CHINA: Chopping Off the Rat's Tail

New purges reinforce Teng's power

For several months, wall posters in China's capital have been attacking Peking Mayor Wu Teh—most significantly as the RAT'S TAIL OF THE GANG OF FOUR. That menacing epithet suggested that the mayor would soon follow Chiang Ch'ing, Chairman Mao Tse-tung's widow, and her radical Gang of Four into political disgrace. Last week the writing on the wall was confirmed when Wu, 68, was replaced by Lin Hu-chia, the mayor of Tientsin. Although Wu will retain his seat in the 23-man ruling Politburo, Chinese officials said that he will be...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!