Deng, No Fan of Jackie Collins, Says Some Publishers Might Be Executed

BEIJING — Senior leader Deng Xiaoping, angered at a proliferation of steamy Western novels in China, has suggested that some publishers may face execution if they don’t stop publishing “pornographic” material, Chinese editors and publishers said Tuesday.

Deng’s suggestion that publishers of spicy material may face the ultimate punishment has sparked a crackdown on allegedly obscene publications.

“We should bring criminal charges and execute some of these publishers,” Deng said in a memorandum sent to the Press and Publications Administration after several publishers began selling translations of spicy Western novels. The Press and Publications Administration is responsible for ensuring that China’s 1 billion people read only material approved by the government.

Deng’s ire was aroused by the publication in April of “The Fan Club” by American author Irving Wallace--translated as “Rose Dream” in Chinese--by the Yanbian People’s Publishing House in Jilin province.

Three editors of the publishing house were fired and authorities have threatened to bring criminal charges. Officials ordered the destruction of all 400,000 copies of the book.

Another author who angered Deng is Jackie Collins, whose sizzling 1977 novel “Lovers and Gamblers” has been banned.