Embassy of the German Democratic Republic in the People's Republic of China
Beijing, 18 March 1969

N o t e
on an information about minority policy of the Mao faction
by Comrade Dashdorsh, attache at the Mongolian embassy, on 17 March 1969

Comrade Dashdorsh provided the following information on Inner Mongolia:

1. Hanization began in 18th century. Evidence for Hanization exists since mid-18th century for Mongolia, Sinkiang, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam and Korea.

2. In 1949 the more than 50 minorities in the PRC consisted of around 43 million.

3. Hanization in the PRC started immediately against the Manchus, which were 2-4 million in 1949 and, according to Chinese statistics, 100.000 in 1958. Systematic Hanization of all other national minorities started after 1958.

4. In 1949 there were still 1 million Mongolians and 7 million Han in Inner Mongolia. Until 1958 there was an additional influx of 1 million Han, until 1967 three more millions and in 1968 another million. Thus Inner Mongolia today has a population of 13 million, among them 1 million of Mongolians.

Beginning in 1966, Chinese youth were systematically deported into Inner Mongolia. In August 1968 alone 50-60.000 youth came from middle schools in Shanghai.

5. Since 1958 there are efforts to persuade Mongolians in Inner Mongolia to emigrate to Shanghai, Tientsin and Canton. In those three cities offices dealing with migration were opened, but they were not very successful.

6. Mongolian intellectuals worked always actively against Hanization. They fought, for instance, against the delegation of major Red Guards units to Huhehot on 10 August 1966. On 18 August 1966 an illegal meeting in Baotou by Mongolian youth and intellectuals (academics, artists and writers) against Hanization and the activities of the Red Guards was bloodily dissolved by the Chinese army. Many were arrested. The anti-Mao forces, which were identical with the Anti-Han-Movement, were crushed.

7. It is not known to what extent Ulanfu was associated with this movement.

8. From 1966, and particularly since 1968, the systematic Hanization of daily life and culture was set in motion, in association with propaganda of Maoist ideology. Army propaganda units were assigned to that purpose. Almost all Mongolian intellectuals were criticized and eliminated from public life. Mongolian classes only exist in grades 1 to 3, their main purpose is to teach the Chinese language. From grade 4 all lessons are taught in Chinese (Han).

9. Chinese youth, having been deported to Inner Mongolia in fall 1968, are having conflicts with the locals. Living conditions are harsh. They suffer from hard work and they are not used to the climate and the food (one salty drink with tea and milk in the morning, main dish in the evening). Many got sick. Due to a deficit of hospitals and treatment by amateur doctors many have died already.

Many others have attempted to flee. The army is imposing tight controls. As of recently, members of army propaganda units based in schools are joining Chinese youth to the countryside.

Chinese youth have the permission to marry Mongolians and return with them to their home city.

Comments:

1. Information and numbers given are credible, although they are not complete.

2. It is very difficult to obtain information on the minority policy of the Mao faction. This is particularly true for the minority areas in the West, South West and in the South. In all likeliness the propaganda of Mao ideology is connected with Hanization, including the deportation of youth. Also the opposition of minorities against Mao's course is related to questions of nationality. But this offers counterrevolutionary elements, which still feel ties to capitalist society and Chiang Kai-Chek, additional options for their activities, like in 1968 in Guanxi and Kuichou provinces and in 1969 in Tibet.

3. The information in number 9 above has been corroborated also from other sources.

Dr. Bettin
2nd Secretary of GDR Embassy

[Translation provided by Bernd Schaefer]