Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0 Zha, Draft 13-Feb-90 page 13 West, the Chinese have retained their own essentially unitary view of nature and have no philosophic quarrel with parapsychology in their traditions. This may be the key to the large difference between the prevalence and magnitude of psi effects in China and in Western laboratories. Western parapsychologists may be unknowing victims of their cultural heritage. Chinese researchers have been very successful in presenting psi through qigong and Tradi- tional Chinese Medicine as something with distinctive Chinese national characteristics, a field of study in which China could lead global efforts and reflect the glory of its brilliant culture. Most Party leaders seem to believe so. Currently, researchers do not usually experience much trouble from political or ideological directions. After the June, 1989, events, reports concerning qigong and EFHB studies have increased to a rate of about six per month in the People’s Daily, the main official newspaper. A second International Qigong Convention (along with "The First National Old People’s Qigong Study Convention") was held 10-15 September 1989 in Xian, the ancient Capital city of Shaanxi Province. More than 600 papers were exhibited, of which 70 percent were from univer- sities and other scientific research units. This dual convention attracted qigong enthusiasts from all over the country and, as in the 1988 convention, many scientifically dubious activities took place in the anterooms and on the streets (Huang, Wang, & Wei, 1989). A “World Medical Qigong Institute" with members ranging over 20 countries was formed in November, 1988, with "Mr, Xi Zhongxun, vice-chairman of the China’s People’s Congress Standing Committee, and Mr. Chui Yueli, former minister of the Department of Medicine, as Honorary Chairman and Chair- man, respectively (Feng, 1989). At this time, the "Second National Conference of the Chinese Society of Somatic Science" was held (separately from the International Qigong Convention) on November 14 to 17 in Beijing with an attendance of about 250. Opening remarks were given by Mr. Zhang Zhenhuan the chairman of the CSSS, whom we had mentioned earlier as an interested military officer. After two plenary sessions, the conference divided into separate physical and medical sections of three sessions each. The conference rejoined in a closing plenary session to hear an address by Profes- sor Chen Hsin, whom we have identified above as having represented the SMEI at the para- psychological convention at Cambridge University in 1982. Evidently the senior leaders of China, now firmly in power, are favorable to the public study of gigong and related EFHB. It is ironic that Mr. Yu Guangyuan, the one who opposed psi most strongly in 1981, is currently criticized in newspapers for his ‘capitalistic’ economic conduct in the reform movement in the late 1980’s and for his political association with Zhao Ziyang, Hu Yaobang’s ill-fated successor. Judging from the favorable publicity he has received in the People’s Daily, Dr’ Qian Xuesen, on the other hand, retains his position of scientific pre- emihence (Yu & Shu, 1989). For a Western parapsychologist all of this Chinese activity could be both encouraging and — disturbing. Given the nature of psi, it is inevitable in any culture that parapsychology, as it gains scientific acceptance, will be bedeviled by run-away popular interest accompanied by commer- cialization and fraud. In a field where there is, as yet, no possible certification of ability, no limits to what can be claimed, and no scientific understanding whatsoever, it is to be expected that many persons with little or no psychic ability will peddle their wares to an eager public. Sooner or later, this will result in an adverse reaction at a high political level unless vigorous Steps are taken to isolate and to publicly legitimatize the scientific approach. Maintaining the distinction between professional parapsychology and popular occultism is especially difficult because parapsychology is largely dependent for its experimental data upon gifted psychics who do not often understand the scientific method. A still further constriction is the parapsychologist’s wish not to interfere with professional psychics who choose to use their Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0 Zha, Draft 13-Feb-90 page 14 special gifts to help other people even though their efforts are often expressed in an envelope of superstition. Thus, while rejoicing in the encouraging progress of parapsychological studies in China, we hope cordially that more, purely scientific and robust achievements will come in its culturally distinctive way from this great oriental nation. Appendix Psi Studies with "Chinese Characteristics" Chinese leaders have often said that their goal is "modernization with distinct Chinese characteristics." The generally favorable response to psi research by these leaders may stem in great part from the fact that Chinese "somatic science" is not perceived as an adjunct to Western Science but as a peculiarly Chinese endeavor. The following ideas would seem to support this point of view. 1. Historical foundations of somatic science AS previously stated, the three disciplines, Exceptional Functions of the Human Body, qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are considered to have risen from a common back- ground. The ancient Chinese theory of qi, and its systematic approaches constitute most of the foundation. For instance, EFHB is thought to depend on the presence of qi in appropriate parts of the body, and "jinluo" (the traditional "meridian lines network") is the claimed channel for qi. Evidence for the physical existence of meridian lines was recently reported by medical groups (Zhu, 1986; Zhu, et al., 1986; Feng, 1988). These lines are thought to be the basis upon which TCM acts to adjust the human system to fight disease or to improve health, as in acupuncture practice. The theories of TCM, which espouse the interaction of several basic elements such as "qi", "xue (blood)", "yin (negative)", and “yang (positive)", can be used to explain many diseases and symptoms at a descriptive level and to provide guidance for treatment. The theory is some- what idealistic, and its various elements are not measurable. (Unfortunately, Western para- psychology has no better theory to offer.) Dr. Qian Xuesen, who thinks of qi as a kind of informational continuity of essential importance to all living things, emphasizes the necessity for psi researchers to study TCM theory and qigong practices. 2. Avoidance of complex instrumentation Many Chinese résearchers do not like to use complicated scientific instruments directly in front of theif subjects because, reportedly, in many cases, subjects have demonstrated their ability to act upon an instrument itself instead of through its sensing element, so that what really happens is never known. Therefore, the design Strategy of experimenters has been: the simpler, the better. For example, a majority of PK tests are done with simple targets without the involvement of any electronic apparatus to directly monitor the results. These targets, however, must satisfy "three requirements," which have been widely adopted: 1, Targets must, in general, be unique so as to be impossible or extremely difficult to duplicate. 2. Targets must be sealed using tamper-proof methods--“irreversible" is the Chinese term. 3. There must be continuous, on-site, multi-angle observation by experimenters or by video tape. These requirements have led researchers to believe that their results are real, and that the effect is PK acting on the target. When the use of modem instruments becomes unavoidable, it is believed that the experimental protocol must be arranged so that the instruments are “off” when Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0 Zha, Draft 13-Feb-90 page 15 the subject is acting, and while the instruments are “on,” the subject must be away from the site and without any knowledge of when, where, or how the analysis is being performed. 3. Emphasis on gross ("macro") effects. The availability of many able subjects as well as qigong masters who are said to produce gross psi effects almost upon demand seems to have eliminated the need for statistical analysis in much of Chinese somatic science research. Statistical treatment is often used, however, in healing- related studies. Many Chinese researchers are seemingly a little reluctant to conduct Western- style micro-PK experiments, e.g., with random event generators, 4. Psi as a personally developable skill It is assumed as a matter of course in P.R.C. that psychic ability, as well as other benefits, can be developed through the practice of qigong. In the West, by contrast, the literature on improving one’s longtime psi ability is sparse, although the importance of immediate performance- enhancing techniques is generally acknowledged. 5. Search for practical applications Great attention is being paid to possible applications of parapsychology. Qi-emission healing is already widely used with reported clinical effectiveness. Various qigong-imitating mechanical healing devices have been proposed. It is hoped that blind people can be trained to see the world by ESP. Trials in other directions are being carried out with intimations of success. When exposed to qi emissions, Japanese mushrooms reportedly grew 35 percent heavier, on average, in a large scale test in Yunnang Provice. No one knows if any practical breakthrough related to national defense has been achieved. 6. Areas not studied Although investigations of apparitions, poltergeists, hauntings, and survival of death (including mediumship, channelling, and reincarnation) are not formally banned in P.R.C., these topics are often considered to be sensitive, and thus are not reported as being formally studied because of concer about their ideological inappropriateness under the compelling guidelines of Marxist materialism. Moreover, researchers are comparatively ignorant concerning these psychic research topics. Some experimenters briefly investigated such areas earlier, but soon became targets for attack by Mr. Yu Guangyuan and others. It seems that no one has mentioned these topics openly since then. References! Chai Jianyu, & Zhao Yong (1981). A preliminary detection of interactions between the extraordinary function of the human body and matter. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal) 4, 892-894, 936. Chen Hsin, & Mei Lei (1983). Study of the extraordinary function of the human body in China. In W. G. Roll, Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0 Zha, Draft 13-Feb-90 page 16 J. Beloff, & R. A. White (Eds.), Reseach in Parapsychology 1982 (pp. 278-282). Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press. (In English.) Cheng Shouliang, He Muyan, Wang Chu, Zheng Lemin, Zhao Shaoyuan, Zhang Zuqi, Liu Zhaogian, & Wu Baogang (1979). Preliminary report on a special inductive function in the human body (II): The generality question. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 2, 334-335, . Combined Commitice for EFHB Tests (1983). Report on tests of the authenticity of BFHB. Renti Teyigongneng Yanjiu (EFHB Research), 1, 9-22. Deng, L.C. (1981). Letter to editor Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 51, 181-183. (In English.) Dong, Paul (1984). The Four Major Mysteries of Mainiand China. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. (In English.) ; EFHB Research Group of Bambu Traditional Chinese Medicine College of Anhui Province (1980). [personal communication} Peng Junjun (1988, October 12), The First Intemational Qigong Convention. Renmin Ribao (People's Daily) (mainland edition), p.2. Feng Junjun (1989, November 18). World Medical Qigong Institute bom in Beijing. Renmin Ribao (People' s Daily) (overseas edition), p. 4. He Muyan, Shao Shaoyuan, Zhang Zuqi, Luo Liner, Chen Shouliang, Wang Chu, Liu Zhaogian, & Wu Baogang (1980). Further study on the wide occurrence of the special inductive function of the human body. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 3, 683, 674. Honorton, C. (1982). Parapsychology and the mind-body problem. In R. A. McConnell (Ed.), Encounters with Parapsychology (pp. 146-154). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. A. McConnell. (In English.) Hsin Ping (1975). The rampancy of parapsychology and the decline of the superpowers. Scientia Sinica, 18(4), 573-580. (In English.) Hu Yaobang (1982). An instruction about the EFHB question. Renti T. eyigongneng Tongxun (EFHB Bulletin), No. 24 & 25, 1. Huang Hue, Wang Guoshen, & Wei Ming (1989, October 29). A profile of the two qigong conventions. Zhongguo Ttyu Bao (China Sports News), pp. 1,3. Huo Yaohua (1987). Qigong miracles and research developments. Kexue Zhiyou (Your Scientific Friends’ Magazine), 1987, No. 12. [From Xinhua Wenzhai (New China Digest), 1988, No. 2, 172-175] Jen, C.K. (1983). Some demonstrations on extraocular image in China. In R.A. McConnell (Ed.), Parapsychology and Self-Deception in Science (pp. 5-17). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. A. McConnell. (in English.) Li Shengping (1988). New budding in Qigong research. In Qian Cheng & Zhou Xin (Eds.), Yan Xing and Qigong (pp. 308-323). Beijing: Worker's Press. Lin Shuhuang, Zhang Conggi, Liu Huiyi, Huang Yuchun, Zhou Binghui, Zhang Hansin, Shen Xianjia, Dong Zhengwu, Ding Shiyin, Zhang Xuekai, Chen Fang, & Zhuang Zhexiang (1981). Some experiments on the transfer of objects performed by the “unusual functions of the human body." Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 4, 652-661. Lin Shuhuang, Zhou Binghui, Liu Huiyi, Huang Yuchun, Zhan Hansin, Rao Anili, Liu Guonan, Lin Lin, Liu Yicheng, Yang Jianhua, Sun Zhexian, He Qingnian, Zhao Yijun, Zhang Ming, Ding Yizhong, Zhang Yu, Zhuang Ding, Li Zhichao, & Ding Shiyin (1983). PK experiments: Objects moved into or out from sealed containers. Rensi Teyigongneng Yanjiu (EFHB Research), 1, 110-118. Lu Zuying, An Shixian, Li Shengping, & Yan Xing (1987). The qigong extemal emission’s effects on the laser polarization plane. Donfang Qigong (Oriental Qigong), No. 2. , Lu Zuing, Zhang Tianbao, Wang Haidong, Zhu Yunsheng, & Yan Xing (1988). The qigong extemal emission effects on the decay rate of an Am-241 radioactive source. Yan Xing and Qigong, pp. 324-329. Beijing: Workers’ Press: Lu Zuying, Zhao Nanming, Li Shengping, Zheng Changxue, & Yan Xing (1987). Observations on qi emission effects on the structure and properties of some substances. Shengwu Wuli Xuebao (Journal of Biophysics), 3, No. 1. McConnell, R. A. (1983). Introduction to Parapsychology in the Context of Science. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: author. (in English.) McConnell, R. A., (Ed.) (1987). Parapsychology in Retrospect: My Search for the Unicorn. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: editor. (In English.) Nature Journal editorial report (1980). Comrade Qian Xuesen’s visit to our joumal. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 3, 587. Puthoff, H. E. (1983). Report on investigations into “Exceptional Human Body Function" in the People’s Republic of China. In W. G. Roll, J. Beloff, & R. A. White (Eds.), Research in Parapsychology 1982 (pp. 275-278). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press. (In English.) Qigong (1989). Unsigned news item, J0(5), 228. Qigong and Science (1988). Unsigned news item. No. 1, page 4. Qian Cheng & Zhou Xin (1988). Editorial comment in Yan Xing and Qigong (pp. 283-284). Beijing: Workers’ Press. Qian Xuesen (1981). Launching the fundamental researches of human body science. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 4, 483-488. Qian Xuesen (1983). Is it an unbotm scientific revolution? Renti Teyigongneng Yanjiu (EFHB Research), 1, 3-8. Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0
Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0 Zha, Draft 13-Feb-90 page 17 Teng, L. C. (1981), Letter to the editor. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 51, 181-183. (In English.) Yi Yao (1987). Somatic science, the wave of the future? Liao Wong (Prospecis Weekly), 1987, Nos. 48 and 49. [From Xinhua Wenzhai (New China Digest), 1988, No. 2, 169- 173}. Yu Qingtian & Shu Kuoshan (1989, August 5). News item in Renmin Ribao (People’s Daily) (mainland edition), p. 1. Zhi Nan (1986). News item in Qigong, 7(3), 100. Zhu Zongxiang (1986). The advances and prospect in physiological and biophysical approaches to the acupuncture meridian system. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 9, 327-332. Zhu Zongxiang, Xue Ruimin, Zhou Gang, Le Soyu, Yu Shuzhuan, Xie Junguo, & Wang Detian (1986). A study on the low impedance characteristics of the meridian lines before and after amputation. Ziran Zazhi (Nature Journal), 9, 281-287. Deparnnent of Physics and Astronomy Computer Engineering Center University of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon Research Institute Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 Approved For Release 2000/08/08 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600290003-0