Chapter 8 1977 and 1978 in memory

1977 was a relatively quiet year for the guard compared to previous years.It is neither as violent as the "Lin Biao Incident" in 1971 nor as grand as it was to welcome Nixon and other Western state guests in 1972; nor is it as tense and vigilant as the security guards were when bad men broke into the embassy and the Minister of Public Security died in 1973 without knowing it. Nor did the guard work seem so busy in 1974 when foreign guests were welcomed and sent off frequently; neither did the security guards rejoice in 1975 when the diplomatic dawn in Southeast Asia was ushered in, nor were the security guards so sad, sad, and bewildered by the frequent occurrence of major incidents in 1976.Everything is done step by step and according to the rules.

This year, the Chinese people have just recovered from the pain of losing a great man. With Hua Guofeng and other party and state leaders welcoming and sending them off, the number of foreign guests has gradually increased.The visiting state guests include: Myanmar President U Ne Win, Mauritanian President Dadah, Guyana President Raymond Arthur Chung, Sudanese President Nimeiri, Congo President Goma, Lao People’s Revolutionary Party General Secretary and Prime Minister Kaishan Feng Weihan, President Tito of Yugoslavia, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cambodia and Prime Minister of the Democratic Kampuchea Government Pol Pot, Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Niger and Head of State Konche, President Maciere of Equatorial Guinea, President Ahijo of Cameroon, the Communist Party of Vietnam ( In 1976, it was changed from the Labor Party to the Communist Party) Le Duan, General Secretary of the Central Committee, Mintov, Prime Minister of Malta, etc.

At this year’s welcome state guest security mobilization meeting, the battalion and company leaders still introduced the personal situation of the visiting state guest and the situation of the country to the participating personnel based on the “Overview of Countries” (two volumes) published by the People’s Publishing House in 1972. .These two books have a total of 1174 pages. They not only introduce the general situation of each continent, but also introduce in detail the country name, area, population, capital, administrative division, head of state, head of government, major newspapers and news agencies, physical geography, history, and politics of all countries in the world. , economy, military, diplomacy, etc., especially the national flags drawn and the relations with China and other major powers introduced in the foreign affairs section of each country are refreshing.The book also briefly introduces international organizations and international conferences, which can be said to be a small encyclopedia for us to understand and master the situation of the country among the visiting state guests.It is very necessary for us to do a good job in foreign affairs security work.So that every soldier on duty knows what is happening to the visiting state guests and the national conditions of the visiting country and why.This is also a window for me to understand the world in the foreign affairs security work for many years, and I have a soft spot for it.

Among the above-mentioned state guests ushered in this year, the most prominent sign of welcome is that before each state guest comes to China, the national flags of the two countries are planted on the light poles in front of Tiananmen Square and on both sides of East and West Chang'an Avenue, and the two sides are used to display the national flags of the two countries. The hanging of colored flags, and the hanging of national flags and colored flags immediately added a strong welcoming atmosphere in front of Tiananmen Square and on Chang'an Avenue.We mainly set up the route checkpoints for visiting state guests in front of Tiananmen Square and the outer checkpoints when foreign leaders are participating in activities in the Great Hall.Because there are not too many welcome and security tasks this year, the normal sentry and temporary sentry personnel are not as stretched as before, and everything is relatively calm.

Among the visiting state guests this year, some of them are still vividly remembered, such as the military uniforms of Sudanese President Nimeiri and Nigerian Head of State Conche. Appears to be outstanding and extraordinary in appearance.Cameroonian President Ahidjo, with a dark face, wearing a long gown and an inverted ship-shaped hat, is a typical image of an African leader.Burmese President U Ne Win, Lao Prime Minister Phung Wihan, Yugoslav President Tito, Prime Minister Pol Pot of the Democratic Kampuchea Government, and Malta Prime Minister Mintov all left a deep impression on me. China and Myanmar are linked by mountains and rivers, and the traditional friendship has a long history.After U Ne Win came to power in 1962, he actively promoted Sino-Myanmar relations.Since the 1970s, the leaders of China and Myanmar have adopted a positive and pragmatic attitude to develop bilateral relations.As far as I was serving in the army, U Ne Win visited my country four times in 1971, 1975 and 1977 (twice in that year, one was a friendly visit to our country while abroad).It shows that the president attaches great importance to the development of China-Myanmar relations.I participated in his three visiting security missions, especially when he visited in 1975. He also visited the Chinese History Museum of our security guards. The distinctive Burmese national costumes, tall and clear figure, and a kind and friendly smile are my favorites for this man. A vivid memory of the elder president.

The general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (the People's Party before 1972) and the Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Keshan Fengweihan, visited China twice in 1976 and 1977. I participated in one of his visits to China, but because of Observing the security situation of the route, he has never seen his "true face of Mount Lu".But according to other comrades-in-arms on duty: Feng Weihan looks like a calm and experienced politician.Feng Weihan not only has a calm appearance, but also leads a relatively stable revolutionary movement.He joined the Communist Party of Indochina in 1946. In 1955, he was elected general secretary of the Lao People's Party and commander-in-chief of the Lao People's Liberation Army. On December 5, 1975, Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, and Chairman Zhu congratulated the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.Feng Weihan not only actively promotes the friendly relations between China and Laos.Even the Lao People's Revolutionary Party led by him has actively developed friendly relations with China during its more than 30 years of ruling party time. After his death, the successor communists still followed the road of friendship with China.Not only that, drastic changes took place in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party also withstood severe tests and shocks, adhered to the leadership of Marxism and the Communist Party, and maintained political and social stability. improved.It cannot but be said that Feng Weihan not only has a stable and superb strategy of governing the country, but also has a stable and extraordinary ability to govern the party and the country.

The President of Yugoslavia and General Secretary of the Yugoslav Communist Party Central Committee Tito visited China from the end of August to the beginning of September 1977. This was the only visit in his life.Our country attaches great importance to Tito's visit to China, and we can deeply feel the importance of this security mission just from the large number of security forces (including plainclothes guards) sent by our troops on both sides of Chang'an Avenue.Therefore, all the officers on duty strictly observed and inspected the security area they were in charge of, not letting go of any clues until Tito's convoy passed safely.In addition, Hua Guofeng held talks with Tito in the Great Hall of the People many times, and we also know that Tito's visit to China is extraordinary from our participation in many meetings.Another thing, I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, or whether it’s a clever arrangement between China and South Africa on the timing of Tito’s visit to China, that is, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall was just completed on August 30 of this year, so it was convenient for Tito to visit China on that day.The leader of the Non-Aligned Movement got his wish and saw Chairman Mao's remains on August 31.Because my company was on duty not long ago at the south gate outside the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and outside the south and eastern pine walls, and because Tito was the first foreign president to pay homage to Chairman Mao’s remains, on this day, my company followed the request of the superior, A temporary detachment with squad leaders and experienced veterans as the main body was dispatched to be responsible for the security work when Tito paid his respects to Chairman Mao's remains.This high-standard arrangement of security personnel really came in handy, because there was a huge group of reporters accompanying Tito's visit. As soon as they arrived in front of the memorial hall, in order to occupy a favorable position for shooting, some ran into the restricted area, and some climbed up the lantern pole In the face of these unruly reporters, our security personnel were momentarily confused.However, based on years of experience in foreign affairs activities, while negotiating with relevant personnel, dissuading them, and pointing out favorable locations for them, these reporters were quickly withdrawn from places not allowed by our side and re-selected. After finding the position he was satisfied with, they all captured Tito's solemn expression as he walked slowly up the steps to enter the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.

China and Yugoslavia established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in 1955. After 1958, there was a debate between China and South Africa, and the relationship between the two parties was interrupted. In 1968, the Soviet Union invaded the Czech Republic, and Sino-South African relations gradually improved. In 1975, Prime Minister South Korea visited China and was received by Chairman Mao.Tito's visit to China has further strengthened the relationship between the two parties and the two countries and entered a new historical period looking forward. Tito was an "iron-fisted" leader with high prestige in Yugoslavia. During World War II, Tito led the Communist Party of Yugoslavia to fight arduously against the German and Italian fascists and finally won.When I watched Yugoslav movies and "Walter Defends Sarajevo" and other films in 1975, I had a deep respect for Tito and the heroic Yugoslav people.After Tito's death, Hua Guofeng, then Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Premier of the State Council, led a Chinese party and government delegation to attend Tito's funeral in Yugoslavia from May 6 to 9, 1980. The highest-level delegation sent to the funeral shows the importance my country attaches to Tito and China-South Africa relations.

From September 28 to October 4, 1977, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cambodia and Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot led a party and government delegation to visit my country.I remember that he visited North Korea during this visit, and after his visit to North Korea, he continued his visit in China from October 8 to 22.It is said that Pol Pot only visited China and North Korea during his administration.During his visit to China, Pol Pot also paid homage to Chairman Mao's remains, and we did strict security work for Pol Pot along the way he passed through Tiananmen Square and visited Chairman Mao's remains during his stay in China.

Pol Pot was a very mysterious figure. Apart from the fact that he rarely went abroad, there was also the reason why he did not disclose his whereabouts to the outside world.When I was in the army, I knew a lot about Prince Sihanouk and the Cambodian National Unity Government Prime Minister Bin Nu, Deputy Prime Minister Khieu Samphan and the domestic special envoy Insali under the leadership of Prince Sihanouk. Little is known about the Cambodian Communist Party headed by Secretary Pol Pot and the National Liberation Army under its leadership.It was later learned that Pol Pot was born in a well-to-do peasant family. He joined the French Communist Party in Paris in 1951 and became the general secretary of the Cambodian Communist Party in 1962.He once followed Ho Chi Minh, admired Stalin, and Mao Zedong.In the war against the United States, he led the National Liberation Army of the Cambodian Republic to occupy Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Two days later, he occupied the entire territory of Cambodia and defeated the Lon Nol Group supported by the United States. First to win the War of Resistance Against the U.S. and the National Salvation. On January 5, 1976, Democratic Kampuchea under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cambodia was established, with Pol Pot as the prime minister.During the Cold War, it can be said that Pol Pot was a Bolshevik with a firm political stance and a simple life.However, after he came to power in 1975, he immediately transformed Cambodia according to his very left-leaning vision, driving urban residents to the countryside, abolishing currency, confiscating private property, not allowing religious beliefs, and building collective farms, trying to turn Cambodia into a A "utopia" branded as a peasant.Pol Pot's radical approach resulted in the death of large numbers of Cambodians through executions, disease and starvation. On January 7, 1979, with the support of Vietnam, anti-government forces captured Phnom Penh and overthrew the democratic Kampuchea government led by Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouge regime collapsed after only three years and eight months.Pol Pot and all his troops once again entered the jungle on the Cambodian border to fight guerrillas. On April 16, 1998, Pol Pot died of a heart attack at the age of 72.

Maltese Prime Minister Mintov visited China three times from April 2 to 8, 1972, January 7 to 10, 1975, and November 3 to 7, 1977. I participated in his two visits to China The guard, the leader of a European country who looks like a Chinese left a very unique impression on me.The Republic of Malta is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a pearl in the Mediterranean Sea and is closer to Italy.Its area is only 316 square kilometers, with a population of about 400,000. The land area and population are only as large as a small county in China.I remember the first time the leader of the company introduced the country's national conditions to the officers and soldiers who were transferred to serve as guards for Mintov's visit to China. Many soldiers couldn't help laughing when they heard that the country was so small and the population was so small.Even so, everyone was vigilant and meticulously completed the security tasks for Mintov's three visits.It is such a small country’s prime minister. Zhou Enlai, the prime minister of China as a big country, treats him equally and resolutely implements Chairman Mao’s foreign policy that all countries, big or small, are equal. Tove held talks and accompanied Mintov to visit Nanjing, Guangzhou and other places until seeing him off back home.It was during his serious illness that he met Mintov, who was visiting China for the second time, in the hospital.In just over five years, Mintov visited China three times, which also deeply reflected the deep friendship of the island country's prime minister to the Chinese people. From August 12 to 19, 1977, the Eleventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing.During the convening of the congress, our company focused on strengthening the security forces of the three commanding height posts adjacent to the great hall, and made substantial adjustments to the relevant ground posts, and did careful and meticulous security work for the smooth holding of the 11th National Congress. Another major event in this year is the construction and completion of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.Since the foundation stone of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall was laid on November 24, 1976, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, with Gu Mu and Li Ruihuan as the commanders-in-chief, tens of thousands of workers, cadres, farmers, technicians and PLA commanders and fighters are full of deep love for the great leader Mao Zedong. Revolutionary feelings, hard work, hard work, and skillful work day and night, it took only 4 months to complete the main building structure of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall on March 27, 1977. Such high-speed, high-quality construction is a milestone in the history of Chinese architecture. Miracle.Since the construction site of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is within the security area of ​​our company, our company sent soldiers to be responsible for the security of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall construction site from the very beginning.At that time, the walls were surrounded by wooden boards more than 2 meters high, and only a few gates were left for easy passage. High-quality building materials shipped from all over the country were piled up in an orderly manner, and the lights were brightly lit at night, and construction continued.Representatives from all walks of life in the capital took turns to participate in voluntary labor at the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, including famous heroes, models and famous artists.When digging the foundation of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, there was a kind of misinformation in the society at that time.That is, when the foundation was dug to form a deep pit, some old buildings buried in the ground, probably from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, were dug out.At this time, a batch of gold ingots happened to be transported from nowhere to the People’s Bank of China’s vault, which was guarded by my company at that time. At that time, the delivery of gold ingots was strictly confidential. And I didn't know what to do beforehand.The vehicles responsible for escorting the gold ingots belonged to a company, and each vehicle was armed with three soldiers; the soldiers from another company of our battalion were responsible for unloading the gold ingots into the underground vault; Squad fighters (this is their normal whistle).After the heavy gold ingots were unloaded and piled up, the soldiers were so tired that their waists and backs ached. The People's Bank of China gave them a good meal in order to thank the trustworthy guards and soldiers.Probably the People's Bank of China, which is located on the west side of Tiananmen Square, is too close to the construction site of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, so the gold ingots being transported were misrepresented as dug out from the ground during the repair of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.In fact, this is my country's normal treasury gold ingot storage. On August 30, the magnificent Chairman Mao Memorial Hall was completed.The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, located between the Monument to the People's Heroes and Zhengyangmen, is magnificent and solemn.The Memorial Hall is composed of the North Hall, the Hall of Admiration and the South Hall.The north hall is the place to commemorate Chairman Mao. In the hall, there is a 3-meter-high sitting statue of Chairman Mao made of white marble. In the middle of the worship hall, there is a crystal clear crystal coffin. Chairman Mao's stalwart body lies peacefully in the coffin. People pay homage to Chairman Mao's remains here; the white marble wall on the north side of the South Hall is engraved with the words "Manjianghong and Comrade Guo Moruo" written by Mao Zedong himself. On September 9, the meeting to commemorate the first anniversary of Chairman Mao's death and the inauguration ceremony of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall was held outside the north gate of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, Deng Xiaoping, Li Xiannian, Wang Dongxing and other party and state leaders attended the ceremony.Hua Guofeng made a speech.After the inauguration ceremony of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, party and state leaders paid homage to Chairman Mao's remains.Our company dispatched capable cadres and soldiers from various platoons to participate in the security work of the inauguration ceremony of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and successfully completed the task. In late April 1978, I was demobilized and returned home.In the first four months of this year, I even participated in the important security work of the First Session of the Fifth National People's Congress.And participated in the security missions of French Prime Minister Raymond Barr, Thai Prime Minister Jiang Sa, Somali President Siad and other foreign leaders visiting China.The last post I stood on was the south gate post of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and I still have a fresh memory of this post.