The Ninth Plenum of the 13th CPC Central Committee

After three years of investigation the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has decided to sustain the verdict in the case of former CPC General Secretary Zhao Ziyang and to put an end to the probe.

This decision was made at the 9th Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee  (held on October 5 to 9, 1992) shortly before the convening of the 14th Party Congress, and has ended speculation by the foreign media about Zhao's future. In a communique issued by the 9th Plenum, the Party Central Committee agreed to "maintain the conclusion reached by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee on Comrade Zhao Ziyang's mistakes." The Central Committee also decided to end the examination and investigation of Zhao's case.

Zhao was stripped of his leading position in the Chinese Communist Party three years ago, following the political disturbance of 1989. He was accused of "supporting the turmoil and splitting the Party" because of his reluctance to take a tougher stand with the student and civilian demonstrators in the streets of Beijing. Earlier he had held a number of important posts, including general secretary of the Party Central Committee and first vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission. In June 1989 he lost all positions and retained only his membership in the Party.

(NO. 42 OCTOBER 19, 1992, titled "Zhao's Case Brought to an End")