Chronicle · Timeline of history and truth

Hu Liren witnessed an American diplomat filming the school with a video camera while in middle school in Shanghai

1979.10 ·Reported ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Shanghai

Host Hu Liren recalled that in October 1979, when he was in the first year of junior high in Shanghai, he saw a Shanghai municipal government reception car drive into the school. A young American diplomat was filming the school with a handheld video camera and said it was for his mother to see. This reflected the beginning of the thaw in Sino‑American relations and an early sign of China’s opening to the outside world.

Wen Gang's Rehabilitation and the Revocation of the Opinion on Restricting His Use

1979.06.26 ·Verified ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Tianjin

On June 26, 1979, the "Opinion on Restricting the Use of Wen Gang" was formally revoked and Wen Gang was rehabilitated.

In 1979, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, requiring presidential and congressional consultation for diplomatic recognition of Taiwan

1979.04 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·Washington, United States

After the Carter administration severed diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and terminated the Mutual Defense Treaty in 1979, the U.S. Congress drew up the Taiwan Relations Act within two to three months, stipulating as domestic law that diplomatic recognition of Taiwan must be jointly negotiated by the President and Congress, and the Carter administration was forced to sign it. Senator Barry Goldwater raised a challenge over the constitutionality of the procedure for terminating the Mutual Defense Treaty, but the court declined to hear it.

Deng Xiaoping Proposes the Four Cardinal Principles

1979.03.30 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 4 ·China

In March 1979, Deng Xiaoping proposed the Four Cardinal Principles, explicitly rejecting the direction of political democratization reform.

Deng Xiaoping Introduces the Four Cardinal Principles

1979.03.30 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

To prevent national development from being overemphasized to the point of subverting the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Deng Xiaoping introduced the Four Cardinal Principles, emphasizing the leadership position of the CCP.

Teresa Teng Denied Entry to Japan and Deported While Holding an Indonesian Passport

1979.02 ·Verified ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Tokyo, Japan

When Teresa Teng entered Tokyo, Japan, using an Indonesian passport, she was detained by Japanese police and taken to the Immigration Bureau. The Japanese authorities determined that the issuance procedure was improper, deported her, and banned her from entering Japan for one year.

President Carter Hosts Deng Xiaoping and Madame Zhuo Lin at the White House

1979.01.29 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 2 ·Washington

President Jimmy Carter hosted then-Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping and his wife Zhuo Lin. First Lady Rosalynn Carter meticulously prepared a bilingual Chinese-English calligraphy menu and a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Deng Xiaoping Visits the United States and Launches Reform and Opening Up

1979.01.28 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·United States

In 1979, Deng Xiaoping visited the United States at the invitation of US President Carter. The Chinese Communist Party subsequently carried out authoritarian reform for self-preservation, namely reform and opening up, in an attempt to defuse the crisis of an empty state and exhausted people.

Xi Jinping and Bo Xilai Meet by Chance in Beijing's Yuanyuan Tan Park and Have Their First In-depth Conversation

1979 ·Reported ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Beijing, China

In the spring of 1979, Xi Jinping and Bo Xilai met by chance in Beijing's Yuanyuan Tan Park. The two recalled their respective difficult experiences, and Bo Xilai even took Xi Jinping to a gathering of princelings.

Xi Jinping Married Ke Lingling

1979 ·Reported ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

In 1979, Xi Jinping married Ke Lingling, the daughter of Ke Hua, the then Chinese Ambassador to the UK. This was a political marriage between red families.

The United States Severed Diplomatic Relations with Taiwan and Established Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China

1979.01.01 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 5 ·United States

The United States ended its diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

War Breaks Out Between China and Vietnam

1979 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 4 ·China

In 1979, war broke out between China and Vietnam. Yu Maochun said that this war stemmed from an ideological dispute and was not inevitably connected with territorial integrity; the territories occupied by the Chinese Communist Party were ultimately vacated willingly.

Artillery War Along the China-Vietnam Border Lasted Over Ten Years from 1979 to 1991

1979 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 2 ·中越边境

From 1979 to 1991, artillery exchanges continued along the China-Vietnam border, with millions of shells fired into Vietnamese territory.

In 1979, after Khomeini allied with the Communist Party of Iran to seize power, he carried out a massive purge of the left

1979 ·Reported ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Iran

During the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Khomeini formed a united front with leftists, liberals and communists to overthrow the Pahlavi dynasty; after seizing power, he gradually marginalized and purged the communists, and around 1983 he massively banned the leaders of the Communist Party of Iran, establishing a theocratic regime.

Deng Xiaoping Comes to Power and Leads Reform and Opening-Up

1978.12.18 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·China

In late 1978, Deng Xiaoping came to power, establishing a departure from Mao Zedong's line and initiating reform and opening-up.

Deng Xiaoping Used "Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" to Seize Power

1978.05.11 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

By emphasizing that "practice is the sole criterion for testing truth," Deng Xiaoping defeated Hua Guofeng and established a governing philosophy centered on economic development.

The Chinese Communist Party Launches the Great Debate on the Criterion of Truth

1978.05 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

On May 11, 1978, Guangming Daily published “Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth,” sparking the great debate on the criterion of truth centered on “practice is the sole criterion for testing truth” and the “Two Whatevers,” which became an important controversy in the Chinese Communist Party’s shift in line.

Han Xiu Rescued by the U.S. State Department and Returns to the United States

1978.01 ·Reported ·Importance IV ·Sources 3 ·China

Han Xiu, a Chinese-language writer holding U.S. citizenship who had remained in China for about 30 years, returned to the United States in January 1978; she claimed to be the first among U.S. citizens who had remained in mainland China after 1949 to return to the United States, and she received assistance from the State Department.

Carter Warns China to Return American Citizens, Otherwise Diplomatic Relations Will Not Be Discussed

1978.01 ·Reported ·Importance IV ·Sources 3 ·United States

Han Xiu said that after she returned to the United States, President Carter instructed the State Department to send a strong notice to the Chinese government, pointing out that it had denied more than a hundred times during the Warsaw talks that American citizens were stranded in China, and insisting that American citizens be returned before talks on establishing diplomatic relations.

In 1978, Song Jian, Tian Xueyuan and others calculated that China's population would reach 4.264 billion by 2080 and proposed a population cap of 650 to 700 million

1978 ·Reported ·Importance IV ·Sources 3 ·China

In 1978, after missile expert Song Jian went abroad for exchanges, he and Tian Xueyuan and others used mathematical models to calculate, claiming that if China did not control its population, it would reach 4.264 billion by 2080; Tian Xueyuan also proposed that China's population ceiling should be 650 million to 700 million, providing a basis for family planning.

Zhu Rongji Restores Party Membership in the Nationwide Rehabilitation of 1978

1978 ·Reported ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

In 1978, Hu Yaobang presided over nationwide rehabilitation, and Zhu Rongji had his Party membership restored in this process. He was then transferred to work at the Institute of Industrial Economics by his former superior Ma Hong, who had been appointed director of the institute.

Hu Yaobang Appointed Minister of the Organization Department and Promoted the Correction of Unjust, False, and Wrong Cases

1977.12 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

After Hu Yaobang became Minister of the Organization Department, he proposed seeking truth from facts to correct untrue statements and incorrect conclusions.

Over 100 Hong Kong Police Storm ICAC Headquarters, Prompting an Amnesty

1977.10.28 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Hong Kong

On October 28, 1977, over 100 Hong Kong police officers, dissatisfied with investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, stormed its headquarters and injured personnel; Governor Murray MacLehose ultimately announced an amnesty for old cases of corruption that had not been investigated before January 1, 1977.

Hua Guofeng Proposed and Upheld the "Two Whatevers"

1977.02.07 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

On February 7, 1977, People's Daily published an editorial titled "Study the Documents Well and Grasp the Key Link," which stated, "We resolutely uphold all policy decisions made by Chairman Mao; we unswervingly follow all instructions given by Chairman Mao." This later became known as the "Two Whatevers," and Hua Guofeng was accused of adhering to this principle.

Zha Jianying Admitted to the Chinese Department of Peking University

1977 ·Verified ·Importance I ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

After the restoration of the gaokao in 1977, Zha Jianying was admitted to the Chinese Department of Peking University, and in 1981, during her senior year, she went to the United States to study.

China Restores the Gaokao in 1977

1977 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

After Mao Zedong's death, in 1977, with the support of Deng Xiaoping and Hu Yaobang, China restored the gaokao (college entrance exam), allowing many children of families persecuted during the Cultural Revolution to change their fate through the exam. Subsequently, in the 1980s, overseas scholarships and government-sponsored study abroad programs emerged, and large numbers of Chinese students went to the United States for further studies.

In 1977, Deng Xiaoping transferred the affiliation of the Central Guard Regiment from the General Office to the CCP Central Military Commission

1977 ·Reported ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

After Deng Xiaoping returned to power in 1977, he had Luo Ruiqing, Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, transfer the affiliation of the Central Guard Regiment from the General Office of the CCP Central Committee to the CCP Central Military Commission, incorporating it into the Guard Bureau of the General Staff Department, and recalled Zhou Enlai's old chief guard, Yang Dezhong, back to Beijing to take charge of the Guard Bureau. From then on, the Director of the General Office no longer controlled this unit.

Xia Junfeng Was Born in Tieling, Liaoning

1976.12.11 ·Verifying ·Importance III ·Sources 2 ·Tieling, Liaoning

Xia Junfeng was a native of Tieling County, Liaoning, and came to Shenyang to make a living by running a street stall with his wife; his exact date of birth, December 11, 1976, and his experience of being laid off from a factory could not be verified.

The Gang of Four Detained by the Central Guard Bureau at the Huirentang

1976.10.06 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·Beijing

After Mao Zedong's death, the Central Guard Bureau under Wang Dongxing's control arrested the Gang of Four overnight at the Huirentang, testing the multiplication logic of absolute control over guards and personnel at the core of power.

Hua Guofeng Becomes the Chinese Communist Party's Top Leader After Mao Zedong's Death

1976.10.06 ·Verified ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

After Mao Zedong died in September 1976, Hua Guofeng, together with Ye Jianying and others, smashed the Gang of Four on October 6, and was elected Chairman of the CCP Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission that same night; earlier, on April 30, Mao Zedong had written for him: "You handle it, I'm at ease."

Hua Guofeng served simultaneously as Chairman of the CCP Central Committee, Premier of the State Council, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission

1976.10.06 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 3 ·China

After 1976, Hua Guofeng served simultaneously as Chairman of the CCP Central Committee, Premier of the State Council, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Central Guard Regiment Arrests the Gang of Four in October 1976

1976.10 ·Reported ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·Beijing

In October 1976, the operation to arrest the Gang of Four inside Zhongnanhai was carried out by the Central Guard Regiment (Unit 8341), with Zhang Yaoci leading dozens of guard soldiers to carry it out; at the time Wang Dongxing concurrently served as director of the CCP Central Committee General Office and head of the Guard Bureau.

Mao Zedong's Death: Memorial Activities Held Across China

1976.09.09 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 3 ·Shanghai

On September 9, 1976, Mao Zedong passed away. Newspapers across the country reported his death with black borders and large-scale memorial activities were held. The grassroots society was plunged into an extreme political atmosphere, with the public required to participate in collective mourning. Those with problematic family backgrounds faced severe political suppression during this period.

Mao Zedong Dies, Author Turns 10

1976.09.09 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·China

The author turned 10 years old on September 9, 1976, the same day Mao Zedong passed away. He recalls that after Mao's death, he could no longer celebrate his birthday. He describes the societal reaction to Mao's passing, including official media's mourning and some citizens' expressions of grief.

Mao Zedong passed away in Beijing

1976.09.09 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 3 ·Beijing

Mao Zedong passed away on September 9, 1976.

Mao Zedong's Death Ends His Period of Personal Rule

1976.09.09 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 3 ·China

Mao Zedong died in Beijing on September 9, 1976, after which China ended the period of Mao Zedong's personal rule.

Memorial Activities for Mao Zedong Held Across China

1976.09 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·China

After the death of Mao Zedong, memorial services and commemorative gatherings were held across China, with schools and community organizations mobilizing the public to take part in mourning activities.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, Hebei Province

1976.07.28 ·Verified ·Importance V ·Sources 2 ·Tangshan, Hebei

In the early morning of July 28, 1976, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan, Hebei Province, causing massive casualties and property damage.

China's Economy Fell into Serious Difficulties After the Cultural Revolution

1976 ·Reported ·Importance IV ·Sources 2 ·China

In October 1976, the ten-year-long Cultural Revolution ended with the "downfall of the Gang of Four"; the prolonged political campaigns had a severe impact on China's economy.

A disgraced intellectual school worker at the author's elementary school was rehabilitated after Mao Zedong's death and became principal

1976 ·Reported ·Importance I ·Sources 3 ·Shanghai

When the author was in elementary school in Shanghai, a school worker who had barely spoken for five years was actually a principal-level senior intellectual who had been purged elsewhere; after Mao Zedong's death in 1976, this person was rehabilitated and took up the post of principal.

Massive Flood Caused by the Yellow River Course Change in Henan, Resulting in Large Numbers of Casualties

1975.08 ·Reported ·Importance III ·Sources 3 ·Henan

In 1975, a massive flood occurred in Henan due to water conservancy issues and a change in the course of the Yellow River, causing a large number of deaths, and the government lacked public reporting on it for a long time.

Baozi entered the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University as a worker‑peasant‑soldier student

1975 ·Reported ·Importance II ·Sources 1 ·Beijing

Baozi entered the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University as a worker‑peasant‑soldier student to study.

The Khmer Rouge Caused the Deaths of Large Numbers of Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia

1975 ·Reported ·Importance III ·Sources 2 ·Cambodia

While the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge was in power in Cambodia, the local ethnic Chinese population plummeted from 430,000 to just over 210,000, and at the time its biggest backer was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Hong Kong Governor Murray MacLehose Establishes the Independent Commission Against Corruption

1974.02 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Hong Kong

In February 1974, Governor of Hong Kong Murray MacLehose established the Independent Commission Against Corruption, directly responsible to the Governor, specifically to combat the severe corruption in the Hong Kong police force and society.

1974 Paracel Islands Naval Battle: China Defeats South Vietnam and Seizes the Paracels

1974 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 2 ·西沙群岛

In 1974, the Chinese navy fought the South Vietnamese navy and seized control of the Paracel Islands.

Hong Kong Police Chief Superintendent Godber Flees to the UK over Suspected Corruption of HK$4.3 Million

1973 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Hong Kong

In 1973, the property under the name of Peter Godber, Chief Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force, exceeded HK$4.3 million. After the ordinance of the Independent Commission Against Corruption required him to explain the source of his wealth, he fled back to Britain, sparking anti-corruption protests among the Hong Kong public.

Taiwan Launched the Ten Major Construction Projects Due to the Oil Crisis

1973 ·Verified ·Importance III ·Sources 1 ·Taiwan

After the 1973 international oil crisis broke out, the dividends of Taiwan's traditional economic model came to an end. The Chiang Ching-kuo government turned to issuing government bonds to launch the Ten Major Construction Projects, which subsequently led to the birth of the Hsinchu Science Park and TSMC.

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