CHINA: PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN FLOODS SPEECH

(28 Sep 1998) Mandarin/Nat

In a rousing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday, Chinese President Jiang Zemin hailed what he is calling the country's great victory over this summer's devastating flooding.

President Jiang used the floods stress the continuing importance of the leadership of the communist party and to glorify the People's Liberation Army (P-L-A).

The speech came just two days before China's National Day on the 1st of October.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in the capital, Beijing, that the flood fighting and disaster relief has been crowned with a complete victory.

A session to honour the struggle against the floods took place in the historic Great Hall of The People.

In front of an audience of thousands, the president said it marked yet another great achievement of the Chinese people that attracted world-wide attention.

He characterised the fight against the summer's devastating floods in the centre and north of the country as a great patriotic struggle.

The president said the struggle was one which had united the Chinese populace and brought a great victory to the Chinese nation.

In a speech heavily laced with nationalistic slogans and ideology, Jiang praised China's socialist system.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"Under the socialist system, our people who are the masters of the country, have a strong sense of responsibility and spirit of dedication. As there is no conflict of fundamental interest of the country and the people. This is where the political superiority of China's socialist system lies."
SUPER CAPTION: Jiang Zemin, President, People's Republic of China

But more than anything else President Jiang's speech was an opportunity for China's communist party leadership to claim credit for itself.

His used the speech to build up the image of the Party and the People's Liberation Army.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"The Party remains committed to serving the people heart and soul. The political nature of the People's Liberation Army has not changed. The P-L-A is still a revolutionary army under the absolute leadership of the Party. The Chinese people's adherence to their fine traditions has not changed. These have not, will not and shall never be changed. With such a Party such and army and such a people, we can create miracles in the world"
SUPER CAPTION: Jiang Zemin, President, People's Republic of China

But Jiang made little mention to the causes behind the disaster.

Massive deforestation and silting of rivers, seen by many experts as a major cause of China's flooding, were only touched upon briefly.

It was instead characterised as a natural disaster.

Jiang added it was one that has only served to unite the Chinese people, and prepare them better for the next time disaster strikes.

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