Wenxiong Yao

Perspectives, Vol. 1, No. 1

1. On March 26, 1999, after the effort for peaceful resolution of Kosovo crisis failed, NATO started its bombing on military targets in Yugoslavia. Russia and China denounced the attack. This is the first time that NATO attacked a sovereign country without authorization from UN. On June 12, 1999, After Yugoslavian army retreated from Kosovo according to an agreement between Yugoslavia and G-8 countries, NATO stopped its bombing. The ground troops of NATO and Russia began to occupy Kosovo.

2. On May 7, 1999, Chinese Embassy at Belgrade was bombed by "five missiles from different angles." Three Chinese journalists were killed and more than 10 embassy staff members were injured. Several hours later, Chinese Ambassador to UN, Qin Huasong, requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss this incident. In Beijing, Chinese spokesman said that "the US-led NATO" had committed "barbaric acts" and cruel war crimes in Yugoslavia. Shortly thereafter, angry Chinese protestors, including many college students, marched onto the streets and demonstrated before American and other NATO countries' diplomatic posts all over China. Protestors attacked American and British Embassies in Beijing, and partially burned the residence of the American Counsellor in Chengdu, Sichuan. Meanwhile, the Chinese government announced that it had withdrawn from the security and WTO negotiations with the USA. The relationship between China and USA fell to the lowest point since the Taiwan Straits Crisis in 1995. 

The demonstration of Chinese protestors all over the world lasted for days. The surge of nationalism could be seen in almost every corner of the Chinese society. The influence of Primer Zhu Rongji was said to be weakened after the bombing, and the military budget was said to be increased significantly. At the same time, the incident pushed Russia and China closer. By mid-July, political and military leaders of the two countries decided to set up a central group jointly to develop sophisticated military weapons. Russia agreed to sell China 50 SuK-30 fighters. 

On June 14, 1999, because China was not satisfied with the two apologies offered by President Clinton, the White House sent a special envoy to Beijing to explain the bombing. Again, the Chinese government dismissed the explanation as insufficient. In late July, the USA began to negotiate with China on compensations for damages resulting from the bombing.

3. On April 25, 1999, more than 10,000 Falun Dafa followers gathered in Beijing to demand legal recognition. They surrounded Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound in central Beijing. On July 22, the Chinese government officially banned Falun Gong as illegal. The teachings of Falun Gong was accused of corrupting people's minds and sabotaging national stability. Up to early August, tens of Falun Gong leaders and hundreds of followers were arrested. Falun Gong believers organized a demonstration in Washington DC on August 5th. Some official estimates state that there are around 2 million Falun Gong followers around the world, but Falun Gong itself claims that they have 100 million followers. According to New York Times, "Falun Gong mixes elements of Buddhism and Taoism with breathing exercises and meditation. It also preaches frugality and abstinence from liquor and tobacco as aids to leading a moral life." On August 22, 1999, the Chinese government announced that it was ready to prosecute the leaders of Falun Gong.

4. On June 27, 1999, after being requested by HKSAR government, the National People's Congress rendered an interpretation of the Hong Kong Basic Law, effectively voiding an earlier decision by Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal regarding the right of abode of over 1 million children of Hong Kong residents. Some Hong Kong residents demonstrated against this action, claiming that it harmed the independence of the Hong Kong judicial system. Proponents of the NPC action argue that interpreting the Basic Law is a function explicitly reserved by NPC in the Basic Law, and the NPC interpretation is not only legal, but also required by law.

5. On July 9, 1999, China and Japan finished their negotiations over China's WTO entry. Soon afterwards, China and Australia also reached agreement over China's concession into WTO.

6. On July 10, 1999, Taiwan's LEE Teng-hui characterized the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland of China as "state-to-state," albeit a special one, during an interview on German radio. Taiwan began to frame the relationship with the mainland as "one nation, two states" both in words and actions.

Clinton Administration tried to avert further conflicts by sending envoys to both sides. In the following weeks, China tested several new weapons, including DF31 missiles. Some old news, edited by certain Hong Kong newspapers, put Taiwanese people into a panic. The stock market in Taiwan plunged hundreds of points. Some analysts claimed that a propaganda war had started across the Taiwan Straits.

7. On August 7, 1999, the Extended Assembly of CCP's Political Bureau was held in Beidaihe. The topic originally was supposed to be the State-Owned Enterprise (SOEs) reforms. But confronted with sudden events both domestically and internationally, the Assembly discussed broad topics including Sino-USA relationship, strategies over the Taiwan Straits, and other domestic situations. The Assembly confirmed the expansionary fiscal policy of Premier Zhu Rongji. Party leaders also agreed to intensify their efforts to reform the troubled SOEs.

The Assembly decided to reopen the negotiation with the USA over WTO at a suitable time. Regarding the "one nation, two states" proposal by Lee Teng-hui, the Assembly emphasized the importance of Party unity in fighting against efforts of separatism, and ordered the military forces to become ready for any future actions.