Millions of people in Beijing attended the funeral ceremony mourning the death of Chairman Mao.

The decade between 1972 and 1981 witnessed many monumental events and changes in China. In 1976 the "Gang of Four" was toppled, and a tremendous change took place in Chinese society. In 1978 Deng Xiaoping initiated the reform and opening-up policy, ushering China onto a new track of development.

Deaths of State Leaders

This decade also left the Chinese people with many sad memories. The year 1976 saw the deaths of three revered state leaders. The death of Mao Zedong in particular plunged the whole country into grief.

The atmosphere in Tian An Men Square was solemn and reverent. A huge black streamer running across the rostrum on Tian An Men carried the words in white: "Mass Memorial Meeting for the Great Leader and Teacher Chairman Mao Zedong."

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The national flag in the square flew at half mast. The people of the capital and Party, government and army cadres stood in orderly formation in the square and along the five kilometers of Changan Avenue which passes through the square. They had converged on the square from factories, mines, enterprises, stores, rural people's communes, army quarters, offices, schools and homes.

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At 3 p.m. sharp the memorial meeting began. The million mourners stood at attention and observed three minutes of silence as a 500-man military band played solemn funeral music. Live transmissions over radio and television carried the meeting to innumerable homes. As the funeral music reached every corner of the land, 800 million people stood in silent tribute with tears in their eyes and at the same time sirens and whistles were sounded all across the country, in factories and mines, from moving trains, ships and naval vessels.

(From "One Million People in Peking at Solemn Mass Memorial Meeting for Chairman Mao Tsetung," November-December 1976.)

In 1981, the death of Soong Ching Ling deprived China of a great state leader, the world of a great woman, and China Reconstructs of its founder. To commemorate this great woman of the 20th century, this magazine published a memorial issue, which included reminiscences from revered state leaders and noted personages. At the beginning of the issue was a commemorative article by Deng Yingchao, wife of late premier Zhou Enlai and a long-time friend of Soong Ching Ling.

I remember the winter of 1924 when you accompanied Dr. Sun Yat-sen to Tianjin on your journey to the north. You came up on the ship's deck to face the welcoming throng. I, standing among them, saw Dr. Sun, the great revolutionary forerunner and ceaseless fighter for the overthrow of the Qing dynasty monarchy and for independence, freedom and democracy in China, standing straight and firm, although age and illness already marked his face, warmly acknowledging the acclamations of the people. And on his right, I saw you -- erect, slim, graceful, young, beautiful, dignified, tranquil, inspired by revolutionary ideals. As an image of a young woman revolutionary, you remained clearly in my mind from then on.

In Beijing in 1925 you walked, dressed in mourning, in the funeral procession for Dr. Sun. Through your black veil I saw that you were not in tears but firmer than ever, full of inner strength. You passed the test of dire sorrow.

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From your youth you devoted yourself to the revolution. With regard to your marriage, you did not give way to the opposition of your whole family. Living in semi-feudal, semi-colonial old China, surrounded by such kin, exposed for long years to hostility and threats from the degenerated Kuomintang, you were able to fight on your own at the forefront of the battle. Your unyielding will, your unbreakable strength, your noble quality of remaining unsoiled amid the mire, has made you a true heroine of the people, a true heroine among women. Great revolutionary fighter! You are purer than the lotus, stronger than the pine. Comrade Zhou Enlai called you "the gem of the nation," and he was right.

(From "Salute to Comrade Soong Ching Ling" by Deng Yingchao, August 1981.)

Tangshan Earthquake

The year 1976 was indeed eventful. In July an earthquake sundered Tangshan into debris and deprived China of 240,000 lives. Tremors from this huge earthquake were also felt strongly in neighboring areas, including Beijing and Tianjin. The Chinese people suppressed their sorrow and worked tirelessly to rescue, help and comfort the survivors of this dreadful natural disaster. This magazine sent reporters to the ruins of Tangshan and reported what they saw to the world.

The violent 7.5 earthquake that hit the Tangshan-Fengnan area in Hebei province, North China, at 3:42 a.m. last July 28, caused great losses in life and property. Strong shocks were felt in Tianjin and Beijing.

......On July 30 a delegation of Central Committee and State Council leaders went to the areas separately in three subdivisions. With the direct concern of Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee, and with prompt assistance from the people of the entire country, the inhabitants of the disaster areas fought the results of the quake and began relief and rehabilitation work.

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Destruction was the greatest in the million-population city of Tangshan. The Tangshan prefectural and city Party committees and local army units immediately set up a command post for relief work. Leaders and workers of the area's factories and mines, including the Kailuan Coal Mines, Tangshan Iron and Steel Company, and Tangshan Power Plant rescued workers and their families and braved continued tremors to check installations and buildings. The great majority of the miners on night shift in the Kailuan Coal Mines under the city returned to the surface safely. Aid flowed in from all directions.

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In Beijing, a hundred miles away, the shock was lighter and damage slight. The municipal Party committee directed what relief and further precautionary measures were needed. The entire population quickly erected temporary shelters in the open. Water, electricity, coal and gas supplies were maintained without interruption. Communications and transport were kept open. People were able to buy food and daily necessities as usual.

(From "First Days After the Earthquake," October 1976.)

"First Love"

China Today has recorded the changes in Chinese people's attitude towards marriage and personal relationships.

Reform and opening up came quietly to China with the spring rain of 1978, foretelling the arrival of a new development period. This spring rain not only moistened the dry soil but also revitalized the thirsty hearts and humanity of the Chinese people. This magazine is one of the first few periodicals that reported on love after the "cultural revolution."

On July 26 last year the Peking Daily published a report entitled "Two Minds with the Same Ideals." It was a true story about Zhang Lihan and Wang Chengkuang, both workers in a parts factory. Response from readers both in and out of Beijing was immediate.

Communist Youth League members in the Electrical Appliances Factory in Peking asked Zhang Lihan to tell them more about her story......

Last autumn "The Position of Love," a short story by Liu Xinwu, published in the literary monthly October, drew even stronger reactions throughout the country.

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Young men and women all over the country wrote the papers and authors what they thought about the questions the story and Zhang Lihan's article raised. Below are excerpts from some of these letters:

Liu Shumin of the Peking Post and Telegraph Bureau wrote: "I read about love in stories when I was a child. I didn't understand much but I had a feeling it was something noble that brought happiness. But later I was told that love was something vulgar. One should never fall in love. Chang Li-han's story showed me what real love is."

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Chen Chieh-fang, an army man of the military sub-command in southern Gansu province: "Zhang Lihan and Wang Chengkuang's story tells us that love doesn't at all prevent young people from working well, but helps them mature properly. As Gorky once wrote, 'Without love, there will be no happiness. True love elevates the spirit and inspires people to work and live better.'"

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Recently, stories and plays about love have appeared one after another in Chinese newspapers, magazines, radio and television programs. They have received wide acclaim, especially from the young people. They demand that this should continue, in order to help restore love's proper place in people's minds and lives. Such favorable responses have naturally penetrated the Communist Youth League.

(From "Reevaluating Attitudes on Love" by Yu Yuwen, January 1979.)