(Broadcast on October 23, 2001)

On the morning of October 23, 2001, more than 300 former workers from the Daqing Blanket Factory once again gathered in front of the offices of Daqing's city government demanding to see the mayor. The workers wanted him to intervene and solve issues of unfair redundancy compensation and launch a thorough investigation into official corruption at all levels during the company's bankruptcy procedures two years ago. An eyewitness at the demonstration called in from the scene and we were able to record the workers playing the Internationale, shouting slogans demanding to see the mayor and then a violent intervention from the riot police.

(Recording begins)

Workers' slogans:

"One! Two! We want to see the mayor"

Eyewitness:

"The riot police have arrived, the workers are running and playing the Internationale on a cassette recorder. Clashes with the armed police are now taking place. [Loud screams from the women workers] The police have snatched the cassette recorder off the workers. A woman worker is being beaten by the police, and the police have smashed the casssette player. The workers are surrounding and protecting their representatives. A woman worker was beaten unconscious by the police. [The screaming becomes even more intense]. The police have put two workers in a police van and are still attacking the workers.

(Recording ends)

Some of the workers in the demonstration said:

"This society is finished"

"How can the police dare to attack and beat up people?”

"If they are going to arrest people, then let them arrest all of us"

Finally the workers were forced to leave the area by the police. Later on in the afternoon, I telephoned the city trade union offices and was told by an official that the union was busy in a meeting discussing structural reforms!

Trade Union:

The Blanket Factory?

Han Dongfang [Han]:

Correct!

Trade Union:

[The workers] petitioned at the city government.

Han:

This morning....

Trade Union:

No, nothing happened.

Han:

One of the workers telephoned us and said that the police were beating the workers and had arrested two of them. The workers were also playing a recording of the Internationale...

Trade Union:

(Laughing) I simply... I don't know anything about it. Maybe the government....I wasn't at the office anyway.

Han:

But hasn't this petition been going on for some time now?

Trade Union:

I thought the problems at the blanket factory had been solved. It was all sorted out in line with national regulations.

Han:

Sorting out what?

Trade Union:

I don't know much about this situation and we are in a meeting right now.

Han:

Can I talk to the union chairperson?

Trade Union:

He's not here right now. We are in the middle of structural reforms and have more or less shut down the union offices for the duration.

I again telephoned the offices of the secretary of the Daqing Party Committee.

Han:

This petition has been going on for over two years. Have you heard about it?

Party Committee:

Yes, we've heard about it. But I am not too sure on the details and couldn't say how to solve or deal with the problem. We...this matter... isn't the Complaints Office sorting it out?

Han:

The Complaints Office just processes and passes on information right? Wouldn't it be correct to say that it's the Party Committee and the government that actually make the decisions?

Party Committee:

Yes, that's right. The city government. Now we...it's the case that...we don't really know. We don't really know how to deal with this.

The general office of Daqing Party Committee then suggested I try the Compliants Office direct.

General Office:

Ask the Complaints Office. We don't know. When they come to the government with a petition, it's the Complaints Office that is assigned to deal with it. They met them. It’s their job.

I rang the Complaints Office. Please listen to the following conversation I had with the official who answered the phone.

Han:

Hello. Is that the Complaints Office?

Complaints Office:

Yes.

Han:

I just wanted to get some more information on the petition to the government by workers from the Daqing Blanket Factory.

Complaints Office:

What? How did you hear about it?

Han:

Some of the workers phoned me.

Complaints Office:

Some workers called you?

Han:

Correct.

Complaints Office:

How can you verify they were workers?

Han:

They told me they were workers.

Complaints Office:

You sure they weren't extremists?

Han:

What?

Complaints Office:

Were they extremists? I think the manner in which you have gathered this information might be via inaccurate channels.

Han:

Was there a petition this morning?

Complaints Office:

I’m not clear about that. Have you gathered this information might be via inaccurate channels?

Han:

I can't confirm their accuracy so I'm ringing your office to get a clearer picture.

Complaints Office:

Well if you are not sure about this information, then you should...you should...thank you! Thank you for your concern.

Han:

So can you confirm this morning's incident?

Complaints Office:

No.

Han:

You are definite nothing took place?

Complaints Office:

Nothing happened.

Han:

What's your name?

Complaints Office:

You've no business asking me my name!

Han:

Did the incident take place or not?

Complaints Office:

I don't know. So how are you going to get real information on this?

Han:

By asking you.

Complaints Office:

I may not have the real picture.

Han:

Then just tell me what you know about it.

Complaints Office:

I don't know anything about it.

Han:

Aren't you the Complaints Office?

Complaints Office:

No. Who told you this is the Complaints Office?

Han:

You did. You just told me that this was the Complaints Office.

Complaints Office:

What? Don't call this number again.

Han:

We want to get this broadcast out tonight. Do you know...

Complaints Office:

What! You are doing a broadcast.

Han:

So are the workers telling the truth or....

Complaints Office:

You don't have a clear picture of what happened, so how can you broadcast?

Han:

It is the afternoon at the moment and I just want to understand the situation. Did these workers come to the Complaints office and were any of them arrested?

Complaints Office:

The guy [who called you] is causing trouble. What did he tell you exactly?

Han:

They were playing the Internationale and shouting slogans...

Complaints Office:

Playing in the Internationale. That song again!

Han:

Yes.

Complaints Office:

[Laughing] When did you get this information?

Han:

This morning.

Complaints Office:

You are going to broadcast even though you are not clear on what happened... go ahead, say what you like. Whatever you want to broadcast, just broadcast!

Han:

I understood you were a serious department. This is not a joke.

Complaints Office:

Who is joking with you?

Han:

I rang you to try and find out more on this situation. Did any workers come with a collective petition? Did...

Complaints Office:

I... All I am saying is if you're going to broadcast tonight, then go ahead!

Han:

Well did...

Complaints Office:

You don't have accurate information and you are still going to broadcast. You...What kind of an approach is that?

Han:

Are you willing to confirm this incident took place?

Complaints Office:

I don't know what happened. [hangs up]