Chen Bilan (1902-1987) Chinese Trotskyist

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SOCIALIST ACTION NOVEMBER 1987 19 HAMPOINT 120 May 16 1807 {0 05 82 &88 INSIDE SOUTH AFRICA TURKEY Subscribe to International Viewpoint!

A biweekly magazine published under the auspices of the Fourth International.

Introductory sub: 3 issues for $3. Six-month subscription: $25. One-year subscription: $47. 3435 Army #308, S.F. CA 94110.

Chen Bilan, an early leader of the Communist Party of China and a Trotskyist militant, died on Sept. 7 at the age of 85. For over 60 years—like her lifecompanion Peng Shuzhi-she committed herself to the cause of the liberation of humanity.

Chen Bilan was converted to socialism soon after the May Fourth Movement of 1919. Three years later, she joined the Communist Party of China. In July 1926, she became acting secretary of the Department of Women of the Party Central.

After the strangling of the 1927 revolution by the Kuomintang, Chen Bilan and many other comrades came to learn of the differences between Trotsky and Stalin on the strategy for the Chinese Revolution. From their own experiences, they believed that Trotsky was correct in opposing the putschist adventurism of the time.

They requested that the Communist Party leadership initiate a review throughout the party of the reasons for the failure of the revolution. Not only was their proposal flatly rejected; they were also expelled from the party.

From 1929 onwards, Chen participated in the Chinese Trotskyist movement. During the resistance war against Japan, Chen Bilan and Peng Shuzhi remained in Shanghai to lead underground revolutionary work.

But the Communist Party persisted in a campaign of slander against the TrotChen and Peng felt compelled to go into exile.

U.S. Postal Servlce Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulatlon (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685).

1A. Tide of publication: Socialist Action. 1B. Publication no. 721090. 2. Date of filing: Sept. 28, 1987 3. Frequency of issue: Monthly. A) No. of published annually: 12. B) Annual subscription price: $6.00.

4. Complete mailing address of known office of publication:

Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543.

5. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business offices of the publisher: Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 941104543.

6. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, editor, and managing editor. Publisher: Socialist Action Publishing Association, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110 4543. Editor: Alan Benjamin, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543. Managing Editor: Don Mahoney, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110-4543.

7. Owner (if owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address, as well as that of each individual must be given. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, its name and address must be stated.): Socialist Action Publishing Association (unincorporated), 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110, Nat Weinstein and Carl Finamore, 3435 Army St., Suite 308, San Francisco, CA 94110.

Chen and Peng first went to Vietnam. After a comrade was murdered by the Vietnamese Stalinists, they feared for their lives and so went on to Europe.

In the 1960s, they lived in the United States.

The life of Chen Bilan was one of a proletarian revolutionary and a militant for women's liberation. Chen has left us, three years after her partner Peng Shuzhi. Yet, her example will inspire later generations, and her deeds will go down in history.Statement abridged from the October Review, Hong Kong 8. Known bondholders, morigagees, and other security bolders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities (if there are none, so state: None.

9. For completion by nonprofit organizations au thorized to mail at special rates (Section 423.12 DMM only): Does not apply.

10. Extent and nature of circulation Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months. A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 2,583. B. Paid and/or requested circulation (1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: 1076. (2) Mail subscriptions (Paid and/or requested: 715. C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (sum of 10B1 and 10B2): 1,791. D. Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means, samples, complimentary, and other free copies: 93. E. total distribution (Sum of C and D): 1,884. F. Copies not distributed (1) Office use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: 663. (2) Return from news agents: 36. O. Total (Sum of E, F1, and 2-should equal net press run shown in A): 2,583.

Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date. A. Total no. copies printed (net press run): 2,500. B. Paid and/or requested circulation (1) Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales: 990. (2) Mail subscription (Paid and/or requested): 753. C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (Sum of 10B1 and 10B2): 1,743. D. Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means, samples, complimetary, and other free copies: 14. E. Total distribution (Sum of C and D) 1,757. F. copies not distributed (1) Office use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: 743. (2) Return from news agents: O. G. Total (Sum of E, Fl and 2-should equal net press run shown in A): 2,500.

11.I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete.

(signed)

Don Mahoney Business Manager

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SociAList Action

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skyists. At the end of 1948, when the Communist Party was about to take power,