Purging 'capitalist roaders' (foreigners) living in China

Pages 231-232

What is a ‘capitalist roader’?

A term used to describe anyone perceived as clinging onto a capitalist mindset

How were ‘capitalist roaders’ attacked in urban areas? What damage did this cause to industrial production?

Staff of practically every factory, office, shop and school were subjected to scrutiny, in case their background or lifestyle could be considered bourgeois.

The disruption caused to working life led to a serious fall in industrial production which was down by 13% in 1967.

What was the ‘cleansing of class ranks’ campaign in the countryside? How many deaths did it account for?

Developed by the CCRG in 1968 the campaign involved committees being set up across the country to eradicate all signs of capitalism.

It accounted for over 100,000 deaths.

What was the ‘one strike and three antis’ campaign in 1970?

It was launched to remove all attitudes that were preventing economic progress until Mao intervened to halt it in 1971.

Between 1968 and 1971 violence was at it’s peak in rural counties.

What happened to foreign embassies and their staff?

They were attacked by the Red Guards while the police stood aside in contravention of all the normal codes of diplomacy.

In August 1967, a mob of Red Guards broke into the British Embassy in Beijing, physically attacking staff.

What happened at the Chinese Embassy in London’s Portland Square 1 week after the events at the British Embassy in China?

Staff poured out armed with sticks and machetes to stage a demonstration against the continued British control of Hong Kong.

How many other countries experienced violent incidents involving Chinese Militants?

30 countries.

Embassies and staff of 10 other countries came under attack (India, France, Russia, Holland… etc)

Britain in particularly targeted due to British control of Hong Kong.