CCP Does Not Care For The Country

 

CCP's power struggles were ferocious in 1972 and remain so today

 

 

In September 1972, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka flew to Beijing to meet Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai -- a visit that led to the normalization of diplomatic relations.
 
Akitane Kiuchi, 95, who was Tanaka's executive secretary, recently revealed that after the talks in Beijing were done, Zhou asked Tanaka earnestly that he visit Shanghai. The Japanese leader did not know why but agreed to honor his host's wishes.
 
Waiting at Shanghai's airport was Zhang Chunqiao, the top official in the city and a key member of the Gang of Four.
 
  "The Gang of Four did not care for Premier Zhou or normalization with Japan," said Kiuchi. Zhou personally introduced Zhang to Tanaka in a display of deference to his political rival. He ultimately succeeded in bringing Zhang and other political foes onside with regard to the rapprochement with Japan.
 
In China, foreign policy is often associated with internal power struggles. Shanghai is often at the forefront of party infighting in which losers are purged mercilessly. Those lessons are relevant today, as President Xi Jinping heads into the party's national congress from Oct. 16.