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China officially mourns Deng Xiaoping
February 24, 1997
Web posted at: 11:30 p.m. EST (0430 GMT)In this story:
- Jiang promises to continue policy of openness
- White flowers, evergreens and three bows
- Police on patrol around Tiananmen Square
- Related stories and sites
BEIJING (CNN) -- China formally mourned paramount leader Deng Xiaoping on Tuesday with a restrained memorial attended by thousands of the nation's leaders.
People of all walks of life paused for three minutes at 10 a.m. (0200 GMT) as sirens sounded nationwide. Some 10,000 of the nation's elite, including Deng's family, gathered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
"Grieve in silence," Premier Li Peng said, calling the three minutes of mourning as the thousands of Communist Party and government leaders stood to attention, heads bowed.
The national anthem was played, and President Jiang Zemin, Deng's hand-picked heir as paramount leader, wiped his eyes with a handkerchief as he delivered a 50-minute eulogy.
"The Chinese people love Comrade Deng Xiaoping, thank Comrade Deng Xiaoping, mourn for Comrade Deng Xiaoping, and cherish the memory of Comrade Deng Xiaoping because he devoted his life-long energies to the Chinese people, performed immortal feats for the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation," Jiang said, his voice full of emotion.
Jiang promises to continue policy of openness
Jiang also vowed to continue Deng's market-oriented reforms and opening to the outside world that have transformed the nation and the future of 1.2 billion people.
"The decision to take economic construction as the center represents the most fundamental achievement made under Comrade Deng Xiaoping's leadership, in the effort to bring order out of chaos," Jiang said.
Describing reform as inevitable for China's modernization, Jiang pledged to follow Deng's master plan for reform, while adhering to socialist rule.
White flowers, evergreens and three bows
The memorial ended as the thousands of mourners gave three deep bows in unison, defying Deng's wishes that there be no such traditional shows of reverence. Jiang and other leaders then greeted Deng's widow and family.
Tuesday's memorial was largely a restrained affair, in keeping with a family request to honor Deng's wish for a simple ceremony. No dignitaries from other countries were invited.
The mourners wore dark suits or military uniforms, and many wore black armbands and single white flowers. Virtually everyone present, young and old, stood throughout.
The large hall was dominated by a huge picture of Deng, and the stage was covered with white flowers and evergreens. Deng's ashes sat in a casket cloaked by China's Communist Party flag. After the memorial, Deng's ashes were to be scattered at sea at his family's request.
Police on patrol around Tiananmen Square
The ceremony was held in the massive legislative building adjacent to Tiananmen Square, where the government sent troops to crush pro-democracy demonstrations in 1989.
China's flag has flown at half-staff since Deng's death Wednesday at age 92.
Police sealed off the square at the heart of Beijing early Tuesday. The 1989 demonstrations began with spontaneous protests after the death of ousted Communist Party head Hu Yaobang.
Crowds were kept back and police quickly quashed any attempts at spontaneous mourning, alert for any sign of emotion that could trigger unrest. An elderly couple walking around the square, saying that Deng had been a great man, were bundled into a police van after they attracted the attention of journalists.
All eight Chinese television channels broadcast the memorial live, and people gathered around televisions at stores, homes and even the trading floor of the Beijing commodities exchange.
Beijing Bureau Chief Andrea Koppel, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Expanded coverage:
World reaction Clinton reaction Deng's successors China's challenges China's milestones 1911-1989
Deng: One in a Billion Related stories:
- Thousands pay last respects to Deng Xiaoping - February 24, 1997
- Political tensions simmer as China prepares to cremate Deng - February 23, 1997
- Deng leaves legacy of reform -- and repression - February 22, 1997
- Deng's successors see U.S.-China relations differently - February 22, 1997
- After Deng, China still faces tough problems - February 21, 1997
- China mourns paramount leader - February 19, 1997
Related sites:
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- Inside China Today
- China News Services
- China.com
- People's Daily - official newspaper of the Communist Party of China
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