A Great Trial in Chinese History

Book excerpt: A Great Trial in Chinese History: The Trial of the Lin Biao and Jiang Qing Counter-Revolutionary Cliques, Nov. 1980 - Jan. 1981 focuses on the influence of the trial of the two cliques of Lin Biao and Jiang Qing on Chinese law, particularly the separation of criminal and political liabilities. The book first underscores the setting up of a Special Procuratorate and special court, defense lawyers, and start of trial and highlights of court investigation. Discussions focus on the framing and persecution of state chairman Liu Shaoqi, false charges against Premier Zhou Enlai, frame-ups by Jiang Qing, rebellion plot in Shanghai, and counter-revolutionary propaganda. The text then examines court debate, including the denial of Huang Yongsheng as the chief culprit, the request of Chen Boda for leniency, the silence of Zhang Chunqiao, and the guilty plea of Wang Hongwen. The publication takes a look at the judgment of the court, comments, and documents. Topics include articles of China's criminal law relevant to the judgment of the Lin-Jiang case; milestone in socialist democracy and socialist legality; and indictment of the Special Procuratorate under the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China. The manuscript is a vital source of data for historians and readers interested in the Lin Biao and Jiang Qing trial.