Looking very unlike a party ideologist in his blue, button-down Oxford shirt and Swatch watch, Mr. Berecz also heralded the coming reign of the market.

Mr. Ligachev, the chief party ideologist, is 10 years older than Mr. Gorbachev and markedly less enthusiastic about domestic liberalization.

"China means you cannot change the economy without changing the political system," a party ideologist said.

They were encouraged last July when Yegor K. Ligachev, the chief party ideologist, called for "constructive glasnost."

Broad Reorganization Mr. Ligachev, the party ideologist, was replaced by Vadim A. Medvedev, 59 years old.

However, the serious party ideologist is provided with reading matter which is oven in reproducing the mythology of Jewish conspiracy.

Although Mr. Li's discussion, and the reality of China's developing economy, suggest strong comparisons with free market capitalism, China's party ideologists blandly dismiss such efforts.

It, in turn, was controlled from within by party ideologists and representatives of the K.G.B. With a few notable exceptions, the system worked.

The chief party ideologist, Vadim A. Medvedev, told a news conference Saturday the issue was not "taboo."

But formally, the position of chief party ideologist belonged to the most prominent of the conservatives, Yegor K. Ligachev.