, 2001), printed 5,000 copies;
65. Dou Wentao, Falungong daqidi [Great Expose of the Falungong] (Beijing: Xiandai chubanshe, 2000), printed 5,000 copies;
66. Wang Zhigang and Song Jianfeng, 'Falungong' Xiejiaobenji mianmianguan [Different Perspectives of the Essence of the Falungong Cult] (Beijing: Lantian chubanshe, 2001), printed 6,000 copies;
67. Yen Shi, ed., Shiji jupian: Li Hongzhi [Swindler of the Century: Li Hongzhi] (Beijing: Dazhong wenyi chubanshe, 1999) printed 10,000 copies;
68. Xiandai Huangyan:
69. Ju Mengjun, ed., Chanchu xiejiao qiankun long [The Universe will be Bright after the Cult is Eradicated] (Beijing: Xinhua chubanshe, 2001), first edition, two printings, 30,000 copies;
70. Bushi 'zhen shan ren'er shi 'zhen chan ren' [It is Not 'Truth, Kindness, Forbearance' but Real Cruelty] (Beijing: Xuexi chubanshe, 2001), first edition, has two printings.
71. In the 2003 Book Purchasing Fair in Beijing, orders for the top 22 titles ranged from 100,000 to 4 million copies. The top 100 titles each had a minimum order of 20,000 copies. This is an incomplete listing; www.chinawriter.org/haoshu/tsphb/tsphb000019asp.
72. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 67-71, 699.
73. Xinhua, Beijing, (27 December 1999).
74. On 24 July 1996, the NPB banned five Falungong titles: Zhongguo Falungong [Chinese Falungong], published by the Junshi Yiwen chubanshe;
75. Zhuan Falun [Revolving Dharma Wheel], published by the Zhongguo guangbo dianshi chubanshe;
76. Zhuan Falun, juan er [Revolving Dharma Wheel, Volume II], published by the Zhongguo shijieyu chubanshe;
77. Falun Dafa Yijie [Explanation of the Meaning of the Great Doctrine of Falun], published by Changchun chubanshe;
78. Shentong Dafa-Li Hongzhi he Zhongguo Falungong [The Magic Power of the Great Doctrine-Li Hongzhi and Chinese Falungong], published by the Shenyang chubanshe.
79. On 16 August 1996, the NPB banned Zhuang Falun [Revolving Dharma Wheel] published by the Hualing chubanshe.
80. On 5 June 1998, the NPB approved the Guangdong Provincial News and Publications Bureau to ban the Falun Fofa [Buddhist Doctrines of the Dharma Wheel], published by the Huacheng chubanse.
81. On 1 June 1999, the NPB approved the ban by the Qinghai News and Publications Bureau of Zhuang Falun Fajie [Explanation of the Doctrines of the Revolving Dharma Wheel], Falun Fofa-zai Xini jiang Fa [Extolling the Falun Doctrines in Sydney], Falun Fofa-zai On Zhou fahui jiang Fa [Extolling the Falun Doctrines in a Doctrinal Conference in Europe], Falun Fofa-zai Beimei shoujie fahui shang jiang Fa [Extolling the Doctrines in the First Doctrinal Conference in North America], all published by the Qinghai renmin chubanshe. Xinhua, Beijing, (23 July 1999).
82. There were many nationwide best book competitions, but several had disciplinary restrictions-literature, national minority, historical, ancient text, education video, art and music multi-media products.
83. There were also other best book prizes in China, restricted to certain types of publishers, or market segments (women's literature, children's books), publication products (education video, art and music CDs), or to specific disciplines-literature, national minority, history, and ancient classics. For instance, the NBR has a competition for best books produced by in-house publishers; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 164, 213-215, 217-219, 224-228.
84. Zhongguo zhengfu jikou minglu, vol. 1, p. 265.
85. The 1999 National Best Book Competition had three levels of awards. For the highest level, the National Book Honors Awards [Guojia tushu jiang rongyu jiang], awards were presented to 12 titles selected from all publication categories. The next highest set of awards went to 40 titles, including eight in Social Sciences, eight in Science and Technology, four in Literature, four in Fine Arts, four in Children's Books, three in Ethnic Minorities, three in Dictionaries and three in Ancient Classics, In the third and next lower level, 96 titles were selected for the Honorable Mention Awards [timing jiang]. In total, 148 titles received the National Best Book Prize in 1999; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 164.
86. The 2000 National Best Book Prize Competition had only one-tier of awards for 214 titles.
87. Several of the books were jointly published by multiple presses.
88. Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, p. 161.
89. The winning title was part of a Nature book series entitled 'Red Ants Nature Books' ['hong mayi zhiran congshu'].
90. Zhongguo gongchandang zhujishi zhiliao (1921-1997) (Beijing: Zhongguo dangshi chubanshe, 2000);
91. Zhongguo xiaosu minzhu gemingshi (Guilin: Guangxi minzhu chubanshe, 2000).
92. Wang Binglin, Deng Xiaoping lilun yu zhonggong dang shixue (Beijing: Beijing chubanshe, 2000).
93. Jin Chongji, Liu Shaoqi zhuan (Beijing: Zhongyang wenxian chubanshe, 1999);
94. Li Dachao, Li Dachao zhuanji (Shijiazhaung: Hebei renmin chunbanshe, 2000);
95. Hu Mu Wen Cong (Beijing: Renmin chubanshe, 2000).
96. Zhongguo renmin kangri junshi zhengzhi daxueshi (Beijing: Guofang daxue chubanshe, 2000).
97. Five of the top ten titles in the 2003 Beijing Book Fair were dictionaries. At least ten of the top 50 titles were school texts and exam preparatory manuals; see www.chinawriter.org/haoshu/tsphb/ tsphb000019.asp.
98. These titles, either monographs or series, fall into three categories-literature (97 titles), culture and education (136 titles), and children's (63) publications; Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2000, pp. 658-662.
99. The 385 titles include both new prints and re-prints of books published in 1999-2000, broken down by three categories-social sciences (127), economics (73), and science and technology (185); Zhongguo chuban nianjian, 2001, pp. 614-620.