On the anniversary of Mao’s passing on September 9, people in Zhengzhou in China, would gather before Mao’s statue in the Zijinshan Square, to pay tribute to their great leader’s memory by laying wreaths or reciting poems. This year, too, there was a peaceful gathering for the same purpose on September 9. A local resident, Zhang Zhengyao, however, was taken into custody by plainclothes agents because of his distributing leaflets titled Mao Forever Our Leader — A statement in commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the Passing of Mao Zedong.

Next day, Zhengzhou City Police implicated and arrested three more persons : Wang Zhanqing for allegedly arranging the printing of the leaflets, Zhang Ruquan for writing the commemorative piece and Ms.Ge Liying for posting it on a Maoist website, Mao Zedong Flag.

A trial, originally scheduled for December 14, was held on December 21, albeit in a closed session, and not open to public, as originally announced. Zhang Zhengyao and Zhang Ruquan were tried; declared guilty, and each given three years imprisonment on December 24.

Despite the heavy snowfall, people moved to the city of Zhengzhou, from all over the country, in a spontaneous response to the news of the trial of Maoists in Zhengzhou, spread through leftist websites. Unorganized though, they came out of the deepest sense of loyalty to a socialist republic, concern for China and the most profound respect and love for their deceased leader and teacher, Chairman Mao Zedong, united by a common concern for justice. The accused resolutely refuted the charge made against them declaring they felt “immensely proud” “for being arrested for honouring the memory of Mao Zedong.” Chinese people in their support hailed them for their deeds. With indignation they asked : Why are they afraid of people paying tribute to Mao’s memory? On September 9, an old worker is arrested before Mao’s statue for an act in commemoration of the 28th anniversary of Mao’s passing; On December 21, a few days before Mao’s 111th birthday anniversary, he and others are tried in secrecy. What kind of signal is this ? Freedom-loving people of the world would like to add : What kind of signal, does this incident, completely blacked out by the bourgeois press, send to the world? Is it not the signal of the fact that in spite of frantic efforts on the part of the world reaction, Mao Zedong is far from being removed from the Chinese people’s heart? He resides there to inspire them to regroup themselves under the revolutionary leadership and rebuild their beloved country on greater strength of socialism, fighting out forces of counter revolution, as well as evils of modern revisionism and all bourgeois thoughts and processes.