BEIJING : A Political Sweep

Millions of Chinese honor their ancestors Wednesday by sweeping their tombs and planting trees on the first day of the annual Qing Ming (“Clear Bright”) festival.

Qing Ming historically has also been a time for letting off political steam. On April 5, 1976, for example, thousands of Chinese gathered in Beijing’s central Tian An Men Square to honor the late Chinese Premier Chou En-lai, who died in January that year. Ten thousand wreaths were placed in the square. But another purpose of the mourners was to register their frustration with the excesses of the 10-year Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.

Ever wary that the annual “grave-sweeping day” will be used for political ends, the Chinese Public Security Bureau routinely dispatches police and agents to graveyards.